Thread: Autry gets some flak for labor remarks

Autry gets some flak for labor remarks
Bee staff reports
05/26/07 04:39

Fresno Mayor Alan Autry riled some business leaders during his State of the City speech this week when he said farmers, builders, restaurateurs and even chambers of commerce are partly responsible for the country's immigration problems.

Autry said the businesses are "totally hooked on illegal labor." He added that chambers of commerce across the country -- along with federal lawmakers in the United States and Mexico -- are part of a "coalition of greed" dependent on the cheap labor of illegal immigrants.

The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the mayor's annual address. And chamber President Al Smith said he was shocked by Autry's coalition of greed rant. Several other business leaders who attended the speech also took offense, Smith said.

After Autry's 44-minute speech, Smith asked him privately: "Where did that come from?"

Autry then elaborated on his point, explaining to Smith that almost everyone contributes to the country's immigration problems and immigration reform should be addressed by a range of people.

"Then I just sort of dropped it," Smith said. "I'm still not sure what he was trying to accomplish. It was just a bad choice of words."


http://www.fresnobee.com/490/story/50087.html


Looks like ole Bubba's had a change of heart.

We all should be emailing, fax blasting and phoning our local Chambers of Commerce and let them know how peeved we are about them supporting illegal immigration!

Yahoo for Mayor Autry what he said was right on.




Welcome SWFLBELL

Several other business leaders who attended the speech also took offense, Smith said.

Wonder why they would take offense, maybe because they are hiring illegals???

Originally Posted by WavTek

Wonder why they would take offense, maybe because they are hiring illegals???

Yeap, he must have got too close to some big toes.


Welcome, SWFLBELL. It's good to have you on board.