Over a Hundred Protest Congressman's Anti-Immigrant, Discriminatory Policies (VIDEO)

Over a hundred immigrant rights activists and community leaders rallied outside the City Club of Chicago yesterday to protest Congressman Mark Kirk’s policies while, inside, the congressman gave a speech to a predominantly Republican crowd. Protesters expressed opposition to Kirk’s extreme and discriminatory stances on immigration. Some policies supported by Kirk include the racial profiling of Arab and Muslim men, sending condoms to Mexico to curb immigration, and criminalizing anyone who has helped undocumented immigrants in their daily lives - such as priests, nuns, doctors, teachers, and family members.

Protesters marched in yellow vests while carrying posters and chanting, “What do we want? Solutions! When do we want it? Now!”

Meanwhile, CAIR-Chicago Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab, attended the luncheon inside the City Club and posed a question to Congressman Kirk during the subsequent press conference. Rehab asked Kirk: why he endorses “racial profiling,” what he thinks of immigration reform, and what he thinks should be done about the 15 million undocumented residents of the United States.

In response, Kirk recanted previous statements, saying, “I’m against racial profiling.” He then said, “…on immigration reform I think first we need to control the southern border,” and went on to discuss the serious threats posed by violent Mexican drug cartels. Kirk did not offer any perspectives on the issue of undocumented residents.

To see a video of Kirk's response click HERE

Copyright © 2009 CAIR-Chicago