:D TRAFFIC WAS SMOOTH THIS MORNING!!! partly because no one was slowing down on the corners to pick up a load of Illegal workers. I personally am going to enjoy this Latino free day :lol:
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:D TRAFFIC WAS SMOOTH THIS MORNING!!! partly because no one was slowing down on the corners to pick up a load of Illegal workers. I personally am going to enjoy this Latino free day :lol:
Welcome Kay. Happy Latino-Free day! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by kayrensue
Good news and welcome to ALIPAC! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by kayrensue
More on boycott by disgruntled invaders, pals
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/s ... ycott.html
Latinos urge day of protest against bill
Leaders call for economic show of force
By BRIAN FEAGANS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/24/06
A coalition of state Hispanic leaders is calling on immigrants in Georgia not to buy anything today and stay home from work if possible as a show of economic might.
It's unclear how the one-day effort could affect poultry plants, restaurants and other businesses that rely heavily on immigrant labor. And organizers stopped short of calling it a boycott, saying they only want workers to participate if it doesn't jeopardize their jobs.
The effort is designed to protest a sweeping anti-illegal immigration measure making its way through the Georgia Legislature, said Julian Herrera, a Norcross pastor and spokesman for the Alianza 17 de Marzo de Georgia (March 17th Alliance of Georgia).
The alliance is named for the day that pastors and Spanish language media executives met in a Smyrna restaurant and decided to take action, Herrera said. "We're sending a strong message that if you pass a law that punishes these people, then they will leave," he said. "Who is going to build the homes? Who is going to do landscaping?"
The partial boycott comes amid a flurry of rallies around the country in protest of federal efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. Police estimated that more than 10,000 people gathered Thursday in Milwaukee for a demonstration dubbed "A Day Without Latinos."
Herrera said the alliance, with the help of Spanish-language radio stations, might put out a call Friday morning for Hispanic immigrants to gather at a yet-to-be-named location in Norcross.
Metro Atlanta business owners, meanwhile, don't know what to expect.
Jerry Moore, co-owner of seven Burger Kings in Gwinnett County and one in DeKalb County, said his managers were getting mixed messages from a staff that's more than half Hispanic. Moore had already developed one contingency plan should many employees stay home. "We could treat it like a snow day and have just the drive-through open," he said.
Then again, much of his restaurants' clientele is Hispanic, too. "We may be short-staffed, but we may have more people than we need," Moore said.
Word of the call to stay home from work had Spanish-language radio stations buzzing Thursday with callers debating whether to comply. And at the General Assembly, Sen. Sam Zamarripa called on Georgians to pray over the weekend rather than stay home from work.
"The undocumented community has called for a peaceful work stoppage tomorrow, and I am not in a position to stop it," said Zamarripa, who has tried to soften the anti-illegal immigrant measure. " I understand their confusion; most of us do not fully comprehend the reach of SB 529."
The bill would prohibit adult illegal immigrants from getting many public benefits, financially penalize private employers who hire workers in the county unlawfully, and establish harsh penalties for human trafficking.
Supporters of the bill say it is the first step needed to address the growing number of people who enter the country illegally and burden schools, prisons and the health care system while paying few taxes and driving down wages for legal residents. Critics say the bill unfairly criminalizes poor laborers without seriously discouraging the people who hire them.
Jesus Brito was among the Hispanic business owners who planned to shut down today in protest. Brito, who was born in Mexico but is now a naturalized U.S. citizen, said he won't open his four Atlanta-area supermarkets so his 70 workers could participate as well.
Michael Pinzon, who promotes acts in Latino clubs around Atlanta, said many dance halls would stay closed on what is normally a lucrative night. A Mexican band scheduled to play at one club on Roswell Road will perform Saturday night instead, he said. "If people don't stand up and do something," said Pinzon, a second generation Colombian American, "then they won't be heard."
The proposed work stoppage also spilled over into at least one school. A homemade flyer circulating through the halls of Meadowcreek High in Norcross urged students contemplating a "skip day" to attend school today instead. Cutting class "will only prove to the pro-bill advocates that we neither want to be nor need to be in school," the flyer said.
The legislation working its way through the General Assembly would not affect illegal immigrants' access to K-12 education.
