Thread: Some Fear Immigration Protest Backlash

By PETER PRENGAMAN, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 48 minutes ago



LOS ANGELES - Organizers of the movement that has led hundreds of thousands of immigrants onto the nation's streets are split over whether to press ahead with the next big protest — a May 1 national work stoppage and student boycott.



Backers of the protest want to dramatize the importance of immigrants to the U.S. economy by leaving construction sites and restaurants undermanned, crops untended and hotel rooms uncleaned. They also hope empty classrooms will demonstrate that immigration reform is a major issue for future voters.

But others fear such protests will make immigrants look anti-American, annoy the public and alienate lawmakers who are still wavering over how to reshape U.S. immigration policy. They worry, too, that thousands will get fired from their jobs.

Encouraging youngsters to skip school "just adds fuel to the argument that we don't care about our children's education," said Jose Lagos, a community organizer with Honduran Unity in Miami.

Some are now afraid the split in their ranks could suppress participation May 1 and cause the movement to lose momentum.

"Our credibility as a community is on the line," said Armando Navarro, coordinator of the National Alliance for Human Rights, a Southern California organization pushing the boycott. "We've shown our power politically, but if we can't show it economically we are going to lose it."

Over the past few weeks, unions and religious and Hispanic groups have mustered nationwide protest marches supporting a chance at U.S. citizenship for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants.

Some organizers hope to see turnout so large that will protect participants from retribution.

"If immigrants continue demonstrating in large numbers, are they going to fire all of them?" said Julita Rincon, 21, an illegal immigrant and University of Houston student who leads a student activist organization.

Some leaders have staked a middle ground, supporting a protest on May 1, but after school lets out and businesses are closed.

"If they lost their jobs, there would be nothing we could do," said Ana Maria Archila, executive director of the Latin American Integration Center. Her New York City group plans alternative May 1 activities, such as persuading businesses to close for 30 minutes in honor of immigrants.

Sporadic criticism of the boycott began soon after organizers announced it in early March. But the skepticism has been intensifying, and Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony, an outspoken supporter of illegal immigrants, discouraged the idea during Easter Mass.

"Go to work. Go to school," Mahony said. "And then join thousands of us at a major rally afterward."

Leaders of the Service Employees International Union, which has gotten thousands to rallies and helped with crowd control, said they cannot endorse a boycott because of collective bargaining agreements. And some union leaders feel such action would be premature, anyway.

Two weeks ago, the Senate nearly voted on immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, noted Jaime Contreras, an SEIU spokesman and chairman of an influential immigration group in Washington.

"You are using the last weapon in your arsenal now?" Contreras said. If senators move toward more punitive legislation, "then what are you going to do?"

Some of the Spanish-language deejays in Los Angeles who helped supercharge turnout at a rally March 25 that drew 500,000 people have backed off, too.

El Piolin, a nationally syndicated morning show host whose real name is Eduardo Sotelo and whose nickname means "Tweety Bird," has been more reserved in his calls to activism, and openly opposes students skipping school May 1.

"We have to demonstrate that we came here to succeed," Sotelo said. "There are different ways to show we love the United States. We just have to make sure we don't damage anyone."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060419/ap_ ... MlJVRPUCUl

Oh it's too late now jerks! You have let the genii out of the bottle. You can't put it back in now that you are scared and watching the hundreds of millions of Americans wake up to your deceit and lies.

You think you control these mobs in the streets Mahoney? You got them to wear shirts and some of them to put down their flags and that is about all. You have no control of the gangs and the students and the Aztlan / Socialists / Anarchists / and Communists you cut deals with.

They will be in the streets on May 1. We will be ready for you.

Looking forward to it.

W

Give them enough rope and they hang themselves. Ya.....

Backers of the protest want to dramatize the importance of immigrants to the U.S. economy by leaving construction sites and restaurants undermanned, crops untended and hotel rooms uncleaned. They also hope empty classrooms will demonstrate that immigration reform is a major issue for future voters.

these employers were looking for help when they got the jobs and their protests might affect them for a day or two, BUT there are temporary employment agencies that can fill these jobs with American citizens ....

They have already shown their TRUE COLORS and it's too late for them to change anyone's minds now! Seems their true colors are those of the MEXICAN FLAG and not those of the AMERICAN FLAG! Even if they did not do the May 1st Boycott, they have already shown the American people what their true agenda is and that is wanting the wealth and services built by the AMERICAN CITIZENS while staying loyal to Mexico, and we ain't gonna have it!

Just saw some shots on the news of the student march in Denver today. Saw lots of Mexican flags but no American flags. Yes they are showing their true colors and it does not appear to be pro American.

Originally Posted by rebellady1964

They have already shown their TRUE COLORS and it's too late for them to change anyone's minds now! Seems their true colors are those of the MEXICAN FLAG and not those of the AMERICAN FLAG!

I thought you were talking about the Senate for Mexico!

Why is this thread so STTRRREEECCCHED out? I can even read it!

http://www.uh.edu/admin/president/gogue ... ntact.html

That is the contact email for the president of U of Houston...let him know what you think about Julita Rincon, the illegal alien, organzing an illegal alien group on campus.

Indeed it is too late, we all know what their deal is already, just look at the bottom of that flyer, it says, "Don't bring your own flag you will be given one" Just to make sure they keep the wool on and fly OUR flag. eh' it's too late.