Thread: Mexican Workers Protest U.S. Influence

Mexican Workers Protest U.S. Influence

Mexican Workers Protest U.S. Influence By ALAN CLENDENNING, AP Business Writer
47 minutes ago



MEXICO CITY - A demonstration by thousands of Mexican workers Friday to promote union solidarity turned into a protest against America's vast influence on the nation's economy, with many protesters saying they will take part in a boycott of all things "gringo" next week.


Waving signs saying "Don't Buy Gringo Products. Long live the Boycott," about 3,000 workers with Mexico's state-owned electrical utility blocked traffic on a major highway and then marched 3 kilometers (2 miles) to a colonial plaza in the city's center.

The proposed boycott — known as the "Nothing Gringo" campaign — is timed to coincide with Monday's "Day Without Immigrants" protest in the United States aimed at pushing forward a proposal for immigration reform including legalization for many of the estimated 11 million undocumented migrants.

In Mexico, the boycott has also turned into a rallying cry for groups opposed to U.S. economic influence south of the American border.

While the protest was called to express solidarity with a police raid on striking miners that killed two last week in a southern Mexican city, the protesters used the opportunity to express their ire at corporations and privatizations they say enslave Mexican workers for the sake of profit.

Isaac Morales, a 36-year-old electrician, said he and his family will stop eating fast food at stores like McDonald's and Burger King next week to support the boycott.

"This is a struggle for all of the unions," Morales said. "We should do it forever, because it's essential to buy Mexican products so we can create better jobs here."

The utility workers were joined by unionized social security system bureaucrats, nurses, subway drivers and even restaurant employees decked out in their white chef hats.

In support of the protest, workers of Telefonos de Mexico — the country's dominant carrier — suspended service for several hours for a number Mexicans call to find out telephone numbers. Some international long distance service was also interrupted, union leaders said.

Protesters waved banners against the so-called "neoliberal" free market economic policies they blame for unchecked corporate-sponsored globalization, and also carried signs urging the U.S. Congress to come up with "a fair deal for the undocumented workers in the United States."

Javier Rodriguez, another electrician, said about 15 of his relatives live legally in the United States — but they have scores of friends who have been illegal for years. He said they and millions have earned the right to residency by paying U.S. taxes and contributing to the American economy.

"They deserve it," he said.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico has said boycott organizers risk a backlash and are foolishly targeting some of their best allies, since U.S. corporations have actively lobbied the U.S. Congress for immigration reform including legalization for many of the estimated 11 million undocumented migrants.

Mexicans' refusal to "buy American" on May 1 could further polarize the debate and make reform supporters seem anti-American at the very moment that lobbyists are trying to persuade lawmakers in Washington to pass a bill that would benefit migrants.

The whole support of Mexico's citizens in the "A Day Without Immigrants" is a scam. Monday is a day off for them, they do not work, and almost all businesses in Mexico are closed anyway...in short, they are creating what amounts to a fake support, and I would venture to say that May 1st was chosen for this very reason here in America.

Pinto Bean

Pinto, you are so right. This was supposed to prove we could not get along without just them. I don't think this will prove that. Let's not let them get away with taking credit.

No Tequila, Corona, Tecate, Bohemia, Sol, etc. etc.----No Maragaritas---you know the drill.

Did you know that the Spanish American war of 1898 brought forth a drink called "Cuba Libre"----better known as rum and coke? To show support, this drink became a defacto statement!

Can we have an ALIPAC drink?----Who wants to run with this one? Any ideas for an "Illegale Libre" (liberate them South to the border and beyond). Perhaps Southern Comfort and Coke? Or Jack and Coke?

I say we all go on a shopping spree , splurge and eat out may 1st :0)

I thing these people forgot 2 basic words: "Illegal Immigrants"
It is not about us legal immigrants, it is about them breaking the law. They are trying to fool the people with this non sense but we are smart enough to know what that is all about.

They reject and deny the word illegal and that's why they try and label us racists. THEY ARE THE REAL RACISTS.

We are a nation that is run by the rule of law. They don't like our laws and they have done everything to show contempt for our laws. Our Congressmen and Senators, AND THE PRESIDENT need to wake up and smell the stinch coming in from accross our borders.

There going to reject the Gringo influence in thier country. Well that means they need to stop running to the Wells Fargo to get all that Money thier Illegal Aliens family members in the Gringo country of the good old USA are sending down to them. Also if they were not receiving that muney and much more from OUR country they would not be a Third world Nation they would be a Back sliding 5th world nation ready to start cannibalism and tribal warfare. :P

"Don't Buy Gringo Products. Long live the Boycott,"

What do you guys think of the word, "gringo" ? They use it all the time and I read here where one of our members said that it is actually a very racisit and bad word. I'm curious as too whether WE should take it very SERIOUSLY as we would ANY and ALL racist words. What do you guys think?

Are we too nice by letting this ride ? Or does this word not matter. Or do we not matter enough to decide about this word ? (Just being sarcastic).

I know we matter and I think IT'S ABOUT TIME we start to treat ourselves as we would treat others and watch out for ourselves and STAND UP FOR OURSELVES.

"This is a struggle for all of the unions," Morales said. "We should do it forever, because it's essential to buy Mexican products so we can create better jobs here."

I hope they succeed in Mexico ... we have the right to do the same here but ILLEGAL ALIENS have no right to boycott America in America