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Immigration marches return with messages aimed at voters

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May 1, 2008 09:37 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
May 25, 2007
 
By SOPHIA TAREEN
The Associated Press
Tuesday, April 29, 2008; 4:23 PM

 

CHICAGO -- Immigration activists and civil rights leaders are gearing up for rallies and marches in cities across the nation, hoping to revive the stagnant immigration debate in time for the presidential election.

Activists predict turnout for the more than 200 events planned Thursday from Seattle to Miami will be far less than in years past.

But they say efforts demanding comprehensive immigration legislation _ including pathways to citizenship for the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S. _ have extended beyond the streets.

"While the breadth of activities will be significant, most eyes are turned toward the November election," said Rich Stolz, a coordinator with Fair Immigration Reform Movement, which oversees activist groups across the country. "We've been calling on the candidates to prioritize immigration."

In Texas, where some of the largest immigration rallies have taken place in recent years, marches were planned in Dallas, Houston and El Paso.

None were expected to be as big as the massive protests that snaked through Texas cities in previous years, such as the 2006 rally in Dallas that clogged downtown with tens of thousands of people.

The scope of the pro-immigrant rights movement has seen significant change in just two years time.

More than 1 million people nationwide marched in the name of immigrant rights in 2006. Fueled by a blitz of coverage in churches and Spanish language media, many united to fight a bill that proposed making it a felony for all illegal immigrants to live in the United States.

With no single piece of legislation to rally around in 2007, numbers shrank and the message branched off. Marchers demanded an end to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, respect for the undocumented and worker unity, among other things. Efforts in Los Angeles quickly went sour when police cleared MacArthur Park by whacking protesters and journalists with batons and firing "non-lethal" projectiles.

Organizers say this year's efforts are focused less on protests and more on voter registration and setting an agenda for the next president. Surprised

At least two major national organizations that traditionally have rallied large numbers of immigrants on May 1, National Council of La Raza and Service Employees International Union, have purposely put less energy into the marches.

"In 2006 we said: 'Today we march. Tomorrow we vote.' This is tomorrow," said Eliseo Medina, executive vice president of the SEIU. "Mass mobilizations ensure that people go to the polls. There's this whole culture of participation that's been created in the community."

Still, activists acknowledge an uphill battle.

Immigration reform hasn't resonated with voters in primary elections who overwhelmingly list the economy as their top concern. Immigration legislation has stalled and been defeated in the Senate. Presidential candidates have not extensively addressed the contentious issue.

"Folks are staying away from the immigration debate, it's a touchy subject," said Luis Gutierrez, executive director of Chicago-based Latinos Progresando. "Some don't want to talk about it, unless it's 'build a fence."

Democratic presidential rivals Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton supported a 2006 bill, sponsored by Republican candidate John McCain, that offered illegal immigrants legal status on conditions such as learning English. All three also have supported a border fence.

Community leaders say fear of raids and mistrust of authorities also might lead to lower turnouts Thursday.

"With all these raids that are going on, what are we supposed to do? Write President Bush and just say these things shouldn't happen?" said Juan Jose Gutierrez, president of Los Angeles-based Latino Movement USA. "It's important to allow people to blow off steam, to get back their hope. People have been in a state of intimidation and fear."

Activists point to massive voter registration drives of new immigrants and a newly inspired generation of young immigrant activists as small successes.

Activists in Houston expected about 300 people at a downtown rally. In Miami, marchers will demonstrate through the city's Little Haiti neighborhood to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services headquarters.

Immigrant advocates in Seattle expect between 5,000 and 8,000 people to turn out for a rally and are encouraging Latinos to boycott purchasing major items.

Rallies are also planned in Los Angeles and other cities.

In Chicago, up to 50,000 are expected at a downtown march and rally. Organizers say they have extended their message to include unity among different races and, for the first time, gay rights activists.

Representatives from the Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and the Nation of Islam are expected to attend events Thursday. Yell

"In the past, most of the marches you've seen mostly Latino, mostly immigrant or descendants of immigrants," said Emma Lozano, head of the Chicago-based Centro Sin Fronteras. "We want to make an effort (at unity). We need to come together." Undecided

 

Associated Press Writers Monica Rohr in Houston, Manuel Vales in Seattle, Laura Wides-Munoz in Miami, Juliana Barbassa in San Francisco, and Thomas Watkins and Peter Prengaman in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

May 1, 2008 09:59 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
August 24, 2007
Wouldn't it be nice if the media would boycott broadcasting all of these events? On CNN this morning every activist leader interviewed used the phrase "we are all immigrants" and the distinction between legal and illegal was completely ignored (again).

