Thread: Valley Hispanic boycott called a success

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... ott11.html

Valley Hispanic boycott called a success

Valley Hispanic boycott called a success

Yvette Armendariz
The Arizona Republic
May. 11, 2005 12:00 AM

Organizers of an economic boycott asking Hispanics not to go to work or spend money on Tuesday say the day was a success, drawing thousands of people in support.

Although businesses around the Valley for the most part did not come to a stop, Hispanics gave up lunching out or shopping in support of the boycott.

The boycott was a response to dozens of measures pending in the state Legislature that propose restrictions on undocumented immigrants.

Hispanics who could afford it or believed it was worth missing a day of pay showed up at rallies instead of work.

"It couldn't have gone any better. It was more than I expected," said organizer Elias Bermudez, executive director of Centro de Ayuda (Center of Help), which assists immigrants in filling out immigration and tax documents.

Bermudez also called the event to draw attention to the significance of Hispanic workers on the economy. He said at least 2,000 people showed up at the state Capitol to deliver the economic and protest message to legislators.

Several restaurants, carwashes, construction companies and golf courses reported higher absenteeism. Some, such as Baja Fresh Downtown, closed for the day. Lombardi's Restaurant at Arizona Center limited its menu to salads and pastas because of a reduced kitchen crew.

Some roofing companies were crippled by the boycott. An office worker who answered the phone at Catalina Roofing and Supply in Phoenix said none of the company's 160 roofers showed up for work Tuesday.

At San Tan Roofing and Superstition Carpentry in Gilbert, half of the company's 150 roofers and 400 of its 700 framers didn't show up for work, Chief Financial Officer William McGlothlin said. Ninety percent of the company's workforce is Hispanic.

"Hopefully they will show up tomorrow, and it will be business as usual," he said.

But other employers said they saw little effect. Bill Rupert, golf course superintendent of Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, said all of his Hispanic workers showed up except two who called in sick. He wasn't sure whether they were boycotting or were ill.

Ann Lane, public relations director for Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, said of the resort's 240 Hispanic workers, only six participated in the boycott.

She said they came to work but left "because they felt they really needed to support their cause."

Others were also sympathetic, even if the boycott created havoc. McGlothlin, for example, said he had no intention of firing workers who participated in the boycott.

"In fact, we are hiring," he said.

Jorge Rivas, 26, who earns $110 a day as a roofer, was among the hundreds who stayed home.

"We are trying to stop the anti-immigrant laws that they are introducing against us who don't have papers," said Rivas, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico.

"They say we are coming here to take advantage of public benefits, but we are coming here to work and to find success we couldn't have in our own countries."

Many others, such as receptionist Gabriela Escalante, 25, are thought to have protested with their wallets.

Average daily purchasing power by Hispanics in Arizona is $57.35 million, according to the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia.

They contribute about 14.4 percent of the state's total purchasing power.

Boycott supporters gathered at several retail centers, urging Hispanics not to spend. A protest in front of a Wal-Mart near 75th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard attracted as many as 500.

Some carried signs protesting Proposition 200, a voter-registration measure that targeted undocumented immigrants, and discrimination and attempts to end health care and education for immigrants.

Wal-Mart, which had few shoppers during the protest, said it had no comment. Westcor shopping centers also were targets of protest. Company officials referred comment to individual retailers, who generally declined to comment or did not return calls.

Vendor Javier Hernandez said he had sold no music or movies as of Tuesday afternoon. He sets up a blanket in front of a 99 Cent Store at a shopping center at Mesa Drive and Southern Avenue.

"Other days there are many people here buying at Food City and this dollar store," he said. "But today, nothing."

"When Americans demonize immigrants, they demonize themselves," said Abel Levezma, 29, a protester at Wal-Mart. "We are a nation of immigrants. We are all here to make this country greater."

Levezma, from Chihuahua, Mexico, said that he has had a work permit since 1993, and he has been trying to become a U.S. citizen ever since.

Staff members David Madrid, Daniel González, Carol Sowers, Dan Shearer and Yvonne Wingett contributed to this article.

Some roofing companies were crippled by the boycott. An office worker who answered the phone at Catalina Roofing and Supply in Phoenix said none of the company's 160 roofers showed up for work Tuesday.

My take on that, is TOO bad. Shouldn't hire so many illegals!!!

H.

It sounds like alot of bull to me. I bet none of those businesses were affected much and the illegals that didn't show up for work were probably fired and replaced within a matter of hours. Businesses were probably lying so they can make it out to look like that they really are experiencing a huge labor shortage and that they really do need these illegals to fill these jobs. No way are these people telling you the truth or if they are it's a very small fraction of it and they are exaggerating their claims to make it sound good. The OBL is all about lies and deception. I just don't believe a word of this.

Some roofing companies were crippled by the boycott. An office worker who answered the phone at Catalina Roofing and Supply in Phoenix said none of the company's 160 roofers showed up for work Tuesday.

At San Tan Roofing and Superstition Carpentry in Gilbert, half of the company's 150 roofers and 400 of its 700 framers didn't show up for work, Chief Financial Officer William McGlothlin said. Ninety percent of the company's workforce is Hispanic.

That's your own fault dummy. You shouldn't hire so many criminals. You get what you pay for.

I'd have to see it to believe it. If those people have hired 90% illegals...what a GREAT target they are for applying federal laws against hiring illegals.

RR

INFORMATION from the ground, LOL

I have a friend in Phoenix who went out and about {several times for accuracy} taking pictures to document the "boycott."

THERE WASN'T ONE, according to what he witnessed. Everyone was working and stores bustled etc. etc. He felt it was a complete bust.

If they stop working and buying and go back to where they came legal american's can come back into their jobs and spend at stores.

Do they really believe we can live without them!!! HA! Dream on your still in wonderland! GIVE US BACK OUR COUNTRY WE DID FINE WITHOUT ANY OF YOU!

It is true there are stores right here in town that I 'boycott'. I just don't shop there b/c they cater to illegals. I don't want to be around them or among them or give my tacit permission for them to be here. That leaves those stores with little other than the mexican trade. When we get those deported those same stores will have to go out of business.

RR

Originally Posted by 2ndamendsis

INFORMATION from the ground, LOL

I have a friend in Phoenix who went out and about {several times for accuracy} taking pictures to document the "boycott."

THERE WASN'T ONE, according to what he witnessed. Everyone was working and stores bustled etc. etc. He felt it was a complete bust.

I was 95% sure this was the case. I am sure there was a boycott and rally. Several dozen (out of a popluation of what, 4 million?) probably attended. WOW, what a force they are