Thread: Protest organizers cool to human-chain idea

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=63777

Protest organizers cool to human-chain idea
By Paul Giblin, Tribune
April 21, 2006
A nationwide immigration raid on Wednesday has caused local Hispanic organizers to reconsider their next demonstration to support immigration reform.

Hispanic leaders have been discussing the idea of creating a human chain that, if carried out, would stretch across much of the Valley on May 1.

However, a human chain would present easy pickings for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents looking to arrest illegal immigrants. ICE agents arrested seven executives and hundreds of employees of a manufacturer of crates and pallets on Wednesday.

IFCO CRACKDOWN GOES ON

The crackdown on IFCO Systems facilities across the country resulted in 30 arrests in west Phoenix. The threat of arrest and deportation has created a chilling effect on illegal immigrants and their families, said Joel Foster, a spokesman for We Are America, a coalition of 45 organizations that planned a march that attracted more than 100,000 demonstrators in Phoenix on April 10.

“At this point, what’s driving the re-evaluation is making sure that given everything that’s happened, we do the most important thing,” he said.

“Most immigrant families have faced that every day for a long, long time — and continue to face that. People that work hard every day continue to look over their shoulder,” Foster said.

We Are America organizers plan to meet tonight and through the weekend if necessary to consider their options. Among the possible actions under discussion:

• The above-mentioned human chain of illegal immigrants and their supporters. If implemented, one possible route could stretch from east Mesa to the state Capitol in Phoenix, which, depending on the specific alignment, could be more than 30 miles long.

• A work stoppage asking Hispanics to take a day off from their jobs.

• A no-school day calling for Hispanic children to skip a day of school.

• A general consumer boycott calling for Hispanics to refrain from spending any money.

• Prayer and candlelight vigils at churches and other public places.

The idea behind a work stoppage and consumer boycott would to demonstrate the economic strength of the Hispanic community as Congress continues to debate immigration reform, said activist Alfredo Gutierrez.

“Everything is still on the table and we haven’t said no to anything at this point,” Foster said.

Nationally, organizers of the immigration-reform movement also are sensitive to whether a work stoppage and no-school day could undermine support for their cause, organizers told The Associated Press.

Wednesday’s raids highlight the threat to families under current immigration policies, Foster said. Many immigrant families are comprised of both illegal immigrants and U.S. born citizens. Many times, one or both parents are illegal immigrants while their spouses and children are U.S. citizens, he said.

In a related issue, Hispanic leaders conceded that they only registered 121 new voters before the march on April 10.

VOTE DRIVE RENEWED

Organizers were overwhelmed by the number of people who arrived at the Arizona State Fairgrounds before the march, so they removed tables set up to register voters to accommodate the crowds, Gutierrez said.

They plan to establish voter drives before the November elections, he said.

Historically, Hispanic voters have not been well organized nor have they turned out on in great numbers for elections, Sen. John McCain, RAriz., said after a speaking engagement in Scottsdale on Wednesday.

November’s mid-term elections provide an opportunity for Hispanics to demonstration their potential political strength, said McCain, one of the leading voices on immigration reform in the Senate.

“Demonstrations don’t change things in Washington nearly as much as votes,” he said.
Contact Paul Giblin by email, or phone (480) 970-2331 pgiblin@aztrib.com

However, a human chain would present easy pickings for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents looking to arrest illegal immigrants.

a ha ha, ha ha, ha ha, ha, ha! Better not do it then, huh? ha ha ha

“Demonstrations don’t change things in Washington nearly as much as votes,” he said.

You said it Mr. McCain't, you will soon learn the hard way!!

Curious here...is it just me, or are the reporters writing these stories in a fashion that deliberately trys to evoke sympathy for these law breaking illegal aliens? Everything I read seems to talk about these poor hard working people having to live in fear, how unfair and difficult it would be if one of them were deported for being here illegally. Really find it very disturbing, almost as if the media seems to be in cahoots with Big Business and the government in trying to sell us on Amnesty.

Pinto Bean

They plan to establish voter drives before the November election

I don't quite understand this.

So they are registering Hispanics to vote that are already citizens or they think they can get them all registered and naturalized before November? Doesn't it take a few months at least to become a citizen? You do still have to be a citizen to vote, yes? Please don't say no.

Silly question, I guess, coming from this state where even dead people can vote.

Americans First!