Photos by Yaseen Najeeb
Advocates, activists and a large contingent of the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine marched from Milwaukee’s south side to downtown in support of immigrants’ rights.
On May 1, Voces de la Frontera and event co-sponsors made Milwaukee the center of May Day actions across Wisconsin as thousands of immigrant workers, families and supporters gathered on the city’s south side before marching from the Voces office on Historic Mitchell Street to the Federal Building at 517 E. Wisconsin Ave. downtown.
The solidarity event, “Day Without Immigrants: A Day for Solidarity, Truth and Power!” filled streets with activists and advocates calling for an end to local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and the closure of Milwaukee’s detention center.
Organizers urged people to refrain from work, school and shopping, framing the day as a protest and demonstration of immigrants’ role in the economy and community life. Support for the mass march drew participants from the Voces de la Frontera Green Bay office to join the Milwaukee march. In Madison, an additional action at the Library Mall echoed demands for dignity, protection and a pathway to citizenship for all.
According to Christine Neumann-Ortiz, founding executive director of Voces de la Frontera, there were over 3,000 actions that day. Speakers included Kareem Sarsour, son of ISM president Salah Sarsour taken by ICE agents over a month ago, and other community members.
Mariachi Mexico International, a Milwaukee ensemble, played traditional Mexican music in front of the crowd at the Milwaukee Federal Courthouse to end the day’s actions.
