Message offers close link between two struggles

Martin Luther King Jr.'s message was brought to a Lombard temple Sunday.

Jorge Mujica, union organizer, journalist and one of the lead organizers of the March 10, 2007, immigration protest in Chicago, spoke about social justice and civil rights Sunday at Congregation Etz Chaim.

Mujica champions equality for immigrants. Just like Martin Luther King Jr. mainly fought for equality of African-Americans, Mujica continually works toward equality for Hispanics.

"This is truly a very good day to link two struggles together," Mujica said. "It's the same struggle. In this case, it's mostly the Latino community. Because of the fact that we were born somewhere else, it's led us to be discriminated against."

Social Action Committee Member Lori Challinor of Roselle said Mujica's message applies to the Jewish community, too.

"As a community of immigrants, we feel a special responsibility to protect our newest immigrants," Challinor said.

Mujica, of Berwyn, said he wants to keep the issues of social justice and civil rights at the forefront of conversations and discussions.

"I think immigration is a very unknown issue, and to me, it's very necessary to keep talking about it," he said.

Judy Gardner of Downers Grove was thrilled to have Mujica speak.

"It's interesting that a Hispanic speaker is talking about Martin Luther King to a Jewish audience," she said. "I think that's fascinating on its own."

Congregation Etz Chaim does Martin Luther King programs annually. This year the social action committee invited Mujica because they're trying to focus more on social justice, said temple vice president Garry Gardner of Downers Grove.

Barry Mehrman, of West Chicago, said he's made an effort to attend the temple's Martin Luther King programs.

"This is one of the events that I haven't missed," he said. "It's a great venue to bring our students to."