Community Corner
Hundreds Attend Pro-Immigration Rally in Oak Park
The rally was in support of a village ordinance that would prohibit authorities from contacting Immigration and Customs Enforcement
On Saturday, about 400 people attended a rally in Oak Park in support of a "Welcoming Village Ordinance."
The event in Scoville Park was sponsored by the the West Suburban Action Project, the Democratic Party of Oak Park, and several other groups.
According to West Suburban Action Project literature passed out at the event, the proposed ordinance "prevents officials from contacting, collaborating with, or turning someone over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) based on a person's immigration status." The new policy would eliminate "loopholes" that enable authorities to contact ICE about individuals who have pending warrants, have previous felony convictions, or are listed in a suspected gang member database.
Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Lisa Pintado-Vertner holds a sign at the rally.
"We're getting people to do actions rather than just posting on Facebook," Lisa Pintado-Vertner said. The Oak Park woman said she was one of 400 members in a new group called Oak Park Call to Action, which was formed in December.
Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Photos by Patrick Martin
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