REALLY? YOU MEAN YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE TO OBEY OUR LAWS AND GO HOME? OH I'M SO HEARTBROKEN, MY HEART SO BLEEDS FOR YOU. NOT! WHY WAIT FOR THE LAW TO PASS? PLEASE, BY ALL MEANS, GO HOME NOW. DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU GUYS ON THE ARSE ON THE WAY OUT OF OUR COUNTRY. :DQuote:
"We're sending a strong message that if you pass a law that punishes these people, then they will leave,"
The same people that did them before you parasites showed up and the quality will be alot better. Maybe now I won't have to pay 300k for a town home.Quote:
"Who is going to build the homes? Who is going to do landscaping?"
The only reason you don't understand it is because you are a traitorous moron and you have your head buried up your backside and can't tell what's right is left and what left is right and vice versa. If you can't understand the difference between legal and illegal then you shouldn't be in office.Quote:
"The undocumented community has called for a peaceful work stoppage tomorrow, and I am not in a position to stop it," said Zamarripa, who has tried to soften the anti-illegal immigrant measure. " I understand their confusion; most of us do not fully comprehend the reach of SB 529."
I hope this a-hole never opens up his stores ever again. He sounds like another tard who needs to be boycotted himself.Quote:
Jesus Brito was among the Hispanic business owners who planned to shut down today in protest. Brito, who was born in Mexico but is now a naturalized U.S. citizen, said he won't open his four Atlanta-area supermarkets so his 70 workers could participate as well.
Go back to where you came from and stand up to your government there. Invaders have no right to protest to a government that is not theirs.Quote:
Michael Pinzon, who promotes acts in Latino clubs around Atlanta, said many dance halls would stay closed on what is normally a lucrative night. A Mexican band scheduled to play at one club on Roswell Road will perform Saturday night instead, he said. "If people don't stand up and do something," said Pinzon, a second generation Colombian American, "then they won't be heard."
Do you PROMISE? Can I help them get to the border? Take some to the airport or something?Quote:
Herrera said. "We're sending a strong message that if you pass a law that punishes these people, then they will leave,"
This is all the more reason to keep the pressure on, my friends :D :D :D
Watch, you will never hear about this Georgia boycott again.
They will flex their "economic might" , by staying home, or not buying anything, AND nobody will notice. Or people will notice an improvement in their day-to-day activities.
How is it, that everytime a "Day without illegal aliens", is planned, to show us how vitally dependent we are on their labor, nobody seems to notice?
Is anybody collecting information on these boycotts?
Could somebody stand up and say, " Here's a day without illegal aliens, and every thing was fine. Here's another day without illegal aliens, and every thing was fine, Here's another day without illegal aliens, and every thing was fine.
Here's another day without illegal aliens, and every thing was fine........"
You get the picture.
Do these boycotts produce evidence that we are better off without them?
Do these boycotts actually stop illegals from working, or buying?
-pa
http://www.ajc.com
Hispanics protest legislation
By Jim Tharpe, Brian Feagans | Friday, March 24, 2006, 12:38 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More than 100 Hispanic high school students waved Mexican flags and shouted “Justice” outside the state Capitol today to protest the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act, which passed the House or Representatives on Thursday.
“Everybody should have the same rights,” said Griffin High School student Zoila Ochoa who skipped school for the protest. “We just want justice.”
Many of the protesters waved Mexican flags and some sounded loud air horns. The crowd cheered loudly as several cars dove by, their passengers waving Mexican flags out the open windows.
Luis Rogue, an 18-year-old who attends Druid Hills High School, said he came with a group of students from Cross Keys High School
“I think the Hispanic population is a big part of the workforce,” Rogue said. “I think this bill discriminates against people who work hard.”
Rogue said his family members are legal residents and have been in the country 13 years. His dad works construction, he said, and his mother works in a restaurant.
The students were protesting Senate Bill 529, which is aimed a illegal immigrants and their employers.
The protest was not limited to the Capitol.
Hispanics stayed away from gas stations, restaurants and other businesses Friday to protest Georgia legislation cracking down on illegal immigration.
A stretch of Buford Highway usually bustling with Latino shoppers looked like a ghost town as many Hispanic-owned groceries, retailers and other stores stayed shut. And businesses that did open saw fewer customers.
