Batavia preparing for Labor Day immigration march
Posted Thursday, August 17, 2006
Batavia officials think a Labor Day immigration march and rally will be the largest demonstration the city has ever seen.
Organizers expect 500 marchers will be joined by 5,000 demonstrators bused in for a rally from 1 to 4 p.m. in front of U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s office, Police Chief Gary Schira said at a city services committee meeting Wednesday. In addition, Schira said the city expects 1,000 counter-demonstrators.
Also, the holiday will probably attract families to the bike path and public walk next to River Street.
If the estimates prove true, the crowds could put a strain on the area.
“This is easily the largest demonstration we’ve seen. I am not sure the River Street area can handle 5,000 or 6,000 people,” Schira said.
He said the city is prepared, and a buffer zone will physically separate the demonstrators, he said.
Based on the estimates, those demonstrators not marching in the immigrant worker justice walk would arrive in roughly 100 buses, which would be parked on River Street.
Batavia police will require assistance from other departments and the Kane County sheriff’s office, Schira said. He did not have a cost estimate for the extra help.
About 500 people will march from Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood through the western suburbs to Hastert’s office over three days. Schira said the time is meant to signify how long it takes to cross into the country from Mexico.
He said the marchers will spend Sunday night in West Chicago and plan to march into the city along Fabyan Parkway. The march would then turn south on Route 25 and proceed to Logan Street. From Logan it would go west to River Street Schira said. However, he said the route could change.
Schira said he would announce a timetable and a street-closing plan as plans become more concrete. Businesses on River Street probably will feel a strain because the street will be closed for the demonstration, he said.
The city would like the demonstrators to reduce the city’s cost by providing portable toilets and water.