Pro-immigration activist Juan Gonzalez began a 350-mile journey to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Monday, bringing a few credit cards, some clothes and water.
Gonzalez and a handful of supporters rallied at Tenochtitlan Square in Pilsen before starting the walk, which promotes immigration policy reform, respect for immigrants and refugees, and peace among all U.S. citizens.
“I see so much chaos around and so much divisions . . . and the only solution to all this chaos is that we need to step up and get the job done,” he said. “We need to get all the religions united, so we’re all at peace and after that, the nation will be at peace too. We could bring it home to our families, and then in our communities too. We are all human beings, we should all have freedom and human rights.”
The 25-day march, led by the Rev. Jose Landaverde of the Diocese of Quincy, is meant to send a message to Republican leaders and politicians to stop racism and xenophobia and to advocate for immigrant and refugee rights.
“The immigration system is completely broken,” said immigration attorney Juan Solis, who spoke at the rally. “There is no solution short of a humane and comprehensive immigration law that we are advocating and we must communicate that to our politicians — Democrats and Republicans — that the atmosphere that they are creating, this hate and xenophobia, is having consequences on immigrants.”
“Historically, immigrants have been blamed for the economic crisis and problems in our society,” Solis said. “Immigrants built this society. This is a nation of refugees. We must open our arms and welcome those that are in need.”
Landaverde said he plans to meet up with at least 15 additional travelers upon arriving at the first stop in South Chicago on Monday evening. He expects there will be 75 to 100 marchers by the time they reach the convention, which runs from July 18 to 21.
While Gonzales has not physically prepared himself for the march, he said he “feels great” and knows they’ll get there.
“This country is full of immigrants,” Gonzalez said. “We’re the ones that lift up this country and we deserve the right to have a freedom of living anywhere we want.”
