Thread: Immigration activists plot for fall elections

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/ ... 267055.htm

Posted on Sun, Aug. 13, 2006


Immigration activists plot for fall elections



By Oscar Avila and Antonio Olivo

Chicago Tribune

(MCT)

CHICAGO - The organizers of massive coast-to-coast immigrant marches tried to keep their growing national movement headed in the same direction Sunday by devising a strategy for the fall elections.

About 400 participants from 25 states gathered for a two-day national convention in Hillside, Ill., to debate how best to achieve legalization for all of the nation's 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants and a moratorium on raids and deportations by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Immigrant leaders created their first formal national structure, taking the place of a loose catch-all of labor unions, immigrant advocacy groups, ministers and students whose informality was once viewed as a strength.

The convention appointed about 60 volunteers to form a national steering committee called the National Alliance for Immigrant Rights. The group will help coordinate a national series of events on Sept. 30 that could include pickets and prayer vigils.

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., told participants that they must focus on electoral strategies after mobilizing hundreds of thousands. Gutierrez said he has given up hope that Congress will pass immigration reform before the November elections.

"It's nice to have marches. I go to all of them," Gutierrez said. "But there is something that has to happen after a march. You register to vote. Congress will only move when it is in fear of losing power."

But some lawmakers say the marches have actually mobilized the opponents of legalization as well.

On Saturday, about 20 members of the Chicago Minuteman Project, a group that opposes illegal immigration, protested the convention on a sidewalk outside the hotel. Rick Biesada, the group's director, said he was concerned about the convention's goals of more sophisticated organizing.

"I don't know what they plan to accomplish," Biesada said, staring across a parking lot at some conference attendees who had gathered outside and were staring back. "It won't be good."

Convention participants plan to keep marching. On Labor Day weekend, for example, Chicago-area activists plan a four-day trek from Chinatown to the Batavia district office of House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

But they brainstormed other responses, including boycotts against companies that support elected officials who are tough against illegal immigration.

Participants passionately debated whether to lay the groundwork for a national strike of immigrants.

Some activists worried that their announcement would be seen as a bluff. But Chicago activist Carlos Perez said the group must prepare "a strong counterattack" if the U.S. government greatly expands raids and deportations against illegal immigrants.

The group also split on whether to endorse a resolution condemning the U.S. government for invading Iraq, supporting Israel's military strikes against Lebanon and responding slowly after Hurricane Katrina.

"These issues are valid, but our communities did not send us here to take positions on what's happening all over the world," said Nativo Lopez, national director of Hermandad Mexicana, representing the consensus.

The convention organizers did take heat from a few participants upset that Latino immigrants had dominated the movement. The entire convention was in Spanish with translation provided for other participants on headphones.

Berna Ellorin, of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns, fumed that Asians and other immigrants appeared to be merely token participants used for photo opportunities.

"It's not enough to say we are all-inclusive and then come up with an all-Latino leadership. We have to practice what we preach," she said.

Jorge Mujica, member of the Chicago-based March 10 Committee, said Korean, Irish and other activists are already among the leaders and expressed hope in a taskforce created Sunday for outreach to non-Latino immigrants and others. He said activists must create a permanent national network with broad support and real staying power.

"If not," he said, "this movement that started with marching will not march forward."

Some activists worried that their announcement would be seen as a bluff. But Chicago activist Carlos Perez said the group must prepare "a strong counterattack" if the U.S. government greatly expands raids and deportations against illegal immigrants.

"A strong counterattack" eh? These people are feeling too empowered aren't they? I hope more articles like this are written to wake this country up.

Amazing what our government has let happen to this country. Unbelievable.

"It's nice to have marches. I go to all of them," Gutierrez said. "But there is something that has to happen after a march. You register to vote. Congress will only move when it is in fear of losing power."

That's why we must let our elected representatives know, in no uncertain terms, that they will be removed from office if our laws aren't enforced and amnesty is granted.

Some activists worried that their announcement would be seen as a bluff. But Chicago activist Carlos Perez said the group must prepare "a strong counterattack" if the U.S. government greatly expands raids and deportations against illegal immigrants.

Counter-attack? Sounds like a threat to me If the govenment 'greatly expands raids and deportations against illegal immigrants', then by god you better recognize that, Perez. What is your counter-attack? Riot in the streets because the illegals would have to go back? You better think twice.

The problem with people like Perez is that no one is holding them accountable for the things that they say, like this threat above.