Immigrants stage massive protest in Chicago

Immigrants stage massive protest in Chicago

CHICAGO, March 10 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Mexican and other immigrants held a massive rally in Chicago on Friday to protest proposed changes to U.S. immigration laws.

Waving flags and carrying signs reading "We're people, not criminals" and "Working hands do not deserve handcuffs," they streamed on foot into the downtown area, overwhelming a square at the federal court house where the rally was held.

Chicago police said from 75,000 to 100,000 people were involved in the march and rally.

The target of the protest was legislation sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner, a Republican from Wisconsin, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year and is being considered in the U.S. Senate along with competing proposals.

His bill would make it illegal to assist an undocumented immigrant, something that priests, ministers and other social workers have said would turn those who routinely help immigrants into criminals.

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