Posted on 04/13/2006 11:46:06 AM PDT by Rebelbase
A walkout by a group of Latino students at North Mecklenburg High School on Wednesday highlighted heightened tensions in the Charlotte area over the national illegal immigration debate.
More than 50 students encircled the school and marched a mile toward W.T. Harris Boulevard, holding signs and chanting "Latinos, united, will never be defeated."
The group said it was marching in support of fellow Latino student Tracy Vargas, 14, who says she was called offensive names by other students.
Ethnic insults have increased in recent weeks, students said, as hundreds of thousands of immigrants have gained national attention marching against what they consider anti-immigrant legislation in Congress..
"This has happened before, and the school didn't listen," said Flor Ramirez, a 19-year-old senior. "So, sometimes you have to take other actions so people do listen."
Immigration reform bills under congressional debate, have drawn scrutiny in Charlotte. The region has one of the country's fastest-growing immigrant communities, mostly due to illegal immigration.
Two weeks ago, more than 5,000 immigrants and supporters rallied in uptown Charlotte for immigrant rights. On Monday, hundreds boycotted work, shopping and school. The demonstrations have also been criticized by those wanting stricter enforcement of existing immigration laws.
"People on both sides are very angry and resentful, and they're going to vent their anger in some way," said Ricardo Mata, a Latino activist. "All it takes is one word and tempers flare."
The answering machine at the Latin American Coalition filled with angry messages over the weekend, said Raquel Lynch, the nonprofit's operations and programs director.
"They're awful. Awful," she said.
Wayne Cooper, the state's honorary consul of Mexico, said anger against the Latino community is the most heated he has seen in 25 years.
Americans are increasingly worried about immigration, polls show.
According to the Pew Hispanic Center, a growing number of Americans say they believe immigrants are "a burden to the country, taking jobs and housing and creating strains on the health care system."
Yet the public remains split on what to do about the estimated 11.5 million to 12 million unauthorized migrants. One poll reports that 53 percent say people in the U.S. illegally should be required to go home, while 40 percent say they should be granted some kind of legal status that allows them to stay here.
Such a wide spectrum of opinions can be found at Mr. G's, a Monroe restaurant.
Diners often discuss their views on national policy, said co-owner Tina Stamos.
"I've heard all sides," she said. "It's on the news a lot, so everybody is talking about it. They talk among the tables. They ask the servers. Everyone wants to give their opinion."
At North Mecklenburg High School in Huntersville, school officials wouldn't discuss details about the alleged insults. But students and Maria Hernandez, Vargas' mother, said her daughter was told Tuesday by other students that she should return to Mexico.
Students learned about the insults later that day and planned the walkout for Wednesday morning.
After the demonstration, Principal Joseph Burch said the school will begin holding regular meetings with administrators and students to improve communication. Five percent of North Meck's students are Hispanic.
In 18 minutes to boot.
Wake up people, illegal entry into this country is already a felony for adults 18 years or older at the time of entry on the books, it's just up to the judges/DA's as to prosecute it as such.
If they actually knew the language they could have said "Latinos, united, will never be divided."
Better yet not paying my taxes would go a long way to improving my life but I don't see the 'Rats running out to support the fair tax.
Here in Charlotte, we have a had quite a bit of trouble with drunk illegals driving the wrong way on the highways. This has contributed quite a bit to heightening tensions.
Anymore,REAL AMERICANS are supposed to shut up when an "illegal" has one of their emotional outbursts!
I graduated from UCSD at 19. I think this person is a senior in high school. Underachiever is an understatement.
> "Latinos, united, will never be defeated."
As a chant, that sucks. Is it supposed to rhyme?
As usual, confusing legal immigration with illegal immigration.
And American kids are told all the time to "go back to Africa" or "go back to Europe." And these are kids in their own country, who've never been to Africa or Europe, being told to "go back there" by illegal invaders or the children of illegal invaders.
Sin verguenza?
"I know Yankees with more backbone and tolerance."
None of them are legislators.
Well, in Spanish (according to Babelfish), its: "Latinos, unido, nunca será derrotado." Not necessarily a good rhyme, but more so than the English version.
And isn't the chant du jour "Si, se peuede!" which is supposed to mean "Yes, we can!" the wrong declination of the verb poder? I only took 4 years of Spanish but I thought it should be "Si, nos podemos." I can only assume that they're all illiterate in Spanish as well as English.
Roofer??
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