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Jessica Binsch/MEDILL
Parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes gathered on Wednesdy for a nationwide conference call on immigration reform.
Sparse turnout, heavy interest in Chicago for nationwide immigration conference call
by Chika S. Oduahand Jessica Binsch
Nov 19, 2009
Sixteen parishioners sat in the pews of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ravenswood for an unusual call Wednesday evening.
The three representatives had joined in a nationwide conference call, organized by Reform Immigration for America, urging constituents to push for immigration reform.
During two separate half-hour phone calls, the first in English and second in Spanish, they repeatedly encouraged constituents to pressure Congress to approve comprehensive immigration reform legislation. Gutierrez is expected to introduce it next month.
“I thought it was wonderful,” said the Rev. Michael Shanahan, pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes, 4640 N. Ashland Ave.
“Their purpose was to broaden the sense of grassroots movement and to engage as many as possible.”
Five leaders in the Muslim and Arab community gathered in Bridgeview. Reema Ahmad, from the Muslim advocacy group CAIR-Chicago, said she had expected 15 participants.
“I think it’s a very effective strategy,” Mah said of the call. “It brings people together. People want more information, they want to feel empowered, they want to know what they can do.”
In Bridgeport, 12 Africans huddled around a table in the office of the United African Organization. Lisa Simeone, the organization’s research advocacy policy coordinator, was pleased with Gutierrez’s effort.
“They knew they were talking to immigrants—and that’s hard to do,” Simeone said. “This call will help to catalyze conversations that will happen locally.”
Martine Apodaca, communications director of Reform Immigration for America Coalition, said the call was meant to organize grassroots efforts for immigration reform.
“It’s about the people who are going to do the work and going to be pushing for immigration reform,” he said Wednesday.
By the end of the call, 16,000 lines had tuned in nationwide. In Chicago, activists are waiting for the next step in immigration reform.
“The fact of the matter,” Ahmad said, “is that we all have something to lose if nothing is done.”