Asif Khan, clerk of a Texaco near Chamblee, said Hispanics normally make up half the gas station’s clientele. But by 9 a.m., not a single Latino had passed through, said Khan, who was leisurely flipping through the newspaper. “I actually have time to read this,” he said.
Outside, Jody Darby wondered why he was the lone driver pumping gas. “I thought ‘Is it a holiday or what?,’” he said.
The March 17 Alliance of Georgia — a coalition of Hispanic clergy, business owners and activists — called on Hispanics to not buy anything today as a way of signaling the Latino community’s importance to the state’s economy. They also asked Hispanic workers to stay home if they could do so without jeopardizing their jobs. That piece of the partial boycott appeared to be getting less compliance.
Manuel Garcia said he and his 15-man landscaping crew were told they’d be fired if they didn’t show for work today. That’s why they were busily sprinkling pine straw around bushes and flower beds at warehouses along Best Friend Road in Norcross. “We have families to support,” Garcia said.
The workers went out their way to buy water yesterday, however, and brought their own lunches to avoid having to purchase anything today.
Ali Mesghali, owner of Rumi’s Kitchen on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs, said two of his cooks approached him to tell him about the boycott.
With a staff that’s a good mix of Hispanic and American workers, Mesghali closed the Persian eatery for lunch Friday, choosing instead to open for the day at 5 p.m. for dinner.
“We wanted to support the Spanish people,” Mesghali said. “I told them that if this is what you believe, I’m supporting you guys.”
Authored by state Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) the immigration bill has passed the state Senate and House, but the chambers passed different versions and a final bill could be fashioned by a conference committee before the Legislature adjourns.
Rogers’ bill attempts to prohibit adult illegal immigrants from getting taxpayer-funded benefits to which they are not entitled. It also attempts to ensure that companies with public contracts hire only workers in the country legally, and it would financially penalize private employers who hire illegal immigrants. The bill also would establish tough penalties for human trafficking.
House members added a provision in committee that would require illegal immigrants to pay a 5 percent surcharge on money they wire out of the country. That has upset some senators who might try to remove that section.
There are an estimated 250,000 to 800,000 illegal immigrants in Georgia — though no one has a precise number. Proponents of a crackdown say illegal immigrants burden schools, prisons and the health care system without footing an equal part of the tax burden. Opponents of Rogers’ proposal say immigrants are here seeking a better life, do pay taxes and take only the jobs Americans refuse.
Permalink | Comments (21) | Post your comment |
Comments
By chris
March 24, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this
I only hope for the best for ”mi raza” my people. America is the land of the free, the land of dreams, land of oppurtunity THEN AMERICA LETS SHOW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MOST OF MI PEOPLE all they want is a better life like anyone else yes we do have criminals and bad people but what race does not!!!!!!!
By Lee
March 24, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this
Illegal immigration is becoming a huge problem in many communities across Georgia. I wish we could simply build a wall on both borders to allow for better control over who is coming in and out of our country. Frankly, I am more worried about who is crossing the border from Canada than from Mexico. I hope we are keeping in mind that many Latinos have come here legally and that our nation is a nation of immigrants when we are writing this law. I would hate for this law to become a “I hate Mexicans” type of law instead of a “We are trying to discourage illegal immigration” type of law.
By George
March 24, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this
you people amaze me sometimes. you are all so welcoming to all these people, but then have the nerve to complain about how bad out economy is? do you not see the irony in this? they come here, they take jobs that can be given to americans, or LEGAL immigrants at half the money. then what happens? the americans and LEGAL immigrants have no job to support their family. there are very limited jobs that unskilled workers can do, and the ones available, you have these people taking them at a fraction. the american can not win in these cases. i am not saying don’t come into this country, everyone wants a better life, and i can respect that. but do it legally. sign papers, pay taxes, put back into the economy that you are robbing. please folks, stop being so politically correct, stop embracing every sob story, and think about what will happen in 10 years when we HAVE to speak spanish to get anything done.
