Pro-illegals rally in Monterey, CA today
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/mc...l/14633412.htm
Immigration rally set today
Leaders encouraged by momentum
By CLAUDIA MELNDEZ SALINAS
Herald Salinas Bureau
Immigration reform advocates feel their movement has momentum and are pushing ahead with marches to keep the issue on the front burner.
Today at 10:30 a.m., the We Are America coalition will hold a rally at Closter Park in Salinas, where coalition members will gather signatures on postcards to deliver to Congress. The rally will be followed by a march.
"Right now, the debates are going in Congress and people are sort of going back to a dormant stage," said Efrén Barajas, vice president of the United Farm Workers, a member of the coalition. "We want people to be on, to continue mobilizing."
The Senate resumed debate Monday over how to overhaul immigration laws and possibly give legal status to many of the nation's estimated 11 million illegal immigrants. President Bush urged Congress on Monday to draft a guest worker program. Bush also said he would send the National Guard beginning next month to back up the Border Patrol until more agents are hired.
"We see that they're at a critical point," Barajas said. "We think they're going to be making decisions, and that decision will depend on how hard we push."
The coalition organized marches in Greenfield on Wednesday, when about 500 people rallied at Patriot Park and marched in town, and on Thursday when organizers estimated the crowd at about 700 people. A march was held Friday in Gonzales.
The marches will continue Monday in Castroville, Tuesday in Las Lomas, Wednesday in Santa Cruz, and Sunday in Watsonville.
After the success of previous marches, it is important to keep up people's spirits, said César Lara, executive director of the Citizenship Project in Salinas.
"If there's no follow-up after May 1, the momentum dies," he said. "If we show we are active with marches, community forums and just addressing the issues, the community will know momentum still alive."
Senators are expected to continue working on an immigration reform package until the Memorial Day holiday.
The Senate on Friday approved making English the "national language" and the "common and unifying" language of the country.
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Re: Pro-illegals rally in Monterey, CA today
The reporter's lead sentence should have been more precise: "Illegal aliens feel their movement has momentum and are pushing ahead with marches to terrorize the American people."
Quote:
="concernedmother"]
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/mc...l/14633412.htm
Immigration rally set today
Leaders encouraged by momentum
By CLAUDIA MELNDEZ SALINAS
Herald Salinas Bureau
Immigration reform advocates feel their movement has momentum and are pushing ahead with marches to keep the issue on the front burner.
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