This is our country, take it back! (Thank you Tom Tancredo!) Press 1 for English; Press 2 to deport all illegal immigrants!
May 1, 2008 10:27 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 16, 2007
Tanc4prez said: Wouldn't it be nice if the media would boycott broadcasting all of these events? On CNN this morning every activist leader interviewed used the phrase "we are all immigrants" and the distinction between legal and illegal was completely ignored (again).

 

What do you expect from the liberal media?  These are the same people who are whining about the treatment of the prisoners at Gitmo.  The same ones who are buying into the whole global warming myth.

All I know is that a lot of those "ralliers" must have taken the day off in Dallas because traffic this morning was stellar.  Made me wish everyday was like that.  In a perfect world....



"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer." - Ecclesiastes 4:12
May 1, 2008 10:30 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 16, 2007

"With all these raids that are going on, what are we supposed to do? Write President Bush and just say these things shouldn't happen?" said Juan Jose Gutierrez, president of Los Angeles-based Latino Movement USA. "It's important to allow people to blow off steam, to get back their hope. People have been in a state of intimidation and fear."

[If you're not here illegally, you have nothing to fear! -- If you are here illegally, I would strongly caution against "blowing off steam!]

Representatives from the Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and the Nation of Islam are expected to attend events Thursday. Yell

[Hasn't this publicity hound and race baiter gotten the message that many Hispanics hate Blacks and want to kill them? -- And what purpose other than notoriety does it serve?]

 No 







My Vice Presidential candidate can whip your Presidential candidate!
May 1, 2008 10:33 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 2, 2007
They're going to revive the stagnant issue, alright.  However, it will be the anti-illegal crowd that grows in massive numbers in response to their marches, ridiculous demands, and vulgar and insulsting remarks about America and our citizens.

"Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle... In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity... That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants." Charles Carrol, signer of Declaration of Independence, framer of the Bill of Rights, delegate to the Constitutional Convention, U.S. Senator
May 1, 2008 11:06 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 15, 2007
i wish our side would show up in force. i just dont see it. i would like to see us match there numbers. its just not gonna happen. we could if we would just come together. it will take violence on there part. maybe ours, but most likely theres. im talking major. isay we get booted, suited and straped then kick there asses back to mexico.

VOTE Colt & Kalashnikov in '08
May 1, 2008 12:51 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
September 28, 2007
Alot of us aren't able physically to march and many many more are working and not able to take off from their jobs to do so.  That is why we need to keep hammering our elected officials by phone and emails.  And it infuriates me when they talk about voter registration.  These illegal aliens are not supposed to be voting.  I know they have been but for them to blatently talk about it goes to show how sure they are of themselves.  I hope after this weeks ruling by the Supreme Court on voter ID that all states will enact this law.  Of course states like Ca. will never do so.
May 1, 2008 01:25 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 16, 2007

If you guys want to do something to combat all of these marches and what they represent, please contact deerhunter (FS) or Jason (FS) about the National Coalition Proposal. 

This proposal may be our last best hope to get our voices heard on a national level and stop the illegal hoardes.
May 2, 2008 08:41 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 15, 2007
not able to take off from your jobs. lol i just call and say i cant make it somthing came up. while i need my job, i need my country more. my two biggest bills are rent and fuel(i get 8 yes 8 miles to the gallonCry)i dont use hot water or the AC. i dont need them, but I do need my Land Cruiser. I am not ready to just rollover and die. talking, calling or emailing elected jerkoffs does not help. we need action. we need unity and organization. right now im turning my LC into a Streifenwagen. shes going OD green, new bumpers new shocks. reading her for combat. im tired of waiting just to lose. my US flag was stolen AGAIN. all i get is dirty looks because i fly it. i go around armed now, everywhere. im seeing more gang grafiti and mexican shops in my hometown. i will not sit by and let it happen. if people cant get off ther asses to go against the invasion of there country then what good are they. what will they do instead. there are many like me out there within this movement that are not sheep. we are the rams of the herd. the stormtroopers. and we need support. someone has to keep handing us ammo. bake us cookiesLaughing. we will need support. cause its about to get bloody.

VOTE Colt & Kalashnikov in '08
May 2, 2008 06:45 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
August 24, 2007
I am really afraid it's going to come to just that type of action, darthlung! Isn't it ironic that the ILLEGALS have some of the most powerful and wealthy organizations backing them, giving them legal assistance, assistance with civil rights, benefits, etc.. I think millions of U.S. citizens feel like we do, yet our unity is very fragmented. Our "government" wants it that way!

