Posted on 05/09/2005 11:53:57 AM PDT by Pikamax
Boycott planned to protest proposed state immigration laws
PHOENIX -- Organizers of an economic boycott are urging Hispanics to stay home from work and not spend money on Tuesday as a way to protest laws aimed at making life in Arizona more difficult for illegal immigrants.
The boycott is the latest in a string of grass-roots protests since November's passage of Proposition 200, a ballot measure intended to ensure illegal migrants don't vote or receive certain public benefits.
"We're trying to prove we are a vital part of the community, that our workers and our consumers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect," said organizer Elias Bermudez, executive director of Centro de Ayuda (Center of Help), a business that helps immigrants prepare immigration and tax documents.
However, many Hispanics say they weren't aware of the boycott, despite heavy publicity in local Spanish-language newspapers and radio. Others say they are sympathetic to the cause but can't afford to lose a day of work or are afraid of getting fired.
"What these leaders don't understand is that we can't leave our jobs," said Garcia, 33, a Mexican immigrant who installs drywall. "We have a responsibility to get the work done.
Dozens of measures are pending in the state Legislature, including one to restrict the use of Mexican ID cards and another to require immigrant students to pay out-of-state college tuition.
The Hispanic workforce drives Arizona's construction, restaurant and hotel industries, though the numbers are unclear, said Harry Garewal, president and chief executive officer of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He estimated the state could lose at least $54 million if all Hispanics closed their wallets and purses for a day.
State Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, who is a sponsor of many of the bills, says undocumented immigrants cost Arizona more than they contribute. The boycott will only breed contempt in a state already divided over illegal immigration, he said.
"(Mexico) needs to fix their country and not allow (President) Vicente Fox to export his problems to the United States," Pearce said. "No longer can we be the dumping ground for Mexico."
___
As if all Hispanics would. The legal ones are plenty anti-illegal. This clown's trying to confuse "Hispanic" with "illegal immigrant".
Hells Bells! Are we hispanics or Americans first? What other laws do you wanna disobey? How 'bout if government officials decided not to cut welfare checks? Or Cops decided not to protect the victims of crime? Let's see what really happens, maybe this protest won't float. Will you listen then?
As Rush has always taught us, do the math.
If Hispanics didn't spend a dime on one day, this guy estimates the state losses $54MM that day. So, multiply 54MM by 365 and you get $19.71 BILLION.
I find this number beyond realistic.
I keep reading these articles about people planning one day boycotts and how much of an effect that will have on the economy, which I think is rediculous. If you boycott for just one day, the same money will probably be spent the day before or the day after. And effective boycott requires time.
"As if all Hispanics would. The legal ones are plenty anti-illegal. This clown's trying to confuse "Hispanic" with "illegal immigrant"."
Thank you! I'm tired of being lumped in with the illegal crowd. What the press fails to understand is the fact that hispanics who have been here fro hundreds of years resent illegals. We support the measures the AZ Legislature wants to pass, and we ain't boycotting s#@t!!!!!
The people here who really do just want to work, don't have time for the leftist college la raza types.
I have a better idea; they boycott buying in America altogether by going home.
I can see how it must be insufferably annoying. And of course the people perpetrating this lie are the ones prattling on about "racism".
I hear the illegals are going to send all their earnings back to Mexico in protest.
Think of it - US businesses will lose out on ALL that revenue.
No he's not. He's a Mexican illegal alien.
As to "dominating the construction industry in Arizona", that's a rather recent development. It came at the expense of Arizonans who used to dominate said industry.
But what the hell, right? They were just lazy Americans, according to the Open Borders gang here. They just wanted too damn much money to work outside in that 115 deg heat. Better to get some darkies who can't vote and pretty much are stuck with their lot in life to do the job.
Wait....I've heard that rationale somewhere before...where was it....darn, gonna come to me soon...
BUMP
[[The Hispanic workforce drives Arizona's construction, restaurant and hotel industries, though the numbers are unclear, said Harry Garewal, president and chief executive officer of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.]]
The only thing that these clowns drive is an automobile....... llegally and without insurance.
They make it sound like the US economy would collapse without illegal aliens from Mexico. Utter BS!
That's right. People want to make this an ethnic issue. It's not. I don't care if they are Canadians, Mexicans, Italians or whatever. Lawbreakers are lawbreakers. I can't afford to support myself let alone people from foreign countries.
I know plenty of anti-illegal Hispanics. Prop 187 was supported by at least 40% of California Hispanics at the time.
thank you :-)
The ironic thing is the liberals who support illegal immigration for their own selfish needs are treating Mexico's welfare class like indentured servants. They are the real racists.
"Organizers of an economic boycott are urging Hispanics to stay home from work and not spend money on Tuesday as a way to protest laws aimed at making life in Arizona more difficult for illegal immigrants."
Why geez, I guess if they're all going to stay home for the day then all the illegals won't:
1. Drive cars without auto insurance and won't get into any accidents where Arizona's taxpayers will have to foot the bill.
2. Commit crimes, so Arizona's taxpayers won't have to spend money to (a) arrest (b) provide defense attorneys or (c) pay to house, cloth, feed and educate them while incarcerated.
3. Collect welfare (WIC, unemployment, subsidized utilities, etc) at taxpayer expense.
4. Get sick or injured on the job, so Arizona's taxpayers won't have to pay for doctors, surgeons, emergency room staff salaries or supplies.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.