CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript: Interview with Dick Durbin

Interview

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RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. We're about 45 minutes away from this protest starting and already a large crowd is gathered. Senator Durbin is also here. And of course, you see people starting to gather here.

There's a lot of passion from people in terms of this subject. What are you hoping to get the message out to the country today from a protest like this.

SENATOR DICK DURBIN (D), ILLINOIS: Look at these families. On the hottest day of the year in Chicago, bringing their kids out here and marching for other families. Two-thirds of the American people have said the zero tolerance policy of Donald Trump, separating children from their families, is just plain wrong.

These folks are going to walk in the streets today to make that point which is what you do in a democracy.

YOUNG: Look, you're a senator. You obviously can have your voice heard but there are some who feel very frustrated right now with not being able to make change. We've been talking immigration for quite some time. What can happen? What can be changed now so people can have some sort of relief?

DURBIN: Let me tell you. I believe in two things. I believe in the goodness and values of the American people and I believe in the constitution. The constitution tells us in November, we get a chance to speak.

And I'm asking people across the United States, voters participate, be part of this election. Don't stay home and curse the television -- sorry. But come on out and use your citizen's right to vote. That's the most important thing.

YOUNG: When I walk around here, there's a lot of people who are passionate. People brought their children here. They're walking around with signs.

[11:10:02] They obviously want people like yourself to do something. What should you tell the other members of Congress at this point? What should they do to make some change happen?

DURBIN: They can either listen today or they're going to hear the message in November. I think the American people are going to speak loudly, that they're sick and tired of what's happening in terms of this immigration policy.

Look at ICE -- what a group of incompetents. At this point they're focused more on toddlers than terrorists. They want -- instead of deporting felons, they want to deport that are being persecuted by criminal gangs.

We're in the middle of the worst drug epidemic in our history and instead of focusing on stopping bad drugs from coming in and stopping dirty drug money from going out they're focusing on separating kids from their families.

YOUNG: Senator -- I hear the passion in your voice. What are you going to tell these people today? And how has this affected you personally?

DURBIN: Here's the good news for this crowd. No politicians will be speaking. There are going to be members of the clergy and those representing the families. We'll be in the crowd as we should be, I hope taking back the message to Washington and it's time to put an end to this cruel and incompetent policy.

YOUNG: Senator -- thank you so much for giving me your time.

DURBIN: You got it.

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