Thread: Hispanic group urges boycott!

Hispanic group urges boycott
By Dolores M. Bernal SUN-NEWS REPORTER
http://www.lcsun-news.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... 00331/1001

Top organization officials attending the 77th annual New Mexico LULAC state convention Saturday in Las Cruces urged Hispanic workers not to go to work or purchase anything Monday to bring notice to the plight of undocumented immigrants.

Hispanic leaders expect millions of people across the country to boycott American businesses and skip work in order to participate in the National Day of Action.

"Ask to leave early, ask for the day off," said League of United Latin American Citizens national president Hector Flores. "There are going to be rallies, concerts and voter registration drives."


However, Paul Martinez, president of the Las Cruces LULAC chapter, said that while the organization wants as many people as possible to join the boycotts Monday, he wants Doña Ana County students to remain in the classroom.

"We are encouraging students to go to school and be supervised," Martinez said.

Those people who fear losing their jobs should go to work, Martinez added.

"We don't want workers to lose their jobs because that will be counterproductive," he said.

Flores spoke to LULAC members and delegates during the state convention, which kicked off Friday and ends today at the Las Cruces Hilton.

Immigration reform legislation pending in Congress has prompted millions of Hispanic immigrants and their allies to take to the streets during recent weeks.

LULAC delegates have drafted a letter that they will deliver to Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis.

Sensenbrenner is the main sponsor of the controversial House bill, HR4437, which calls for the deportation of all illegal immigrants and the construction of a 700-mile wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Delegates will give Sensenbrenner the letter when they attend LULAC's national convention in Milwaukee in June.

Activists, including Flores, believe that legislators who are calling for deportation of an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants who are living and working in the United States, ought to be removed from office.

"Those who turn their back on us, remember them in November," said Flores. "People should stay here if they are working, if they are paying their taxes and if their children are being born here."

LULAC national vice president Rosa Rosales cautioned authorities to treat those who attend rallies with respect.

"It's a shame that they want to treat us like criminals," Rosales said. "During a protest in San Antonio the authorities showed up in bulletproof vests and with their arms drawn, like hooligans."

LULAC national vice president Rosa Rosales cautioned authorities to treat those who attend rallies with respect.

All I can say to you Rosa. If you are going to meet with Vicente all the time. Then maybe you might consider what country are you loyal too.