Posted on 05/18/2006 8:49:28 AM PDT by poisonivy27
The subway system serving the nation’s capital had a different look and feel yesterday, featuring fare signs and announcements in Spanish to assist with an influx of illegal-immigrant supporters who were lobbying lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Throughout the day, audible announcements that are piped through Metro’s system came through in both English and Spanish. At station entrances, Spanish-language signs explained the cost of a ride. Metro also boosted the presence of Spanish-speaking employees at stations.
The efforts came in response to the April 10 protests in Washington, which drew tens of thousands of illegal immigrants to the National Mall. Operators of the transit system were able to manage the large crowds of people taking the train that day, but this time around they wanted to make sure Spanish-speaking riders were able to understand instructions and fare information.
Joanne Ferreira, who works in Metro’s communications office, helped coordinate Metro’s response to yesterday’s activities. She speaks fluent Spanish and communicates with the Hispanic media on behalf of Metro.
“Little by little, we’re trying to use every resource that we have to not only get the information out in English, but also Spanish,” Ferreira said. “Yesterday, because of the rally, we put everything out there.”
Yesterday’s turnout—about 2,000, according to estimates—was significantly smaller then the April 10 rally. In fact, Ferreira said, it caused little strain on the system.
“For yesterday’s rally, we wanted to make sure customers didn’t have any problems getting their fare cards,” she said. “We tried to put Spanish-speaking employees in the system, but we were expecting a much bigger crowd like we had in April. We don’t have a lot of Spanish-speaking employees who could be out there helping the masses of people who are coming into the stations, so that’s why wanted to put the paper signs there to help get the information out.”
Ferreira said the money for the paper signs came from Metro’s budget for special events. She said there has been some talk of making Spanish-language signs a permanent fixture on Metro, but no decisions have been made about such a plan.
ROFLMAO! Now THAT'S an idea!
I'm surprised it took this long- DC has long had plenty of Hispanics living there, many of whom could/did not speak English.
I saw a cartoon recently where a depicted Illegal alien was holding a mexican flag talking to a whiteman.
He said something along the lines of:
I deamnd you allow me to come to your facist country to live and work you racist gringo ( or something to that effect)
It spoke loudly about how we are being treated as a nation and as American citizens by people that are not from here.
they are making their bed right now and sooner or later they will have their naptime. They need to think about their choices.
So your office is a Law firm that represents immigrants?
"Quite a few?" Undocumented?
In which area? We're not seeing that level of commitment up here in the Commonwealth, so I'd tend to say that your depiction doesn't match reality—at least not up this way.
Ok let me put it to you this way then, my daughter runs around the house speaking all kinds of Spanish...Dora the Explorer...she is 4.
Tell me again why folks that have been here for years and years cannot speak English?
What you are doing is great and I do not fault you one tiny bit. Please understand you are the minority in this area. Most are not learning English nor do they intend to.
"And unlike immigrants from OTHER non-English speaking countries, these classes are paid for by local taxpayers. Is it fair to Russians, Asians, Bulgarians, Greeks, and Swedes who come here to have to spend their own money to learn English, in addition to paying for other people as well?"
EXCELLENT point.
(But don't state too strongly. These loving sympathetics will then have us set up little separate classes for all the 100 languages to learn math and science, and printing 1000-page TV manuals before long.)
I'm going downstairs to get a cortadito (a small Cuban type of cappucino for the uninitiated) in just a couple minutes!
I dont think it is the multiple language that causes it, i offer to you it is when foeign language is catered to and english is not required (at least as a second language) that has become the problem.
OMG - I didn't even think of that!
Another stupid rule created based on ONE stinkin' event/occurance. I hate when that happens.
You frame my position incorrectly and I think you do it intentionally. It isn't the MEXICAN part I take issue with.
It is the ILLEGAL part I take issue with.
I posed to you my example trying to demonstrate that to you but I guess you missed that entirely.
One of the rules is learn the language and they aren't doing it. Admit that much and you could better understand where the ire is coming from that you decide is just "anti mexican"
We have a small Cuban restaurant at one of the malls here but it just isn't the same.:(
What's the big deal? The President highlighted the importance of 'assimilation'. Bi-lingual signs,,,and bi-lingual telephone recordings, etc--only serve to INHIBIT assimilation. The ones being harmed--are the immigrants whose assimilation is delayed by this kind of pandering.
Mine gave out by trying to carry around my small middle-class American coin purse, my enormous American tax bill, and, most importantly, my huge dedication to the American rule of law and sovereignty.
"I doubt they are refusing to assimilate. It just takes some time to learn another language."
And courage. I worked with a lady from El Salvador. When I had a Spanish only customer on the phone I asked her to give me a hand. She handled it well until she needed to take that customer's data. She couldn't spell the name Rodriguez!!! But luckily I was there for her because even I know how to spell it.
How long would you give immigrants to learn English? How proficient would they need to be to make you happy?
I can't imagine not being able to spell Rodriguez! LOL
sometimes it's spelled with a q.
Can't speak for BlueState, but for me, I'd be happy for them to have at least 4th-grade level English BEFORE entering the country. That's what we expect of OTHER immigrants who enter, is it not?
They don't use braille in Mexico.
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