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Coalition Calls On LA Residents To Refrain From Immigration Boycott

POSTED: 1:30 pm PDT April 19, 2006

LOS ANGELES -- A coalition of religious leaders and union members Wednesday called on Los Angeles residents to refrain from participating in next month's proposed citywide boycott in support of immigration reform.

The "We are America" coalition urged people to participate in demonstrations on May 1 only after spending the day at work or school.

The coalition's rally will begin that day at 3 p.m. at MacArthur Park.

"Thousands will come together to demand that Congress recognize the contributions of immigrant workers by passing comprehensive immigration reform legislation that is just and humane," said Bishop Gabino Zavala.

"We are asking that students and workers use May 1 to go to school and work and use that time to appreciate the dignity of work, the value of education and the important role immigrants play here in the Southland and across the nation," Zavala said.

The "March 25th Coalition" has called for a boycott of school and work May 1, asking people to show their support for immigration legislation by attending marches and rallies across the city.

The coalition's organizer Nativo Lopez is scheduled to discuss the group's plan at a news conference later Wednesday. Lopez was not immediately available for comment.

The coalitions are specifically protesting a House bill by Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis. That bill, HR 4437, would require employers to verify Social Security numbers with the Department of Homeland Security, increase penalties for immigrant smuggling and stiffen penalties for undocumented immigrants who re-enter the United States after having been removed.

Maria Elena Durazo, interim head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, said the two coalitions want the same things from immigration reform.

"We have a very simple goal and that goal is to make sure that everyone who works hard in America should have the opportunity for a good job with a paycheck that supports the family -- that's true family values -- affordable health insurance and a secure retirement with dignity," said Durazo, widow of labor leader Miguel Contreras and part of the "We are America" coalition

Differences over the proposed boycott do not represent a split in the movement to gain more rights for undocumented workers, Zavala said.

"We are together on the fact that May 1 is an important day and we're together on the fact that we need to continue to promote it -- just and fair immigration reform," he said.