From the early morning hours on May 1, 2006, workers were setting up waiting in Chicago’s Union Park (between Odgen Ave., above, and Ashland Ave. stretching south from Lake St.). In addition to workers from the City of Chicago, who were deployed by the city after arrangements for the march had been completed, members of more than a dozen trade unions handled march preparations and logistics.

Other contributions to the planning came from immigrant rights groups,hundreds of curches, and dozens of businesses that serve immigrantcommunities and utilize the services of immigrant workers. Above: Marchers and police await the beginning of the march at around 11:00 a.m. on Ogden Ave. at Randolph St. Substance photo by George N. Schmidt.

The earliest of the massivive marches (Chicago, March 10, see the April 2006 Substance) had promoted widespread discussion about the use of national flags. By May Day, the most prominent flag was the flag of the United States, but march organizers and participants also insured that the flags of dozens of nations — representing the homelands of millions of Americans — were proudly displayed. Above: Union Park at 11:00 a.m. Substance photo by George N. Schmidt. 

Hundreds of marchers were pushed along the four-miles route in wheelchairs and strollers. The non-violent day of protest and intense preparations by march organizers and Chicago officials insured that there were no problems for the marchers, who ranged in age from a few days to nearly 100 years old. Schmidt photo.