By lew morris
March 24, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this
All I hear is they want justice they want respect, they are here illegally they broke our law we are a nation of laws where is our justice where is our respect. I wish someone will tell me who said they are doing the jobs that no one else want to do,so far no has been able to tell mw who said that. lew
By Kenneth Smith
March 24, 2006 01:58 PM | Link to this
I try not to sound preduice. However, the law is the law. Many Hispanics/Mexicons have already broken “our” law by coming into this country illegally and should be deported or incarcerated. And to protest and try to dictate how we should run this State is an insult. We cannot go to their country and do this. They should come into this country legally and/or become a U.S. citizen. Then voice your opinion regarding U.S. and State laws.
By carol
March 24, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
Pay taxes, learn to speak English, quit taking jobs away from americans that can’t get a job because you work for nothing. If you want a better life in American, step up to the plate and do the same things we Americans have to do to maintain a better life. Stop looking for a handout.
By Dick
March 24, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this
Ole Theodore Roosevelt said it pretty well in 1907. “IN the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discrimiate against any such man because of creed, or birth place or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American and nothing but an American….There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also isn’t an American at all. We have room but for ONE flag, the American flag We have room for ONE language here and that is the English language and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American People.
By A Worker
March 24, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this
The pertinent word here is “illegal.” I don’t think most rational citizens have a problem with the hard-working, legal immigrants throughout this state. Illegal immigrants should not be treated the same as the rest of the citizenry because the fact that they are here is criminal.
By TC
March 24, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this
Its about time the government did something, they come over here and cant read or speak english and get a phoney drivers licenses and dont know how to drive and dont have insurance, when they have a accident then we have to take the loss and how about when they bring they’re kids here and put them in the schools with our kids and wonder why the test scores are so low when they first cant read or write english then our kids have to suffer because of them, that is not fair or how about when 10 of them live in a 1 bedroom apt and have 7 or 8 cars taking up spaces and then you have no place close to park to your apartment. how about we have to pay when they get hurt and go to the hospitals which we pay taxes for and they dont have benefits, and how about go look in some of these warehouses and constructions places and see how many mexicans are working then go check to see how many unemployed american construction workers we have and warehouse workers. why do we have to learn spanish and do special things for them when this is our home, if they dont like it then go back to mexico but please get them out of here!!!!
By Ajamu
March 24, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this
It is a shame that the assumption is made that immigrants, Mexican,Ecuadoran or what ever, come here with clean records. Why are there no background checks for these people?Because it’s impossible! Yet Black men cannot get a look if they have a record. How do you justify hiring a Mexican drug dealer, gang member, possibly murderer here illegally over an African American man who has one minor public disorderly conduct charge as his entire criminal record? I personally want to see more Black men working on road and housing construction jobs. They have the skills. Enough is enough.
By Karol
March 24, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this
People this is not a law just for (mexicans) what about the africans that are here illegaly or the asian’s or the canadian’s that don’t have green cards??? But all you hear is about “Mexican’s” Not all hispanics are illegals!!!
By RWH
March 24, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this
Often times others think that people have something against them. That’s not true in this situation. It appear that immigrants thinks America old them. Yes, they do if the immigrants pull back and attempt to do what is right, just and fair. There can be no second guessing on illegal immigrants continuing to come and take their place here without doing so properly. Yes, they can build homes, lay bricks and vice versa; so can American Labor force do the same. So we must first do what is right by America-people and then do what is right by all those who come to America legally. Its just no other way we can solve this issue or be on the right road.
By Joshua Rivera (14 years old)
March 24, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this
I think that immigrants should be allowed in America because they are making the country a better place to live. They are working jobs that Americans refuse to work. They pay taxes and abide by the law. America should start showing that it’s the land of opportunities because that is the reason people immigrate to this country. They want better jobs and a better life for their children which are the future of this world.
By Cedric Moore
March 24, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this
Don’t try to have your way and most of ynot even here legally. The majority of Mexicans can’t even speak English (or they pretend not to speak English). Everything is written in Spanish for them in Atlanta. Learn to speak (American) English first and become a citizen before being critical of laws in Georgia. Plus, I know plenty of Americans that do the same jobs that they do. I believe this country can survive without them working here.
