Two Highland Park residents who work near where parade-goers were killed both emigrated from Mexico more than two decades ago in search of a better life. They reflect on what they witnessed and what it means to live in America today.
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — Benny Martinez watched in horror from her lawn as screaming parade-goers came streaming down the hill, fleeing a gunman who opened fire on her beloved small-town Independence Day celebration.
She grabbed her 9-year-old daughter and ran back to their two-story home in this Chicago suburb before ushering strangers into her backyard to take shelter.
