CHICAGO—Some 80 workers, youth and immigrant rights activists packed a press conference here November 16 to support 13 mostly student activists from around the country who were arrested the day before during a protest at the Alabama state capitol building in Montgomery against that state’s new anti-immigrant law. Martín Unzueta, 57, a longtime advocate for the rights of immigrant workers here was among them.

After two days in jail, the 13 were released on $300 bail. Eleven, including Unzueta, were charged with disorderly conduct for participating in a “sit-in” following a rally of 100 at the capitol. Two others were charged with trespassing.

The press conference was organized by the Immigrant Youth Justice League. “They are prosecuting workers, not criminals,” said Rodrigo Martínez, from the Chicago Community and Workers’ Rights group.

“I am undocumented and no longer afraid,” said Emmanuel Cordova, from the Latin@ Youth Action League in DuPage County. “I stand in solidarity with the students in Alabama who can’t get utilities, who can’t live normal lives.”

—ALYSON KENNEDY