Posted on 03/23/2006 4:11:47 PM PST by NormsRevenge
MILWAUKEE - Thousands of people filled the streets Thursday for what was billed as "A Day Without Latinos" to protest efforts in Congress to target undocumented workers.
Police estimated that more than 10,000 people joined the demonstrations and march to downtown Milwaukee. Organizers put the number at 30,000.
"We came to work, not to be discriminated against," said Juan Hernandez, who said his boss gave him and more than a dozen other restaurant workers permission to join the protest. "We want to be equal."
About 90 Latino-owned businesses on the south side were closed for all or part of the day in support, according to Voces de la Frontera, the rally's organizer. About a dozen businesses in Racine and Kenosha also closed as several hundred people protested in downtown Racine.
The protesters oppose a bill that passed the U.S. House in December that would make it a felony to be illegally in the United States. The bill also would impose new penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants and would erect fences along one-third of the U.S.-Mexican border.
The title of the demonstration is borrowed from the 2004 mockumentary "A Day Without A Mexican," which considers what would happen to California if all Latinos there suddenly disappeared.
Wearing shirts that proclaimed "We are not criminals" and waving American, Mexican and other flags, thousands of people young and old listened to speakers from the business and religious communities and political activists.
Raul Alcantara was among nearly 100 staffers and teachers who skipped work at the Milwaukee Technical College to attend the rally.
"We fully disagree because this country is built on immigrants," said Alcantara, a math teacher originally from Mexico. "We will fight together."
They also rallied against the prospect of illegal immigrants losing their driving privileges in the next few years. A new federal law requires states to verify whether drivers license applicants are American citizens or legal residents by 2008.
"We never close our eyes to any injustice against any human being," said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, president of Voces de la frontera, the rally's organizer.
Latinos in Wisconsin? Whodathunkit?!?!
"We are not criminals"
Must be there to make Monterey Jack.
Lots of illegals here in Michigan as well. It's kinda funny because none of them trust anybody. The legals have been here since WWII and don't want no stinkin illegals undercutting their wages so they turn them in.
LEGAL Immigrants. NOT socialists.
"We have room but for one flag... We have room but for one language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty, and that is the loyality to the American people.” - Theodore Roosevelt
""We came to work, not to be discriminated against," said Juan Hernandez, who said his boss gave him and more than a dozen other restaurant workers permission to join the protest. "We want to be equal."
First off, Juan.....try OBEYING the laws of this land from the moment you decide that you want to come here.
The truth is you folks don't want to be "equal". You want to be treated better that those that have come before you....in the manner that was allowed by the LAW.
You want US to adopt your culture, your language, your food, your music, and your heritage, while ignoring ours.
Take your "anchor-babies" and go back to the 3rd world cesspool that you came from and stop trying to bring our country down.
We'll get along just fine without you.
People in hell are requesting ice cold lemonade.
What part of illegal don't you understand?
Go back to Mexico, apply for a visa, wait your turn, come here and get a green card, become a citizen and then we'll talk about equal.
"The protesters oppose a bill that passed the U.S. House in December that would make it a felony to be illegally in the United States. The bill also would impose new penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants and would erect fences along one-third of the U.S.-Mexican border."
If they're not in this country illegally, then why be upset? It won't effect them. If they are here breaking our laws, then they need their a$$es kicked all the way back to Mexico.
sw
Whatever the case; I'm glad he did.
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