By Lillian
March 24, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this
There has been a lot of talk from the American public and certain AM talk radio stations about today’s boycott. What I want to say to those people and those that are reading this comment is… don’t forget where YOU came from!!! Your ancestors were immigrants too. Don’t forget about those ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (not only “Mexicans” or Hispanics)that are working under the scorching sun, the blasting cold, the depressing factories, and any other places or conditions that YOU would not work for, especially for the amount that they are being paid. These so called “Criminals” are not complaining, all they want is the opportunity to LIVE. They hope to one day be legal, but that process takes time. They want to get Visa’s, but they need to show that they own property and have a good amount of money in the bank (they don’t even have money to pay their SHACK). I have seen this with my own eyes!
I am a Hispanic AMERICAN, my family owns businesses, homes, cars, etc. I probably speak better English than the average “American.” I am an EXCELLENT Citizen and I am on the Dean’s List at Georgia State University. Give these people the opportunity to LIVE the way this country has given YOU/YOUR ANCESTORS and ME the same opportunity.
By Lily
March 24, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this
We are quick to say don’t allow the Hispanics/Latinos in, but as we all know they are the ones who are building homes, cleaning bathroom, cleaning hotel rooms, etc.. Yes, they are willing to work for half the amount of money that Americans are, but think about it. If we have to pay more to “American” workers, then that’s only going to drive the cost of services up. Think about that the next time you hire someone to mow your lawn. I’m not saying open the flood gates and let everyone in, but if they are here legally and are paying taxes then they have the same rights as you and I.
By alex
March 24, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this
“THEY TOOK ARE JOBS!” ok you guys, do you want to work in construction, poultry plant,janitor? i didn’t think so. And how can you say they don’t contribute. Even if they are paid under the table they still pay sales taxes and exise taxes, so get your facts straight before you start rambling about how immigrants are bad for the economy. You sound like a bunch of racist know nothings when you say junk like that. Besides AMERICA (land of the free) is where everyone came to make a better life. Talk to them, get their story before you make judgment. My grand parents were italian and if they were rejected then i wouldn’t be here today. I hope you all open your eyes and remember we are are all human and all equal… even if you think otherwise. -alex
By jen
March 24, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this
This is a country of immigrants however we need to do everything the right way. If an immigrant from another country not just hispanics but also from europe, asia, canada etc wants to live here than they should do everything legally..People who live here illegal need to become legals and pay taxes…
By KC
March 24, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this
Wow. I love the “they broke the law” argument. How very pious. And each of you who use it has never broken the law? Never exceeded the speed limit by just 1 mile per hour? Never parked in a “no parking” zone for just a “quick sec”? Never maybe had one too many and drove home “very carefully”? Ever had oral sex with your wife or husband? That’s a felony in this state, you know. Let’s not just say “they broke the law”. It’s almost impossible to legally get a work permit to enter this country from Mexico. You have to have a blood relative here legally who will “sponsor” your admission and then go through a half dozen hoops to get the visa. I don’t think any of our ancestors had to apply for a green card when we came here, and I don’t think the natives spoke our language and we sure as heck didn’t learn to fit into their culture. This debate isn’t about economic constraint or enforcing the law, it’s about Americans who don’t like walking into a store and meeting a Mexican face to face. That, my friends, is simple bigotry. If we’re so concerned that they aren’t citizens why not debate a more novel idea…make them citizens! Oh…by the way…the American Southwest WAS Mexico until we started a war with Mexico and took it.
By Amanda
March 24, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this
I think this has gotten out of hand. I am an American, born and raised. I do not have a problem with people immigrating to this country. What I do have a problem with are the people who do so illegally. Funding is being taken away from our natural-born and legal immigrant citizens to take care of illegal immigrants and it is not right nor just. If people want to live the “American Dream” and reap the benefits then they need to pay the consequences, or taxes, like the rest of us. They also need to learn how to speak English, which is the American language. When in Rome do as the Romans do, etc.
By TL
March 24, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this
LEGAL immigrants should be treated as American born citizens. ILLEGAL immigrants should be DEPORTED!!!!
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/st ... 9668.shtml
Boycott call divides Latinos
By RICK LAVENDER
The Times
Lupe Velazquez and her husband will be at work in their Atlanta Highway grocery today. Their school-aged children will be in class.
For Lupe, "education is the most important thing."
But the small grocery Narciso Vazquez runs on Hancock Avenue will be closed. And his three children will be at home.
"The point is to show to ... the government we've got our rights, we've got power," Vazquez said.
