Posted on 04/27/2006 5:47:53 PM PDT by calcowgirl
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Some Democratic state lawmakers are planning to walk off the job Monday - just as millions of others around the country are expected to - in support of immigrants' rights.
The Democratic-controlled Senate, on a party-line vote, approved a resolution supporting the May 1 "Great American Boycott 2006," which supporters say will serve as a warning to Congress to avoid punitive immigration reform.
Organizers believe the boycott, in which large numbers of students also are expected to participate, will show just how vital immigrants are to America's major cities and the nation's economy.
"These immigrants are fighting to embrace this nation," said Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys. "What a good time this is when people can express their anger, their frustration, desires, hopes and dreams, all for the purpose of becoming American. That's a good thing."
Republicans voted unanimously against the resolution, saying it encourages lawlessness.
"The Legislature should not be encouraging students to leave school," said Southern California Sen. Dave Cox. "And, it's irresponsible to recommend to people they leave their jobs, especially when many can lose those jobs, whether they obtained them illegally or not."
Earlier this week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, an immigrant from Austria, implored people to avoid the boycott.
"There are only downsides," he said. "It's bad for workers because some of them will get fired. It's bad for people who they work for because they will not have the workers scheduled to do the job. And it's bad for children if they don't go to school. The way you show that you can become a great contribution to this country and state is by going to school and being responsible."
The resolution to support the boycott isn't supported by all Democrats. Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, called on immigrants to stay on the job unless they get their employers' permission, and for children to stay in school. He refused to take up the Senate resolution, and allowed his chambers' own resolution, which would have called on Congress to support immigrants' rights, to die.
Still, Nunez plans on flying down to Los Angeles to take part in marches, after he checks in at the Assembly Monday morning. Members are supposed to be at the Capitol on session days, which are Mondays and Thursdays.
"When you're with thousands of your constituents and you're talking about the very issues at the forefront of their concerns," said Steve Maviglio, Nunez's deputy chief of staff, "I think you're being an effective legislator."
Dick Ackerman, the Senate Republican minority leader from Tustin, said lawmakers should set an example by showing up to work.
"They should be prepared to do the state's work," he said. "A boycott is not taking care of the state's work."
Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, voted in favor of the resolution, but called on parents to urge their children to stay in school.
Teachers should use the boycott as a way to "discuss the value, the history, the conflicts and the enrichment of our society that has come about with the waves of immigration in our time," said Torlakson, a former educator. "But we should also urge students to stay in school to underscore the value of education and use it as an opportunity to learn in a school setting."
But, Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, who authored the resolution, said the boycott will be part of history that will one day be recounted in classrooms across the country.
"It's one day out of 365, out of their lives," she said, "for immigrants to peacefully tell the country that we matter, we want justice."
Rallies are planned for Monday in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland, Concord and other cities.
"Some Democratic state lawmakers are planning to walk off the job Monday - just as millions of others around the country are expected to - in support of immigrants' rights."
They, too, should lose their jobs!
Take out LA and California becomes conservative even with the Bay area intact.
Thanks for following through on this, calcowgirl.
They are just showing themselves to be self-righteous clowns.
But, they're making a mockery of our supposedly representative government in the process.
Great! Time to get things done! No Rats around.
"Mexicans Say U.S. IS Racist"“the Gringos who favor tighter border security are racist.”
US Citizens know who the racists are and it's not US citizens but MEXICAN (illegal or legal) Traitors and their Criminal Traitor Organizers and Employers that hire them either at normal or lower rates of pay. If they're not picking lettuce, they do not belong in US.
Gringo is racist!! Ignorant language and lack of knowledge amoung these marchers is proof that we do not want them here. Takes to long to teach people to love US first, first, first.
Some Democratic state lawmakers are planning to walk off the job Monday......in support of immigrants' rights"
Yep, Arrest them all for "High TREASON" What about ILLEGAL INVADER Rights?? What are they???
"trying desparately to equate.....with Civil Rights Movement of the 1960"s
In the 1960's did the blacks include their children in their riots, or Marches??? They forget blacks came here against their wills and have been in US for generations without rights which they had to fight for and are still fighting for them. Rights are not something a new migrant can take without being a FOREIGN INVADER and paying the dues, due process and approval of US citizens by obeying the laws.
Politicians are at mercy of it's citizens and they will pay at the polls for this garbage.
When marxists and communists are elected to represent us, it is expected.
These people need to be outed for their anti-American loyalties.
I'd like to drive around town dragging a Mexican flag under my truck all day on Monday...
Hmmm. This "Brokeback Mountain" guy says his DNA is part of America.
Is that front door DNA or back door DNA?
I think the majority of Californians, well at least in southern California, are unaware of anything about the state legislature.
But if they see that these politicians are walking out for the (Not so) Great Boycott of 2006, maybe they'll take note and go, Huh?
The RNC will not support conservative candidates, from what I've seen. Moving is the better plan.
LOL! That would be great.
But please don't! I'd hate for a mob of 3rd world illegals to attack you and your truck.
Aw geez, I didn't think about that! The illegals will get the day off to go play in the streets and halt traffic, while the citizens have to go to work to pay the taxes that support the illegals. Is it just me and you in this Twilight Zone episode?
A girl can dream! Damn straight! Especially pissed off patriotic girls like us!!
Heard that, SV! Having a job in the move-to location is the best plan unless one has enough to live on for a while.
And whenever you read on the forum that someone has moved out of CA, they're always so happy and glad they did it!
Please tell me that rage has it's good side effects. (I haven't taken my blood pressure since the talk of guestamnesty started.)
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