Hundreds of Hispanics Protest in California

Associated Press ^ | ROBERT JABLON

[stevie_d_64]

LOS ANGELES - Hundreds of Hispanics protested the repeal of a law allowing illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses, taking to the streets Friday in a statewide boycott of schools and businesses.

AP Photo

The daylong boycott was intended to highlight the economic contribution of California's Hispanic community, the nation's largest.

About 400 people marched into East Los Angeles, waving signs that read, in Spanish, "Yes, we can" and "We want licenses now."

"People come to this country for opportunity. That's what we're fighting for," said Pablo Lopez, 44. Lopez said he was an illegal immigrant for 12 years and drove without a license, but was always afraid of getting stopped and deported.

"We come here to work hard and we have family that we have to protect. If we don't have a license, we won't be able to do that," he said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) fulfilled a major campaign promise last week when he repealed the license law, signed in September by then-Gov. Gray Davis (news - web sites).

The extent of the boycott was not immediately clear. At 11.9 million, Hispanics make up about a third of the population of California.

The protest was planned to coincide with the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Planned events included a march of school children in Los Angeles and rallies in San Jose and San Francisco.

At least one school system tried to pre-empt a student walkout. The Santa Ana district offered to raffle off a color TV for those who came to school, and sent home a note to parents urging them not to keep their children home.

In downtown San Jose, more than 150 people set out on a march to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Jesse Castaneda, 38, said Friday's strike is just a start.

"It's kind of awakening a sleeping giant," said Castaneda, who is Mexican-American. "They talk about illegal immigration, and they want to get rid of all the illegal immigrants. What would happen at a state level if that were to happen? They'll realize that we are needed here."

Another target of the boycott was Clear Channel, which owns 1,200 radio stations nationwide and broadcasts a Los Angeles-based talk show that Hispanics say frequently attacks immigrant rights. Clear Channel did not immediately return calls.

___

Associated Press writers Deborah Kong and Gillian Flaccus contributed to this report.

[stevie_d_64]

Well, all I can say is that it looks like the INS missed another opportunity here...

But hey, I only tend to make sense most of the time...

Later, Steve

[gubamyster]

ping

[skeeter]

Immigration poll:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/

[Carry_Okie]

Hundreds? Out of how many?

Best news I've seen all day.

[AGreatPer]

Wonder how many were legal?

[Dr. Frank fan]

"Hundreds", huh?

WOW.

That settles that. Let's repeal the repeal! Can't have "hundreds" of Hispanics disagreeing with something.

[sgtbono2002]

Round em up, ship em out.

[cynicom]

Line em up and move em out to Mexico, yo.

[SAMWolf]

"People come to this country for opportunity. That's what we're fighting for," said Pablo Lopez.

Try coming to MY country LEGALLY to find your opportunity.

[Akira]

Well, today the administration backed Ridge's idea of amnesty, so watch them start really pouring across the border now. It's simply amazing.

[Happy2BMe]

"At 11.9 million, Hispanics make up about a third of the population of California."

WE DON'T NEED NO STEEEKIN' BORDERS!"

---

[ladyinred]

Hee Hee Hee!
What nerve these people have!
They obviously have no fear of the INS!
Wonder why that is? Hmmm.

[Doc Savage]

Hey Cisco! Oh Pancho!!!

[Az Joe]

There must have been a sea of American flags were there.(sarcasm off)

[Dog Gone]

BWAAAAHAHAHAHA

hundreds

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Well, today the administration backed Ridge's idea of amnesty, so watch them start really pouring across the border now.

That's the one thing that gets missed in all this. Everytime even a whisper of amnesty is heard illegal immigration increases.

We are encouraging people from around the world to break our laws.

[martin_fierro]

Hundreds of Hispanics Protest in California

And millions of others did not.

[skeeter]

About 400 people marched into East Los Angeles, waving signs that read, in Spanish, "Yes, we can" and "We want licenses now."

Kinda runs contrary to the image humble, happy-to-be-here hard working migrant stereotype.

Good. The more they show their true nature the faster Americans will realize their being screwed by this administration's insane (non)policy towards illegals.

[VU4G10]

Freep this Lou Dobbs Poll: Amnesty for illegal aliens living and working in the United States?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1039443/posts

[Auntie Dem]

This could only be a half-a$$ed boycott unless they also refused free medical care (which I can't get), and didn't go into the welfare office to pick up another check (which I also can't get).

I would love to take spanish classes so I could communicate better with these people, but I don't have the time, because I have to work 14 hours a day in my business just to pay the taxes that are forced from me to give benefits to illegals who refuse to learn english.