Posted on 04/27/2006 9:29:02 AM PDT by VU4G10
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pro-immigration activists say a nationwide boycott and marches planned for May 1 will flood Americas's streets with millions of Latinos to demand amnesty for illegal immigrants and shake the ground under Congress as it tackles reform.
But while such a massive turnout could make for the largest protests since the civil rights era of the 1960s, not all Latinos, nor their leaders, were comfortable with such militancy -- fearing a backlash in Middle America.
"There will be 2 to 3 million people hitting the streets in Los Angeles alone. We're going to close down Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Tucson, Phoenix, Fresno," said Jorge Rodriguez, a union official who helped organize earlier rallies credited with rattling Congress as it debates the issue.
Immigration has split Congress, the Republican Party and public opinion. Conservatives want the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants to be classified as felons and a fence built along the Mexican border.
Others, including President George W. Bush, want a guest worker program and a path to citizenship. Most agree some reform is needed to stem the flow of poor to the world's biggest economy.
"We want full amnesty, full legalization for anybody who is here (illegally)," Rodriguez said. "That is the message that is going to be played out across the country on May 1."
Organizers of the May Day marches, which have strong support from big labor and the Roman Catholic church, vow that America's major cities will grind to a halt and its economy will stagger as Latinos walk off their jobs and skip school.
Teachers' unions in major cities have said children should not be punished for walking out of class. A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Unified School District said school principals had been told that they should not try to keep students in class but instead should walk with the children to help keep order.
In Chicago, Catholic priests have helped organize protests, sending information to all 375 parishes in the archdiocese.
CRITICS CHARGE INTIMIDATION
Chicago activists predict that the demonstrations will draw 300,000 people -- compared to the 100,000 who turned out on March 10 to clog downtown streets. Minneapolis-based agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. said it will close seven meatpacking plants so workers can participate.
In New York, leaders of the May 1 Coalition said a growing number of businesses had pledged to close and allow their workers to attend a rally in Manhattan's Union Square.
But some Latinos have expressed ambivalence about the boycott and marches, saying they could stir up anti-immigrant sentiment amid an incendiary atmosphere surrounding the issue.
Cardinal Roger Mahony of the Los Angeles archdiocese, who has emerged as an outspoken champion of immigrant rights -- even calling on priests to defy laws aimed at those who would help illegals -- has lobbied against a walkout.
"Personally I believe we can make May 1st a 'win-win' day here in Southern California," Mahony said in a statement. "Go to work, go to school, and then join thousands of us at a major rally afterward."
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the son of a Mexican immigrant who has long fought for immigrant rights, has taken a low profile on the issue. A Villaraigosa spokeswoman said the mayor expects protesters to be "lawful and respectful" and wants children to stay in school.
Critics have accused pro-immigrant leaders of stirring up uninformed young Latinos by telling them that their parents were in imminent danger of being deported and accuse them of trying to bully Congress.
"It's intimidation," Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman volunteer border patrol group, said of the May 1 events. "It's intimidation when a million people march down main streets in our major cities under the Mexican flag."
"It angers the people you are trying to impress," he said. "This will backfire just like the Mexican flag parades backfired."
(Additional reporting by Aarthi Sivaraman in Los Angeles, Dan Trotta in New York and Michael Conlon in Chicago)
May 1st - Good day to round up Illegals and send them packing!
Oh how I wish that were true. Seems to me Islamopignazis like Moussari (sp?) is not a citizen but is having no problem having his day in court.
Futhermore I think that arch-conservative, ha ha, John McInsane has stated that all of our terroist enemies should have the right to our court system so I hardly think a little infraction like sneaking across our borders would prohibit the ACLU ligning up to be their lawyers.
Man this president is committing national suicide with his ridiculous amnesty schemes.
I'm with you on being mad at the Church. Why don't the bishops take the power of the worldwide church and lead a fight against corruption and stagnation in Latin America?
Why don't they fight the root problem?
Yes, Mexico has repressed the Church - the more reason to fight. Apparently, for the bishops, the more reason to fight the U.S.
I am so sick of the bishops and union leaders trying to increase their political pull by demographics - not giving a d*** if their rank and file oppose them, or if they drag the country down. They're the elite, and what serves them, serves us. Right.
Mrs VS
We need a program allowing citizens to receive a reward for reporting employers who hire illegal aliens. Giving a portion of a $50,000 fine (for each illegal hired) to the citizen who reports the employer would encourage citizen participation. The IRS has a similar program that allows citizens to receive a reward for reporting tax cheats.
Actually LAUSD Superintendent Roy Romer sent a letter on Tuesday to all staff telling them that all verification procedures for absences would be in force, and that disciplinary action could be taken if the absence is not authorized.
Obviously, that's not going to affect the true believers, but at least on some level an attempt is being made to keep kids and teachers in class.
That having been said, I'm spending the day Monday with my wife at work in South Central just in case (being semi-retired has its perks)...
Reward for turning in employers of illegal aliens, like the IRS program for turning in tax cheats
That's an excellent idea! Freep your critter (mine's Pence).
Does it mean the Mexican gangs are taking the day off too? No shooting, no drug dealing etc? I sure hope so. A day without crime would be nice. Every legal Mexican I have talked to is upset over these rallies. Most think border control is the answer. Why is it I never hear any govt person talk about the gang problem? I hear how they are all fine working people. I wish they would take a good hard look at what these gangs do. And how our prisons are filled with illegals. Build the wall secure the border and make anyone who wants to come into this country do it the legal way. And now catholic church can forget about getting anymore money or support from this family.
I want to know when the "new civil rights" movement will send out its veiled threats like the "old civil rights" movement does? It looks like another "Long Hot Summer", and the PC nonsense is wearing thin.
I wouldn't be surprised if he did. I expect him to compare the march to the civil rights marches of the 1960s.
We're remodeling both bathrooms in our house. From flooring to light fixtures in the ceiling. I've spoken to hubby and he agrees everything for them will be bought on Monday. We will also grocery shop while we're in town. That's as much as we can do.
Cardinal Roger Mahony of the Los Angeles archdiocese, who has emerged as an outspoken champion of immigrant rights.... AND PEDOPHILE PRIESTS' RIGHTS.
Go away Cardinal Baloney!
The Catholic Church seems to be just as corrupt as politicians and union leadership.
I had a little run-in with some "students" last month so I'll be staying home.
(being semi-retired has its perks)...
Being retired has lots of perks!
ping
Matt 23:1-5 "Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
But all their works they do to be seen by men."
The leadership of the Catholic church is very much corrupt - at least here in the United States. I know you tried to make a zinger by including other denominations but I will agree that their much of their leadership is corrupt as well so your statement has absolutely no impact on me.
It's time for you guys to make some changes - that is unless you agree with the direction of your current leadership.
If I understand what I read correctly, the culprits are to be found in
The American Conference of Bishops.
And that this group has taken a stance that is one of a number of alternatives
in accordance with Catholic theology. (I.E., they could also righteously
promote a policy of fighting illegal immigration because it is done under
the shade of disrespecting legitimate civil authority).
Thus the real disagreement is with a policy followed by a number of influential
leaders...for reason good and/or bad, IMHO.
News reportage on this issue has been spotty. But that's not suprising
as MSM either don't have or have ditched their "religion reporters".
PS: I'm not Catholic. And I will say I've seen a few local Protestant congregations
adopt a "sanctuary" tone just as fervent as that of these Catholic Bishops.
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