'Great American Boycott 2' may miss San Diego County

By: GIG CONAUGHTON - Staff Writer
25 APRIL 2007

NORTH COUNTY -- Los Angeles-based immigrant activists said this week that they expect walkout-and-boycott protests to be better coordinated Tuesday than they were a year ago, in what is being called "the Great American Boycott 2."

But San Diego County activists said there may not be much of a protest here, unless it is spontaneous and last-minute.

"We haven't talked about it formally," Bill de la Fuente, founder of a North County-based Latino merchants association said Tuesday. "Last May 1, we did support it and a number of businesses closed down, but this time, the issue has not been a top priority."


Many around the country were shocked a year ago when more than 1 million Latinos -- seemingly spontaneously -- took to the streets in a May 1 protest and boycott aimed at prodding Congress to reject calls to toughen immigration laws, including a bill that would have declared all illegal aliens to be felons subject to deportation.

Protests, which started with student demonstrations in March and April before culminating in the May 1 national walkout, instead called on Congress to pass reform-legislation that would grant millions of immigrants amnesty.

The epicenter was Los Angeles, where half a million people marched in the streets, including an estimated 72,000 students who skipped school to take part.

But it was also felt in North San Diego County, where thousands of protesters took part in demonstrations; numerous Latino-owned businesses closed; and school officials reported that there were as many as 10,000 more absentees than normal.

Congress never did pass any significant immigration law reform in 2006, and debate continues this year.

On Tuesday, Javier Rodriguez of the Los Angeles-based March 25 Coalition said that May Day 2007 could see even bigger protests. The coalition is a collection of more than 100 political and immigrant rights organizations.

"The Great American Boycott 2 is a continuation of last year's mass struggle," he said. "We are staging demonstrations in approximately 75 cities in the country in approximately 16 states. We have the major cities in the country."

But some have questioned how big a turnout the new protests will actually prompt.

A number of major Latino figures have said they won't support the boycott. One of those is 77-year-old Dolores Huerta, a leading Latino rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez.

Here in San Diego County, local activists said that there has been little discussion of the May Day and possible protests.

Consuelo Martinez, founder of the grass-roots immigrant rights group, the Escondido Human Rights Committee, said, "I have heard of mobilization taking place in L.A., but nothing here in San Diego."

Martinez said she knows that some local Latinos plan to take the day off from work and school in protest, but that local leaders didn't jump forward to help lead any significant protest.

"No one took the initiative this year," she said. "No one took leadership."

Martinez said that she hadn't even seen much local chatter about potential May Day protests on the Internet -- which helped spread the word about protests among students last year.

De la Fuente, meanwhile, said that he felt that some business owners suffered a backlash after last year's protests. And, he said, he personally felt that the protests "galvanized" debate on immigration issues, creating less dialogue and more infighting.

"Anyone on the fence eventually fell to one side or the other side," he said. "I believe there's been a backlash and will continue to be one."

De la Fuente said Latino leaders needed to embrace other avenues to make their voices heard.

"Let's put it this way," he said. "I would like to see some different strategies. Marches are good. They do keep (immigration) a hot topic. But at the same time, we have to be working in other areas to give it more dimension."

-- Contact staff writer Gig Conaughton at (760) 739-6696 or gconaughton@nctimes.com.

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Comments On This Story

Note: Comments reflect the views of readers and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff.

Oh heck! wrote on April 24, 2007 11:01 PM:"Last time the day without an illegal in San Diego was really a day without a traffic jam. Let's all work to get OUR local illegals to participate so we can have decent traffic for at least one day!!!!"

Greg in Oceanside wrote on April 24, 2007 11:03 PM:"Hmm, the "Great American Boycot2" eh??? This certainly shows me and other AMERICAN CITIZENS that Mexicans and illegal aliens aren't ready to integrate into our country. Here is yet another example of 'why' we need to enforce our immigration laws and deport illegal aliens, and build the border wall. This is not Mexico, and it never will be. I'd love to see this "boycott" on a daily basis or as often as possible. Then maybe our streets, schools, and other places will be less crowded. We've done 'ok' without the countless illegal aliens, and Mexicans before, so we're not in any great danger of things coming to a screeching halt if they're not around to mow yards, clean houses, flip burgers, pick up trash, or pour concrete. There are Americans, of every race, that'll pick up the slack."

Lame Mexican Walkout wrote on April 24, 2007 11:12 PM:"Last year there was a lame Mexican walkout. It had no effect on the economy. It is impossible to have an American Walkout 2 because there was never an American Walkout 1. What was heard and viewed last year was Mexicans who imported La Raza politics from Mexico. The walkout woke up Americans to the invasion."

Mexican Xenophobia wrote on April 24, 2007 11:35 PM:"Since 1917, the Mexican Constitution (article 27) prohibits direct ownership of real estate by foreigners in what has come to be known as the "restricted zone". The restricted zone encompasses all land located within 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) of any Mexican border, and 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) of any Mexican coastline. Originally the "restricted zone" was created to protect Mexico from foreign invasion. A fideicomiso (Mexican bank land trust) is not anywhere near actual /ownership. An immigration amnesty bill must exclude citizens from any country that treats Americans so poorly. In other words, until Mexico amends its constitution to allow open Mexican land ownership by Americans, no Mexican illegal aliens should be granted amnesty, residency, or the like. Mexico must learn that its xenophobic policies are corrosive, stupid, and will no longer be tolerated."

Bring on the boycott wrote on April 25, 2007 12:08 AM:"My house cleaner participated in the one last year. I don't know if she got another job after that funfilled day but I told her I wouldn't be needing her any more! My house is just as clean when I clean it and I don't have to hide anything for one day a week!"

Silly Americans wrote on April 25, 2007 1:26 AM:"When will you learn your history other then the propaganda text books they teach you in school. Southern California use to be part of Mexico until America stole it from Mexico. Just like most of America was stolen from the Native Americans. How in the world can you not realize that when one of our own states is called NEW MEXICO. Hello how much clearer can it get. I believe in immigration reform but not just for mexicans but from every country. This country is a melting pot with a bunch rascists in it. America is full of hypocrits that need to take long hard looks in the mirror. Can you honestly say you will pick up the slack and mow your own lawn or pay twice what you pay now for your house cleaning and babysitters. I think not because Americans have become lazy, selfish, greedy, and big babies. You people cry and complain about everything unless its benefitting yourselfs. I thought the walkouts were lame. Especially the thousands of kids that didnt attend school that caused them to lose lots of money. "

Lawson.... wrote on April 25, 2007 4:28 AM:"How much longer must we endure immigrant-bashing by vigilante-racists? Get a job or volunteer. Quit ripping the fragile fabric of our society!"

Skip wrote on April 25, 2007 4:33 AM:"Hey NCT, Please don't forget to cover the Rally in Washington D.C. that is being attended by United States Citizens. "HOLD THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE" 2007. This Rally represents Lobbying by American Citizens towards our legislators in order to put a stop to Illegal Immigration."

Skip wrote on April 25, 2007 4:35 AM:"Maybe it will make better news if there is Rioting in the Streets, just like in France. What is going to happen if American Citizens through legal processes say No Way to Amnesty. There is not a big push by Americans to grant Amnesty."

blm wrote on April 25, 2007 4:49 AM:"An "American" boycott? This whole Mexican flag waving approach is just an effective way of shooting themselves in the foot. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you..."

John Viloria wrote on April 25, 2007 6:27 AM:"Mexican Xenophobia -- don't you know that they came here "just to better themselves". While they are of the impression that U.S. laws do not apply to them, Mexican laws are enforced against American Citizens. I suspect a double standard here."

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