Free Republic

PHOENIX -- About 300 people gathered at the Arizona Capitol while others boycotted work Tuesday to protest state laws and proposals that they say make life difficult for illegal immigrants.

<p>Thousands of Latinos throughout California Friday protested Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's repeal of a state law that would have allowed undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses.</p> <p>From Los Angeles, where the push for a boycott originated, to Ukiah in Mendocino County, where a protest was held, Latinos skipped work, stayed out of school and refused to patronize businesses, but the turnout was modest, given the state's large Latino population.</p>

Celestina Gregorio of Encinitas said she gave up a day of work yesterday to protest the repeal of a state law that would have allowed undocumented immigrants like herself to apply for a driver license. The 18-year-old restaurant cook was among Latinos who participated in rallies here and across the state in support of a one-day boycott of stores, schools and work places to protest the Legislature's action last week. "It's worth it because we want to be driving legally. We don't want any problems," Gregorio said. She was among 100 people who demonstrated near a Wal-Mart store in Vista....

<p>Roosevelt School in Tulare appeared to be the only elementary school affected by today's planned statewide boycott by Hispanics.</p> <p>"We have almost 200 kids out," Principal Barbara Xavier said, noting the campus has the most Hispanic students in the Tulare City School District.</p>

<p>Hundreds of people angered by the repeal of a law allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses took to the streets of cities around the state Friday to kick off a daylong boycott.</p> <p>The protest came in response to the Legislature's action last week and as part of an effort to highlight the economic contribution of California's Hispanic community, the nation's largest. The protest was planned to coincide with the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe.</p>