The opposing approaches to a statewide call encouraging Latinos to skip shopping and work if possible today underscores the uncertainty of how the day will unfold.
Activists and Spanish-speaking media have promoted the "day of dignity" as a way to highlight immigrants' influence in the state economy.
The boycott originates in debate over a remake of state immigration policy that will bar illegal immigrants from some services and add a 5 percent surcharge on wire transfers from undocumented residents.
The House easily passed the bill Thursday, tackling it a day sooner than expected. The Senate must approve the amended legislation before it goes to Gov. Sonny Perdue.
The controversy has fed rumors and pleas for calm. It also has resonated in Hall County, where the Latino, or Hispanic, population is projected to top 51,000, more than a third of the population, by 2009.
As of Thursday:
Poultry companies expected some no-shows. How many was a guess.
At Baldwin-based Fieldale Farms, which employs 4,700, "We're hopeful we'll be able to process chicken in some sort of normal fashion," said Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Tom Hensley.
Mar-Jac Poultry looked for limited layouts among its 1,200 workers as soon as Thursday's overnight shift. Normal attendance policy will apply, plant manager Phillip Turner said. Absences require approval. "There's not going to be any special action taken one way or the other," Turner said.
Wal-Mart on Shallowford Road, a shopping focal point for Latinos, planned for "business as usual," manager Anthony Howard said.
The same held for El Sombrero restaurant on Browns Bridge Road and Los Alacranes, a corner grocery at Auburn Avenue and Hazel Street. Los Alacranes' Jose Reyes said he will not close. "I came from Mexico to the United States to work."
Rumors rumbled like thunder. No, Gainesville did not receive or deny a request for a march by protesters. No, immigration officials weren't going to raid Wal-Mart or schools searching for illegal immigrants.
"A community already in the shadows is terrified," said state Sen. Sam Zamarripa, the Senate's lone Latino member. "This is an unprecedented level of fear."
Ramon Arteaga will close his La Flor de Jalisco supermarkets on Atlanta Highway and Industrial Boulevard for the day, but out of concern about a backlash against the stores or employees. "I don't think they're doing the right thing," Arteaga said of the boycott, rating it ill communicated and confusing.
The outlook for schools will be cloudy until the first bell rings. Gainesville schools sent a letter to parents stressing schools as safe haven and saying children need to be in class.
Lupe Velazquez said her daughter, who attends Mill Creek High School near Buford, asked if she could stay home like many in her Spanish class. Lupe's response: "No way."
She and her husband, Gabriel, stress education with their four children. Two are in college. The youngest is in elementary school.
Lupe, who runs El Mercadito at 1870 Atlanta Highway with Gabriel, understands the protest. But she maintains that it targets "American" businesses, which she'll avoid shopping at today, not Latino-owned ones like their store. "So I don't see a reason to close."
To Narciso Vazquez, father of a seventh-, a fifth- and a first-grader, the emphasis fits the action. He called it "alionsa Latina," which he described as an old Spanish phrase referring to community coming together.
Closing his seven-day-a-week grocery Carniceria La Chiquita at 1181 Hancock Ave. for a day is hard, Vazquez said. "But we've got to do it."
Teodoro Maus of the Coordinating Committee of Community Leaders would agree. He said some workers had received approval from employers not to come to work and that some 40 butcher shops and 30 supermarkets will shut down in solidarity.
"Don't buy anything on Friday; see what happens," Maus said at a Capitol news conference. "If you can, don't go to work."
Local leaders question that effort.
State Rep. James Mills, R-Chestnut Mountain, a co-sponsor of a bill that would levy a surcharge on international wire transfers, called the talk of boycotts and work stoppage "a smokescreen."
"When the facts are against you, some people would rather create a smokescreen than talk about the facts," Mills said. "There are a few people who are misleading a whole crowd and that's unfortunate."
Gainesville City Councilman George Wangemann worried about community and sales tax fallout.
"I think there are ways and means of working with people," said Wangemann, who leads an annual forum reaching out to area immigrants.
Officials urged people on all sides to remain calm in the days ahead. "Do not pour gasoline on this fire," said Zamarripa, D-Atlanta.
The Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials called for prayer about the bill, sponsored by Sen. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, even as it urged residents to contact lawmakers to oppose it.
