Madison – Mayor Dave Cieslewicz made the following remarks at today’s “A Day Without Latinos” march and rally in Madison:

Remarks at Brittingham Park kickoff:

On behalf of the people of Madison, welcome to our community.

I would like to thank the organizers of this peaceful demonstration for all their efforts.

Today, across the country, a message will be sent loud and clear that most Americans welcome immigrants to our country. After all, we are a nation of immigrants. The 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US have come here seeking a better life, to work and to contribute to a better America. Our economy depends on their contributions and our culture is enriched by their presence.

Madison today is a better place to live in because of the contributions of immigrants – Latinos and others – to our community. We hope that the rest of the country recognizes what we know here in Madison: that proper immigration reform is not about building walls, but about building a bridge to welcome the millions of law-abiding people that today are asking only to contribute as full members of our society.

Remarks at State Capitol Steps:

On behalf of the people of our city, welcome to Madison. Today I stand with you against the assault by extremists in our country.

America is a nation of immigrants. It is a heritage we should be proud of, and is a heritage that makes us a stronger nation. Immigrants – Latinos and many others – contribute immensely to our economy, to our culture and to our way of life. Fear mongers in Washington would turn their backs on our immigrant heritage and the contributions of immigrants today. They would instead make felons of them, and build a wall to keep them out. This is part of an isolationist philosophy that has taken hold among many in Washington D.C.

What we really need is an immigration policy that provides a path for the legalization of undocumented workers. Let’s not build another Iron Curtain along our Southern border. Instead, let us build a bridge to formally welcome the millions of law-abiding people that today are asking only to contribute as full members of our society.