Thread: Marches, Boycotts Mark Immigration Protests In N.C.

http://www.wral.com/news/8602458/detail.html

SMITHFIELD, N.C. -- Hundreds of Hispanics marched in North Carolina on Monday, joining a series of demonstrations across the country in protest of a measure before Congress that would make illegal immigration a felony.

More than 200 people walked five miles along a highway in Smithfield, about 30 miles southeast of Raleigh in Johnston County, many carrying American flags and wearing white.

Two weeks ago, students at Smithfield-Selma High School walked out of class in protest as the Senate began debating the legislation. Many of the students are U.S. citizens, but their parents or other relatives would face deportation under the measure.

"If this thing were to pass, it would split our families," said Dina Martinez, a student at West Johnston High School who marched with her mother, sisters, and two aunts.

Elsewhere in North Carolina, crowds gathered in Siler City for the latest stop on a cross-state march scheduled to culminate Friday in Raleigh. In Charlotte, hundreds of Latinos planned to skip work or boycott all purchases on Monday to demonstrate the financial impact of the Latino community.

"We're hoping that employers stop to consider what this is all about," said Adriana Galvez, who helped organize the "No Consumption" day. "That if you need people here to do the work, to buy, then give them a legal channel to get here."

Some workers in Charlotte said they would skip work with the blessing of their Latino bosses.

Jose Demetrio, 29, said his employer has about 100 Hispanics working for him in construction, and all were expected to be absent Monday with his consent.

"I was surprised, because he also comes out losing," Demetrio said.

Workers in other cities also left their jobs _ sometimes, their own businesses _ to take part in demonstrations.

Giovany Cortez shut down his car repair shop in Magnolia to participate in the Smithfield protest 60 miles away. Cortez is in the country legally, but said he was marching "so that people can see that we are all here together."

The lack of workers forced Progressive Furniture Manufacturing in Claremont to close for the day. Of the company's 600-person work force, 161 did not come to work Monday, said David Short, Progressive's human resources director.

Short said he didn't understand the workers' philosophy.

"I'm not really sure where the 'don't go to work' came from him," he said. "Demonstrating economic interest is fine, but doing it by not going to work, that doesn't seem to make any sense."

About 100 people held signs in English and Spanish and chanted "We are not criminals!" at a rally organized by the Carolina Hispanic Association at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Nancy Fernandez, a 19-year-old sophomore from New York, said her mother came to the United States from Colombia when she was seven months pregnant, " just so that I could be born a U.S. citizen." Her parents are now both U.S. citizens, she said.

"Especially as children of immigrants, we realize all the struggle they went through," she said. "If we didn't do this, we would feel like we're neglecting the fruits of their labor."

Crowds gathered in Siler City for a late afternoon demonstration as part of a Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace that began in Lenoir and stopped in Hickory on Sunday.

The march, co-sponsored by the Carolina Interfaith Task Force on Central America and 20 other organizations and churches, was to pass through Durham and other communities before ending Friday in Raleigh.

In Siler City, Alfredo Villanueva said Latinos aren't criminals, just people seeking jobs. He declined to discuss his documentation status but said he has been in Siler City for six years.

"They want to make us criminals," he said through his son, Eduardo. "We're here to work, that's all."

Also Monday, Elon University released poll results showing that 71 percent of North Carolinians believe illegal immigration is an important issue. They were split, though, about whether it has helped the state.

Of the 677 participants, 44 percent said illegal immigration has been bad for North Carolina, while 43 percent said it has been good or hasn't made much difference.

The survey was conducted April 2-6 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percent.

Participants were asked their opinions about a variety of statements to determine what makes immigration an important issue to them. More than 70 percent agreed that providing school, health care and similar services for illegal immigrants costs too much and 72 percent said such immigrants don't pay their fair share of taxes.

Margin of Error on Elon Polls is about 30% ! They are always weighing in and their reading are ALWAYS inconsistent with the trend of most other polls. Their polls are always skewed towards benefits for illegal immigrants.

W

I'm not really sure where the 'don't go to work' came from him," he said. "Demonstrating economic interest is fine, but doing it by not going to work, that doesn't seem to make any sense."

That's what happens when you hire illegal aliens.

We need a barrage of e-mails and calls into WRAL asking where the balance is in this coverage? There is no comment in this article from the opposing view. This is not ethical.

I'm placing my call now. Please joing me.

www.wral.com


W

WRAL

Fair and balanced?

Where is the opposing view in your article about the illegal alien protests in NC???

I took journalism in college. Did they not teach us that each side of the issue should be given equal time? Why is your article one sided? Is it because the owner of WRAL now owns half of Que Pasa the Spanish newspaper in NC?