Posted on 09/26/2003 7:53:48 PM PDT by One_American
By David Molina
Speaking with the steel international fence as a backdrop, Isabel Garcia called for immigration reform as scores of protesters rallied in Nogales Wednesday on their way to Washington, D.C.
The protesters came from Tucson after having taken off from Los Angeles as part of what has been titled the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride.
The aim of the ride, by bus, is to caravan to Washington where thousands will amass to protest the immigration laws and will ask U.S. legislators to "make meaningful reform."
Garcia, a leader of the group Derechos Humanos (Human Rights), called on those assembled in a parking lot adjacent to the international border to look at the wall.
"This is a barrier that was not here before," she said as she pointed at the structure. She claimed the fence was made from steel of a former American aircraft carrier vessel.
"And now it is dividing us as a community," she lamented.
She said that before the steel fence, there was just a chain link fence and that residents, years ago, were able to cross the border without interruption.
"The Fifth of May, the Fourth of July, our people could cross and visit each other. As you can now see, you can't cross the fence (freely) and instead they have to go the points of peril to come here (to the U.S.) to better their lives," Garcia said.
She pointed out that now immigrants have to go through the dangerous desert in search of their dream.
Garcia pointed at crosses that were strewn on the ground in front of her, crosses bearing the names of those who have died in the desert trying to get to the United States.
"Each cross represents a person who had families in Mexico," she said. "We want you to take this message with you, that we want no more military along our border.
"Welcome to the ugliness of the world," she said pointing at the fence. "And we will continue to fight until these walls come down."
Other busses have taken off from other parts of the country, such as San Francisco and Denver, all in caravan for a rendezvous in the nation's capital and then on to New York City.
The AFL-CIO labor union with immigrant workers and their supporters leaving from 10 cities is a tactic reminiscent of the anti-segregation freedom rides across the south in the 1950s and 60s organized the protest ride movement.
In Tucson earlier in the day, buses originating in Los Angeles arrived at St. Augustine Cathedral where an interdenominational Mass was led by Bishop Gerald Kicanas. From there, a procession led the protesters to El Presidio Park where a rally was staged.
The two buses then left Tucson at 12:30 p.m. to come to Nogales to focus attention on border policy.
Garcia said that of the buses participating in the ride to the capital and the east coast, the ones that originated in Los Angeles and which came to Nogales are the only two to visit a border city.
"And now it is dividing us as a community," she lamented.
She said that before the steel fence, there was just a chain link fence and that residents, years ago, were able to cross the border without interruption.
"The Fifth of May, the Fourth of July, our people could cross and visit each other. As you can now see, you can't cross the fence (freely) and instead they have to go the points of peril to come here (to the U.S.) to better their lives," Garcia said.
She pointed out that now immigrants have to go through the dangerous desert in search of their dream.
More outrageous demands from Isabel. It is not the responsibility of the U.S. taxpayer to provide a better life for a foreign invader. Not once do these racists ever consider marching on Mexico City, the epicenter of corruption which is the main cause of the current conditions in Mexico. Immigration should stop every one of these busses and deport every person who is here illegally.
There are scores of legal crossing ports of entry ffor those who care to do it legally.
That drivel about not being able to cross, now. Baloney. Nobody closed the Port of Entry. They closed the illegal crossings. If you're coming over to visit family on a holiday, you sure as shootin' aren't crossing through the desert.
Bleepin' liar.
I wonder if she's still employed by the Pima County Attorney's Office?
Freepmail me if you wish to be removed from or added to this list!
Mine came by dangerous seas, legally, but hardly without peril. They were not greeted with open arms, government support or government protection for any of the indignities they would face. Thankfully they didn't consider these things to be either the essence or promise of the American dream.
No, idiot, it divides us as countries.
< SNIP >
I'm not sure what this woman is complaining about - unless its that pesky sovereignty business that requires that those entering have the right (US citizens) or permission (all others) to do so.
Bush is clueless.
Doesn't the AFL-CIO realize many of those illegals are taking jobs that American union workers would love to be doing? For the unions to uport illegal immigration baffles me.
Every union member I know is strongly against the illegal alien invasion. They don't want to lose their jobs to illegals. I think the companies who hire union workers would love to pay minimum wage. If this madness continues, there won't be any jobs left for American blue collar workers, that's for sure.
Every union Leader is for the illegal alien "invasion".
Yes but think about ---- getting these fools to start demanding equal wages with equal benefits and all the rest is the quickest way to end illegal immigration for the purpose of taking jobs (maybe not for welfare immigration). These people are shooting themselves in the foot --- once they get their equal wages, they eliminated the whole reason they are hired because of that old stereotype they work harder for less..... blah blah blah. These people will soon start suing for back wages and reparations. If they must be paid equally, it's much better to hire a more efficient and harder working, educated American.
They really aren't that great for an economy or they'd have done more for Mexico's. To the Mexican elite they are better if they are long gone, and it uses them like pawns.
The union leaders might be a little smarter than our ruling elite is --- they know these people want more money than Americans for less work. Get them to demand equal wages ---- then who wouldn't prefer to hire a more efficient American worker? The whole argument for illegal immigration is over when corporations must pay them what they pay an American. No one will hire them once they're unionized.
You took those words right out of my mouth. lol Very well stated! :)
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