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Protesters hit 111 for immigrants
Human chains decry crackdown brewing in D.C.
Marcel Honoré
The Desert Sun
February 13, 2006

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Hundreds of protesters across the valley formed
several human chains along Highway 111 Sunday, in a
show of solidarity against a bill they say
discriminates against immigrants.
Opponents take issue with a major immigration bill,
HR4437, passed by the House in December, because it
allows for heavy fines and a jail time up to five
years for any person caught helping undocumented
immigrants.

"If my dad comes to visit me and he doesn't have
papers, they could arrest me," said Candelario Romero
Flores of Coachella, who joined about 200 protesters
in that city.

The bill now awaits a vote on the Senate floor this
spring.

Opponents gathered in valley cities from Coachella to
Palm Springs.

Local grassroots organization the Comité Latino and
the local chapter of the United Farm Workers
co-organized the event.

Joe Mota, a regional director for the UFW, said the
protesters were a mix of U.S. citizens as well as
documented and undocumented immigrants.

"(Undocumented workers) want a chance at that American
dream and do more than they're already doing now,
which is providing for this economy," Mota.

Many passing cars honked in support, while some
drivers yelled out of passenger windows in
disapproval.


"Because of (undocumented workers), hotel rooms are
cleaned, fruits and vegetables are picked, and golf
courses are neatly trimmed," Mota said.
Protesters also gathered outside the office of Rep.
Mary Bono, R-Palm Springs, who voted for the measure.

Frank Cullen, Bono's chief of staff, defended the
representative's stance on immigration reform, saying
border security is a top priority.

"She's concerned not only by the impact (of illegal
immigration) to our budget, but also national
security," Cullen said.

"She has supported the idea of a limited guest-worker
program that would have stringent guidelines and
require no amnesty be attached."

Mota said the bill is gaining support in the Senate
and will come to a vote on March 26. He added that a
major UFW demonstration is slated that week in Los
Angeles.

Protesters arrived at the various points along Highway
111 starting at 12 p.m., and increasing until around 3
p.m. when the protest subsided.

Mota, who led an effort in Indian Wells, said he hoped
to expose residents of the valley's most affluent city
to the protesters' message.

"We thought it was important for the citizens of
Indian Wells to see the struggles," Mota said.

Standing arm-in-arm, many wore "Stop Racism" T-shirts.
Others held signs that read "No to the new Berlin
Wall" in Spanish and English, a reference to
grassroots efforts to build a physical wall along the
U.S. border with Mexico. Several protesters jointly
waved U.S. and Mexican flags.

"We want everyone to know that we came here to work,"
said Mecca resident Gloria Martinez, who works in
packing. "If they do this, they'll remove us and then
what will they do? We're the labor force."