Posted on 03/24/2006 9:32:02 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Billed as the city's largest ever pro-immigrant rally, tens of thousands of protesters are expected to blanket downtown streets Saturday in opposition to a federal bill calling for a 700-mile U.S.-Mexican border wall and the criminalization of illegal immigrants.
The proposal was introduced by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., and is one of a raft of measures that will be considered by Congress in the coming weeks. While the bills have been cheered by some Americans, they have split the Republican Party on the thorny issue of immigration and stirred anger in immigrant communities.
"This is going to be the mother lode," said Jesse Diaz, a program coordinator for the March 25th Coalition, a group of clergy and activists organizing the massive protest. "This is a movement that we say will turn the tide of this oppressive legislation."
About 12 million illegal immigrants - or 5 percent of the country's work force - live in the United States, with California home to an estimated 2.5 million, more than any other state.
And as Congress prepares for a heated battle on immigration and President George W. Bush calls for a "civil" debate, pro-immigrant activists are turning up the decibel level.
For weeks, activists have used Spanish-language radio, television and word of mouth to draw protesters to the rally.
"It's incredible, the people's response. Everywhere we go, they are talking about it, even at Disneyland," said Luis Garibay, producer of "Piolin (SECOND I NEEDS ACCENT MARK) por la manaa," a top-rated morning-drive radio show. For a week, the Spanish-language disc jockey Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo has been urging his half-million-plus Los Angeles-area listeners to peacefully attend the rally. And last week, he and another disc jockey aired a dual promotion of the show.
"We have been getting e-mails, telephone calls, faxes - everything," Garibay said.
But those pushing for tougher immigration laws say protesters who oppose a law making illegal immigrants felons are missing the point, which is that strictly enforced rules will fix the nation's broken immigration system.
"People are demanding to be rewarded for breaking the law," said Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which supports the criminalizing of illegal immigrants. "We are not going to get a handle on this problem if we reward people who break the law."
In Los Angeles, where one-third of the population is foreign-born and the economy is dependent on immigrant labor, the rally has attracted a broad coalition of backing, from the region's top politicians to clergy to labor leaders.
"We want to make sure that the hard work that (immigrant) workers contribute to Los Angeles and the rest of this country is recognized," said Maria Elena Durazo, president of the Los Angeles county Federation of Labor, who is backing the march.
Billed as the city's largest ever pro-immigrant rally, tens of thousands of protesters are expected to blanket downtown streets Saturday in opposition to a federal bill calling for a 700-mile U.S.-Mexican border wall and the criminalization of illegal immigrants.
I'm so SICK of this tripe....they keep leaving the word ILLEGAL out of the statements.
I hope INS shows up and the number will go down to 10....10 Dems.
Since most will be illegals, get the buses ready and herd them in.
Unless one goes to the library, who's downtown LA on a Saturday but protestors?
Illegal immigration just makes my blood boil. And the PC left with their attitude that somehow illegals in this country make things better ticks me off. Get these illegals the heck out my country!!! I would LOVE it if we built a wall. It's way past time to get tough and stop coddling these criminals. The very fact that they came into this country illegally makes them criminals.
I have been talking about this so long my voice is hoarse... it is almost too late now as witnessed by this rally. The politicians will cave. Bush hasn't lifted a finger. Soon he will be swappin' spit with Vincente Fox again making sure U.S. corporations can find cheap labor in Mexico. Making sure we can get Mexican oil (the just found another huge oil field). Its over people... can anyone do simple math anymore?
Illegals are criminals by definition. How do you criminalize a crime?
........"it's over ?"
no one's even started yet.............
what makes you or anyone else think that this ""stuff""
is going to continue ?
without a fight ?
5% of the country's work force? Well then, I think I found a way to get unemployment down to 0%. However that is quite an assumption that every Illegal Alien works. Do auto accident fraud scams count as work?
I hope some folks get lots and lots of PICTURES. High-resolution digital PICTURES. The kind that can be used in removal (deportation) proceedings, on the OFF CHANCE *koff* that anyone marching is here illegally.
This is great. They'll all be in one spot and easy to round up and DEPORT!!!!
"it's over ?"
no one's even started yet
catroina54... this isn't a new problem. While WE haven't "started yet" THEY have and they have been at it for a long time. Pro-immigrant rallies in GA and CA. This will make every democrat quiver and soil themselves when they think of doing anything meaningful about the border. But wait we have Pres. Bush right? Uh...oh... sorry... guess not. Seems he's kinda quivery himself.
To counter this rally, I encourage all FReepers to write, e-mail, fax or call their Legislators to get them to pass this Legislation.
If we site back idle and don't voice our strong support for this measure, it's going to fail and the problem is going to get worse as more illegals flood across the border.
Remember - Today's illegals are tomorrow's Democrats.
Great tagline if you want to use it.
So, you at least agree that 10 U.S. citizens should be allowed to protest?
The united federation of workers is going to have a rally on Sunday. Did they miss the meeting. If anyone has information on this rally please post it. I think that we need some video cameras at this event.
UFW Rally for Humane Immigration Reform
Sunday – Mar. 26, 1 pm
Federal Building
300 N Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, CA
http://www.immigrantsolidarity.org/
These guys are the organizers.
3/25 Los Angeles GRAN MARCHA 2006!
10 AM OLYMPIC AND BROADWAY, LOS ANGELES
URL: http://www.nohr4437.org
Info: Jesse Diaz: (951)756-5712
3/25: Immigrant Rally at Denver, CO
Saturday, March 25th 10:00 AM
Civic Center Park, downtown Denver, CO
Contact: Jordan T. Garcia (303)623-3464
3/26 New York, NY: Protest HR 4437 NYC
1:00 PM, at 165th Street and Audubon
Contact: Radhames (646)796-8657
3/26 Los Angeles, CA: Religious Mass, 3:30 PM Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
555 West Temple St. Los Angeles, CA
Info: (213)637-7690
March 26-28 Washington DC: Conference & lobbying day
Organized by Rights Working Group.
URL: http://www.rightsworkinggroup.org
3/27 Washington DC: National Action at the Capitol for Immigrant Rights
March 27, 2006 @ 11 AM
West Lawn of the United States Capitol
3/12-27: California Latino March for Peace with Fernando Suarez and Pablo Paredes
3/21-27: San Francisco Hunger Strike For Immigrant Rights
By: BAY AREA IMMIGRANT RIGHTS COALITION
Lets get some cameras on these people.
Good idea. I will.
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