http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... t0430.html

Activist plugs boycott support

Daniel González
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 30, 2006 12:00 AM

The leader of one of the immigrant rights groups promoting Monday's nationwide Great American Boycott is hoping thousands of supporters will participate in the Valley, either by staying home from work or school, or by not spending money.

That could mean significant disruptions at restaurants, construction sites, hotels and other service-related industries that depend heavily on immigrant labor. But while many have pledged support, other Latino leaders would not estimate how many will participate in the planned economic boycott and have not pushed the issue among laborers and immigrants.

Either way, interruptions in some businesses will be coupled with localized demonstrations and events aimed at calling attention to the contributions of immigrant workers as Congress debates how to treat the estimated 11 million to 12 million undocumented immigrants.

"We believe in order to surpass the April 10 march we need to keep 750,000 people in their homes," said Elias Bermudez, president of Immigrants Without Borders. The April 10 march and rally in support of comprehensive immigration reform was one of the largest demonstrations in the state's history and drew more than 100,000 to a downtown Phoenix march.

Roberto Reveles, chairman of We Are America, another group promoting the boycott, declined to say how many people he thinks will participate in Monday's boycott, but he hopes the number will be significant.

But random interviews conducted in downtown Phoenix with a dozen immigrants on the street suggest there is significant support. Almost all said they planned to support the boycott.

Juan Ocampo, a 34-year-old landscaper, said he plans to stay home from work Monday and not spend money. Rosa Guerrero, who owns Taqueria 3 Amigos on 16th Street in Phoenix, said she will close her business for the day in support of the boycott.

"Mexicans work so hard here in the United States," said Maria de la Luz Arroyo, 57, who plans to refrain from spending money on Monday. "We need immigration reform that gives undocumented immigrants amnesty."

Thousands around the country will join those in Phoenix with demonstrations, boycotts and rallies.

In the Valley, the more-aggressive Immigrants Without Borders is calling on supporters to stay home from school and work on Monday and not spend money. We Are America is telling workers not to risk their jobs and to support events like voter-registration drives and prayer services. It also asks students to stay in school.


Candlelight vigils

The first begins tonight with a candlelight vigil. The group is asking supporters to turn their lights off between 9 and 9:30 p.m. and during that time to stand in front of their homes with a lighted candle in honor of all workers, but in particular for migrant workers.

Demonstrations

From 9 a.m. to noon on Monday. We Are America also is organizing demonstrations at four Phoenix locations. Two demonstrations will take place at Home Depots, at 36th Street and Thomas Road and at 73rd Avenue and McDowell Road. Other demonstration locations include Trevor Browne High School in west Phoenix and IFCO Systems, where federal immigration agents conducted a raid recently.

Prayer vigils

From 5 to 8:30 p.m. Monday. Evangelical Latino pastors who are not endorsing the boycott are holding vigils. They hope to draw 1,000 to each gathering. The vigils will be held in Mesa at Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main St., and in Phoenix at Iglesia Gracia Abundante, 17602 N. Black Canyon Highway; Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1401 E. Jefferson St.; and Victory Outreach Church, 3423 W. Bethany Home Road.