According to fliers distributed locally, a protest is set for 10 this morning at the Capitol.
Times reporter Harris Blackwood and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Contact: rlavender@gainesvilletimes.com, (770) 718-3411
http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/hall/ ... ?ID=102231
Updated Friday, March 24 at 6:57 AM
Possible boycott could hurt local tax base
by Fokes Link
GAINESVILLE - Gainesville City Councilman George Wangemann expressed concern at Thursday's city council work session about a possible Hispanic boycott of businesses in Gainesville.
"The word is out that many of them will boycott some of our businesses," he said, "I'm concerned as a local official from the standpoint of having our sales tax collections affected in some degree, since we have so many immigrants in this area."
Sources suggest the boycott is being urged in response to immigration reforms going through the General Assembly.
It may be, in part, some peaceful retribution against some of the state bills that have been introduced," said Wangemann, "For what they consider to be lack of appreciation for them being here and being contributing members of our community."
Though Wangemann sympathized with those affected by immigration reform bills, he said he does not believe that local businesses should be held accountable for the actions of state politicians.
HANDS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY
The City of Gainesville will be partnering this year with Lanier Technical College for Hands Across the Community to work with the local Hispanic Community.
"This year we're going to highlight education, and promote some of the skill sets that may be useful to Hispanics who live in the area to get a better education so that they can build our community in a more effective way," said Wangemann.
Last year the event was called Hands Across the Border, and it emphasized local services.
"To be quite honest, we think the new name is more politically correct," he said, "That's probably a minor reason. I think the new title more aptly describes what we are, and what we're going to do is reach out to those who are already here in the community."
The event will be held June 10 at the Lanier Career Academy on Atlanta Hwy.
"We just want to take advantage of the constructive energies of peoples of all nationalities that come to our community to help us and join with us in building a better community rather than tearing it down."
http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/hall/ ... ?ID=102276
Posted Friday, March 24 at 12:14 PM
Irvin: No reports of work stoppage on farms
by The Associated Press
ATLANTA - Georgia's agricultural commissionr -- Tommy Irvin -- says he has had no reports of immigrant work stoppages on farms throughout the state.
He also notes that few crops are being harvested this time of year.
He says the first major crop will be next month when Vidalion onions are harvested. After that will come peaches and vegetable crops.
Irvin says Congress needs to resolve immigrant worker issues so farmers can count on having a legal, reliable work force. Many Georgia farmers are concerned about a possible worker shortage this year because of the growing concern about illegal immigrants. Farmers also believe that many migrant workers have gone to the Gulf of Mexico for higher-paying jobs clearing the wreckage of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Shelton Singletary of Gainous Agricultural Services, a farm labor contractor in Cairo, said he was unaware of any work stoppages, and Tina Sanchez, a Hispanic advocate in Moultrie, said she didn't think many of the immigrant workers in rural Georgia were taking part in the stoppage.
``I don't think people found out about it,'' she said. ``It's more about communications television, radio, newspapers. We just don't have that communication in south Georgia.''
There's no word, so far, on the impact on poultry plants in the Gainesville area. A representative of one said they were not talking about the situation.
As for retail outlets in Gainesville, the parking lot at the Gainesvile Wal-Mart was full at noon Friday. That store is a favorite of Latinos in the area.
It was a different scenario in one part of metro Atlanta, though.
Jose Castro said there was something different about Buford Highway, well known for its many Hispanic and other ethnic businesses on the north side of Atlanta, as he stood at the bus stop Friday.
Missing was the familiar hustle and bustle that the Mexican immigrant is used to seeing.
``Everybody's no work. No many working. Everybody no go shopping,'' Castro, 26, said in halting English. ``Everything is low.''
Immigrant communities encouraged a work stoppage to protest a bill passed by the Georgia House Thursday that allows sweeping changes to the state's policies on immigrants.
The bill, which must get Senate approval before going to Gov. Sonny Perdue, would deny state services to adults living in the U.S. illegally and impose a 5 percent surcharge on wire transfers from illegals.
Supporters say the plan is a vital homeland security measure that frees up limited state services for Georgia residents who are legally entitled to them. Opponents say it unfairly targets workers who are merely responding to the demands of some of the state's largest industries.
