Thread: Immigrant group aims to harness political power

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/my ... 464913.htm

Posted on Sun, Apr. 30, 2006

Immigrant group aims to harness political power
Council pushes for voter drive
By Lilly Rockwell
Cox News Service

WASHINGTON - Immigrant groups are gearing up for a massive boycott Monday. The Senate is set to renew debate on immigration next week. But one major Latino group isn't thinking about Monday or next week.

The National Council of La Raza has set its sights on Nov. 7. By this year's Election Day, the council hopes to have registered millions of Latino voters.

"This is a real opportunity for us to recognize there is a next step to all of this," said Janet Murguia, president of the National Council of La Raza. "We need to make sure we galvanize this energy and this interest into a real impact."

Although immigrants watch the debate in Congress unfold and other groups plan yet more marches and more boycotts, the National Council of La Raza wants to harness this energy into political power.

The La Raza voter drive will be coupled with national TV public service announcements, a Web site and local grassroots efforts.

In 2004, about 7 million Latinos voted in the election. This group wants to add more than 2 million to that mix.

"This is a community that matters in numbers, in November and in Novembers to come," said Angela Kelley, deputy director of the National Immigration Forum, a pro-immigrant lobbying group.

But fears of a backlash threaten to hamstring this burgeoning movement.

For weeks, federal agents have been cracking down on illegal immigration by arresting immigrants wanted on criminal charges.

Immigrant groups accuse the federal government of employing scare tactics to ensure there are no more marches, boycotts or voter drives.

"We don't fear any backlash," said Juan Jose Gutierrez, the leader of Latino Movement USA. "People are being threatened in order to intimidate people into changing their mind about participating in May 1."

A massive national boycott is scheduled for Monday, in which immigrants are encouraged to not attend work or school, and to not buy or sell anything.

President Bush even weighed in on Friday, saying, "I'm not a supporter of boycotts."

"It's important for people, when they do express themselves, they continue to do so in a peaceful way." He said immigrants should respect how "highly charged this debate can become."

The issue is reaching a boiling point as Congress attempts to overhaul immigration laws.

In an attempt to curb illegal immigration, lawmakers are considering tightening border security, penalizing employers who hire illegal immigrants, and establishing a guest worker program.

At the same time, political observers say, a conservative backlash developed with some lawmakers angry about protesters demanding citizenship while waving Mexican flags.

Micheal Giles, a political science professor at Emory University in Atlanta, said demonstrations and marches often evoke a much stronger backlash from the white community.

He said any progress made in terms of gaining political power could be negligible because of this reaction.

Unlike other minority groups, such as African-Americans, the Latino vote is considered up for grabs between Republicans and Democrats.

Groups such as the National Council of La Raza, the National Immigration Forum, and dozens of others are watching closely as Congress debates immigration reform.

Whatever happens, Latinos are going to be voting in much larger number this November, Murguia said.

The National Council of La Raza plans to unveil its official strategy next week. In coordination with local groups, the council wants to transform immigrants into engaged citizens who can vote.

Their three-step strategy hopes to encourage civic participation in protests, teach immigrants how to become citizens and then encourage voting.

But political observers say it remains to be seen whether Latinos will have a big effect on this election.

Because some immigrants are here illegally, they cannot vote.

Gutierrez said the raids, the comments from Bush, and the debate in Congress will have the opposite effect - it will encourage immigrants to fight for their rights.

"Let's be clear about this," Gutierrez said. "May 1st is going to be historic, and it is going to be vast. We fully expect that millions of workers, men and women, immigrants and their supporters are going to heed our call."

Janet Murguia | president of the National Council of La Raza

The La Raza voter drive will be coupled with national TV public service announcements, a Web site and local grassroots efforts.
...

"This is a community that matters in numbers, in November and in Novembers to come," said Angela Kelley, deputy director of the National Immigration Forum, a pro-immigrant lobbying group.

But fears of a backlash threaten to hamstring this burgeoning movement.

...

Immigrant groups accuse the federal government of employing scare tactics to ensure there are no more marches, boycotts or voter drives.

"We don't fear any backlash," said Juan Jose Gutierrez, the leader of Latino Movement USA.

National TV advertising costs quite a chunk of money, one has to wonder who all is funding these groups? They must have some large donors, and I hope they get their large share of the publicity and backlash coming to them as well.

I wish we had some money to put our own commercials on tv, I think it would help our cause immensley just as it did the swift boat vets in the last election.Some woman on here had a fantastic idea about the scales of justice, showing the upside of illegal labor (not much) and the down side all the entitlements they suck out of our government and the taxpayers.

"Let's be clear about this," Gutierrez said. "May 1st is going to be historic, and it is going to be vast. We fully expect that millions of workers, men and women, immigrants and their supporters are going to heed our call."

You know what .. I don't give a flying frisbee about the "impact" a group of criminals protesting like a bunch of lunatics will be.

To me, this whole thing has the smell of a flop.

The American people are sick of your antics and whining. It's all about YOU .. typical.

Shut the heck up or get out! Think I'll mow my own lawn tommorrow.

Illegals are not allowed to vote. How much you wanna bet that they get registered Illegally and do? We had an article in here over the past 2 weeks that even admitted there are states that do not even ask for ID at registration.