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Rival rallies in SB
Illegal immigration fires up both sides
Charlotte Hsu, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 03/18/2007 12:00:00 AM PDT


SAN BERNARDINO - A cross- section of Southern California crowded downtown Saturday, with amnesty advocates and anti-illegal immigration activists braving the noonday heat to rally for their views.
Police estimated that 300 people lined the steps of City Hall to rally for legalization of illegal immigrants, while 50 to 100 demonstrators chanted anti-illegal immigration slogans across the street.

The events remained peaceful despite back-and-forth yelling and accusations of racism flying from both sides.

Beneath the raucous exterior were personal stories of hardship and sacrifice.

There was Raymundo Cazares, 27, a car-wash worker who bused in from the Coachella Valley to support undocumented people like himself. He couldn't return to Sonora, Mexico, for his father's funeral because he didn't want to risk crossing the border again.

"I came here to work, seeking a better life. ... There's more opportunities here than in Mexico," he said in Spanish.

Present, too, was Richard Thatcher, 53, of Huntington Beach, a roofer for 38 years who said he's seen pay in his industry decline because illegal immigrants are willing to drudge long hours for less money.

Besides fighting for
amnesty, members of the larger rally were asking for an end to both the Iraq war and violence on local streets.
Armando Navarro is a local coordinator for the National Alliance for Human Rights campaign, a sponsor of the pro-amnesty gathering. He said he hoped San Bernardino's event would help kick-start a nationwide season of demonstrations for immigration reform and withdrawal from Iraq.

The goal is to ramp up enough energy to turn out droves of supporters in Washington in early May, Navarro said. He added that he is networking with organizers in places such as Chicago and Los Angeles who are working toward the same objective.

Speakers at the pro-amnesty event included Navarro and Rep. Joe Baca, D-Rialto.

The rally was preceded by a march that took demonstrators to City Hall from La Placita Park off Mount Vernon Avenue.

As the line of activists snaked through the city, San Bernardino was out to greet them. Patrons and workers at auto shops, restaurants and other establishments stood outside, some giving their blessings, others shaking their heads.

Drivers on Interstate 215 honked in support as the human train crossed the Fifth Street bridge waving signs that read "Ning n ser humano es ilegal" - no human being is illegal.

"Qu queremos?" leaders asked. "What do we want?"

"Justicia!" marchers replied. "Justice."

"When do we want it?" leaders asked.

"Now!"

Minutes earlier, Jay Nu ez, who grew up in the area and co-owns Los Faroles restaurant on Fifth Street, roasted under the sun in a blue apron, snapping photos of the marchers. He said his grandfather came to the U.S. legally.

Of illegal immigrants, he said, "They have no respect for our state."

The dichotomy of views was on display as the activists converged on City Hall, where they were met by opposition protesters.

"Ignore the idiots," one march leader commanded through a megaphone.

Cazares traversed the Arizona desert on his way to Southern California about seven years ago.

He sends money to his mother in Mexico, but says he wants to stay in California with his wife and 3-year-old son - both citizens. He said life isn't easy for people like him, the "sin papeles," the "people without papers." One landlord said he couldn't live with his wife.

Cazares said recent federal raids targeting illegal workers have created fear in the immigrant community. He said it's time to tell Congress to support undocumented laborers who contribute to U.S. society.

In contrast, Thatcher said though he believes the process of coming to the U.S. should be simplified, people who entered illegally should not be rewarded with amnesty for breaking laws.

Thatcher and Cazares stood on opposite sides of the road, separated by a row of police. Around each of them waved