300-400 reach jail

The three-day, 53-mile march from Chicago to the McHenry County Jail arrived late this afternoon. The group enlarged at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Woodstock, and an estimated 300-400 walked from St. Mary's to the McHenry County Jail, where there is a large immigration wing that was built to hold detainees for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement service.


I arrived at St. Mary's about an hour after the group of marchers arrived. Shortly after that, they formed a line and started for the courthouse and jail complex at 2200 N. Seminary, Woodstock. As luck would have it, the 4:48PM Metra was at the depot and the gates, lights and warning bells were operating in fine fashion.

The group then walked north on Clay, east on Donovan and north on Route 47. Woodstock Police provided intersection assistance and stopped traffic so that the walkers could cross Route 47 safely and stay together and also cross intersections on 47.

It was along Route 47 that I spotted a woman who was walking with a cane. When I asked about her, I learned that she had walked the entire 53 miles. I also noticed that her right ankle was wrapped with tape. What amazing endurance and perseverance!

Today's march gave me a new awareness of the importance for this country to address the immigration issue and attack the hard questions of what to do about the large number of people in this country illegally. One of the organizers and I had a good conversation for about eight blocks, and she used the phrase, Pathway to Citizenship. The march today was not about amnesty, and it was not solely about the new Arizona enforcement law.

This morning Cal Skinner wrote about the march through Crystal Lake and mentioned passion. I wonder how many readers would walk 53 miles for a cause in which you believe. Do you even believe in any cause strongly enough to put yourself on the line?

Upon arrival at the courthouse the group proceeded to the parking lot in front of the Administrative Building at 667 Ware Road.

After the vigil and prayers, the group disbanded, with a number going to the Woodstock Depot to catch trains for home.