April 20, 2006, 11:29AM
In Houston, organizers say they are neither for nor against joining the May 1 plans
By SAMANTHA LEVINE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON - A nationwide boycott and general strike planned for May 1 to push for immigrant rights is falling out of favor with many advocacy groups because they fear a public opinion backlash.
"We would be throwing the atomic bomb ... the last weapon in our arsenal," Jaime Contreras, chairman of the National Capital Immigration Coalition, said Thursday at a briefing for the news media.
Contreras, who helped organize a march in Washington as part of the pro-immigration rallies around the country April 10, said a boycott was premature because immigration legislation is pending in Congress. ...
For instance, he said, a strike and a boycott on purchases by immigrants could lead to losses for some of the business that are backing legalization for illegal immigrants. Also, demonstrators could lose their jobs if they skip work.
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Let's hear a big "DUH" for Jaime..
Also...
Fearing Backlash, Some Immigration Activists Aren't Backing Boycott
By Darryl Fears
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 20, 2006; A13
The boycott idea emerged in early April from activists of Latino Movement USA, and the anti-war ANSWER Coalition. Immigration leaders at Thursday's briefing and elsewhere said those organizations were no longer part of the national immigration reform movement. ANSWER spokesman Carlos Alvarez said no group or coalition owns the issue of immigration reform.
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Thanks to Captain's Quarters for both links.
"We would be throwing the atomic bomb ... the last weapon in our arsenal," Jaime Contreras, chairman of the National Capital Immigration Coalition
That's a rather strange metaphor...
Obviously, they are playing things by ear and are in full radar mode.
Thank you for posting these LaDita!