At the Latin American Association in Atlanta, spokesman Josh Hopkins said his office has been inundated with calls from Hispanic residents confused by the bill. The center will host a forum Sunday with legal experts who can tell the community more about the plan.
``We oppose legislation that marginalizes the population,'' Hopkins said.
The work stoppage was not observed by everyone.
At Plaza Fiesta, Buford Highway's largest mall filled with Hispanic businesses, many of the stores appeared to be open for business Friday.
Back at the bus stop, Castro said he still was planning to go to work at a Mexican restaurant where he is a cook. But he's not sure if he'll end up working, because his boss previously said the restaurant might close because of the work stoppage.
Castro said he doesn't understand how the bill will benefit Georgians, because Hispanics eat a restaurants and buy goods and services.
``I think it's no good for Latins, no good for America,'' he said. ``I come for work. Everybody is coming here for work. Not for problems.''
http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_ne ... p?ID=73102
Immigrant work stoppage aimed at Georgia legislation
The Associated Press - ATLANTA
Jose Castro said there was something different about Buford Highway, well known for its many Hispanic and other ethnic businesses, as he stood at the bus stop Friday.
Missing was the familiar hustle and bustle that the Mexican immigrant is used to seeing.
"Everybody's no work. No many working. Everybody no go shopping," Castro, 26, said in halting English. "Everything is low."
Immigrant communities encouraged a work stoppage to protest a bill passed by the Georgia House Thursday that allows sweeping changes to the state's policies on immigrants.
The bill, which must get Senate approval before going to Gov. Sonny Perdue, would deny state services to adults living in the U.S. illegally and impose a 5 percent surcharge on wire transfers from illegals.
Supporters say the plan is a vital homeland security measure that frees up limited state services for Georgia residents who are legally entitled to them. Opponents say it unfairly targets workers who are merely responding to the demands of some of the state's largest industries.
At the Latin American Association in Atlanta, spokesman Josh Hopkins said his office has been inundated with calls from Hispanic residents confused by the bill. The center will host a forum Sunday with legal experts who can tell the community more about the plan.
"We oppose legislation that marginalizes the population," Hopkins said.
The work stoppage was not observed by everyone.
At Plaza Fiesta, Buford Highway's largest mall filled with Hispanic businesses, many of the stores appeared to be open for business Friday.
Back at the bus stop, Castro said he still was planning to go to work at a Mexican restaurant where he is a cook. But he's not sure if he'll end up working, because his boss previously said the restaurant might close because of the work stoppage.
Castro said he doesn't understand how the bill will benefit Georgians, because Hispanics eat a restaurants and buy goods and services.
"I think it's no good for Latins, no good for America," he said. "I come for work. Everybody is coming here for work. Not for problems."
Tommy Irvin, Georgia's agricultural commissioner, said he had had no reports of immigrant work stoppages on farms throughout Georgia. He also noted that few crops are being harvested this time of year.
"The first major crop will be next month, Vidalia onion," he said. "Behind that will be peaches and other vegetable crops."
Irvin said Congress needs to resolve immigrant worker issues so that farmers can count on having a legal, reliable work force. With the growing concern about illegal immigrants and the belief that many farmworkers have gone to the Gulf of Mexico for higher-paying jobs clearing the wreckage of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, many Georgia farmers are concerned about a possible worker shortage this year.
"We won't really know until the time comes," Irvin said.
R.T. Stanley in Vidalia, who owns a large onion farm and employs many immigrant workers. He said he only has about 12 working for him right now and they all showed up for work today.
Shelton Singletary of Gainous Agricultural Services, a farm labor contractor in Cairo, said he was unaware of any work stoppages, and Tina Sanchez, a Hispanic advocate in Moultrie, said she didn't think many of the immigrant workers in rural Georgia were taking part in the stoppage.
"I don't think people found out about it," she said. "It's more about communications _ television, radio, newspapers. We just don't have that communication in south Georgia."
____
Associated Press correspondents Elliott Minor in Albany and Russ Bynum in Savannah contributed to this report.
This stuff just makes me want to cuss a blue streak. I don't care if they all close down their stores. If they feel so abused here, I wish they would all pack up and go back where they came from and take half a dozen of the illegals with them.
I'm going to change my avatar to a violin!