Reporting from Philadelphia.
Story and photos by Jeff Gammage | Philadelphia Inquirer | FEB. 14, 2022
Immigrants in the Philadelphia region joined the national “A Day Without Immigrants” protests on Monday, staying out of work and school and skipping consumer purchases to demonstrate their essential role in society and their frustration with the lack of systemic federal reform.
About 50 people — families with children, supporters, and advocacy-group leaders — rallied at LOVE Park in Center City on a frozen, 20-degree mid-morning, marching to circle City Hall and then sharing calls to action at the Municipal Services Building. About two dozen people took part in a second demonstration outside the municipal building in Upper Darby.
Protests were scheduled in front of the White House and in at least 15 cities to call for reform, and particularly for President Joe Biden to keep his promise to create a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumentedpeople in the United States.
Organizers set the event for one of the biggest sales holidays of the year, with consumers expected to spend $23.9 billionon Valentine’s Day cards, candy, dinners, jewelry, and gifts, according to the National Retail Federation, the Washington-based trade association, and data firm Prosper Insights & Analytics.
