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Immigrant groups call for more protests on May 19

May 02, 2006, 06:00

Pro-immigration activists urged supporters on Friday to follow up a nation wide boycott planned yesterday with protests and rallies on May 19 to demand amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Leaders of immigrant groups from Chicago, New York, California and Washington said the added protests were aimed at protesting legislation that would declare illegal immigrants felons and erect a fence along much of the US-Mexico border. "We are making an open call to organisations that are working on the immigration issue to hold an action day on May 19," said Rhadames Rivera, vice president of the Maimonides/Lutheran Network, part of a local health care union.

The debate over immigrants' rights has divided Congress, the Republican Party and public opinion. President George W Bush has split with many members of his own party by supporting a guest worker program and giving illegal immigrants a path to citizenship. Immigrant leaders have proposed a variety of protests for May 19, including a rally near the White House, forming human chains and candlelight vigils.

Juan Jose Gutierrez, national co-ordinator for Latino Movement USA, said sympathisers in Mexico also planned protests that day along the US-Mexico border. - Reuters