This is our country, take it back! (Thank you Tom Tancredo!) Press 1 for English; Press 2 to deport all illegal immigrants!
May 2, 2008 06:58 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 19, 2007
Comment updated May 3, 2008 12:32 PM
Everyone on FS needs to get in touch with congress and get a deluge of mail etc started demanding    NO FEDERAL FUNDING TO ANY SANCTUARY CITY. First it was Berkley now these 2 a$$es. We have to stop these people!!! I am not sure just who we need to start with, but I am starting with Swarzenegger. These 2 people need to be run out of town on a rail after being tarred and feathered, on their way to Mexico Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’1 
William Bratton, LAPD Chief: We, the police, will be here to ensure that the immigrant community and its supporters can exercise their First Amendment rights in a peaceful way. So we encourage you tomorrow to come to these rallies, to come and enjoy.
Antonio Villaraigosa, L. A. Mayor: We're committed in this city to embracing every Angeleno, whether they're born here or not, whether they're legal or not.Governor's Office:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160 ( new number )

I AM SO ANGRY ABOUT THIS I COULD BITE NAILS INTO!!!!

CHAMBER STAFF

Senior Staff

Gary Toebben
PRESIDENT & CEO
213.580.7525, gtoebben@lachamber.org
David Eads
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
213.580.7546, deads@lachamber.org

 Noly Lallana
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
213.580.7521, nlallana@lachamber.org

 Kevin Cottrell
VICE PRESIDENT OF LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LEADERSHIP NETWORK
213.580.7577, kcottrell@lachamber.org

Marie Condron
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS 213.580.7532, mcondron@lachamber.org
Sam Garrison
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY
213.580.7568, sgarrison@lachamber.org

David Rattray
PRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UNITE-LA AND VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT 213.482.3987, drattray@lachamber.orgAlma Salazar
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND UNITE-LA
213.580.7566, asalazar@lachamber.org 


May 3, 2008 12:59 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 2, 2007
An immigrant is someone who enters this country legally.They became illegal criminals when they crossed the border without permission.Deport!Deport!Deport!
May 3, 2008 11:35 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 16, 2007
Pretty easy to understand, huh Reenie -- amazing the protesters and their supporters can't figure that out -- or maybe they just don't understand enough English...............

My Vice Presidential candidate can whip your Presidential candidate!
May 3, 2008 11:44 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
May 25, 2007

The easiest way to stop those in office is to vote them out of office and to put your money where your mouth is.

In Los Angeles there is www.WalterMooreForMayor.com

He is fighting to be heard in the news and on the radio.  He is behind Jamiels Law - which non of the city council members support.

He needs $$$ and support in any way we can give him.  Get a bumper sticker and at least give him free advertising when driving around L.A.

William Bratton, LAPD Chief: We, the police, will be here to ensure that the immigrant community and its supporters can exercise their First Amendment rights in a peaceful way. So we encourage you tomorrow to come to these rallies, to come and enjoy.
Antonio Villaraigosa, L. A. Mayor: We're committed in this city to embracing every Angeleno, whether they're born here or not, whether they're legal or not.

Well then support Walter Moore and get all your friends and neighbors to support him too!

If we want to take the country back then it is up to us to fight city by city state by state because our "elected" leaders have sold us out to the "hispanic" caucus.

If Walter is elected he would stop Special Order 40 immediately.  He would bring in ICE for more raids.  He would get rid of William Bratton and believe it or not he would actually support hard working, tax paying American citizens.

Please join the team and get Antonio OUT OF OFFICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 3, 2008 11:56 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 15, 2007
they know, and they dont care. to them you/we are the invaders they are coming to take back this land. its the calm before the storm. the make a big deal about the rally and nobody shows up. it gives the american sheeple a false since of safety. if you have an american flag on your car just pay attention from now on. at the looks you get from them. if people think its just them not knowing the difference, my god.  i just might visit the mexican consulate in houston on this wednesday. 11:30ish sounds good. ill just stand across the street with a US flag. feel free to join me.

VOTE Colt & Kalashnikov in '08
May 3, 2008 12:55 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 16, 2007
darthlung -- Monday is Cinco de Mayo ................... would that be better than Wednesday?

My Vice Presidential candidate can whip your Presidential candidate!
May 3, 2008 01:00 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 19, 2007

The easiest way to stop those in office is to vote them out of office and to put your money where your mouth is.

What good will it do if you don't live in L.A. We still need to get in touch with chamber of commerce, Which I just did.
May 3, 2008 01:06 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 16, 2007

Anyone can contribute to and help the Walter Moore campaign, p. hunt.  I've read a lot about him, and if I lived and voted in L.A. I would definitely support him!

www.WalterMooreForMayor.com



My Vice Presidential candidate can whip your Presidential candidate!
May 3, 2008 01:12 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 19, 2007

Jim texas

I agree with what you say, but after donating to all the other causes I am tapped out. I am on a fixed income and need to pick and choose. What I was refering to is the bumper stickers.Yes if i lived there I would go for it. As it is I can and do write , fax and email
May 3, 2008 01:15 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 16, 2007
I know what you mean!

My Vice Presidential candidate can whip your Presidential candidate!

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