In Mexico, 'nothing gringo on May 1'

cnn ^ | 4-14-06

[LouAvul]

"The Great American Boycott" is spreading south of the border, as activists call for Mexicans to boycott U.S. businesses on May 1.

The protest is timed to coincide with a May 1 boycott of work and shopping in the United States that also has been dubbed "A Day Without Immigrants." The boycott, which grew out of huge pro-migrant marches across the United States, is designed to pressure Congress to legalize millions of undocumented people.

Mexican unions, political and community groups, newspaper columnists and even some Mexican government offices have joined the call in recent days.

"Remember, nothing gringo on May 1," advises one of the many e-mails being circulated among Internet users in Mexico.

"On May 1, people shouldn't buy anything from the interminable list of American businesses in Mexico," reads another. "That means no Dunkin' Donuts, no McDonald's, Burger King, Starbucks, Sears, Krispy Kreme or Wal-Mart."

For some it's a way to express anti-U.S. sentiment, while others see it as part of a cross-border, Mexican-power lobby.

In some cases, advocates incorrectly identified firms as American -- Sears stores in Mexico, for example, have been owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim since 1997.

And ironically, the protest targets the U.S. business community, which is one of the strongest supporters of legalization or guest-worker programs.

"At the end of the day, boycotting would only hurt corporations that are backing what people want done in the immigration bill," said Larry Rubin, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico. Rubin is encouraging people to write to their legislators instead of boycotting.

[The Old Hoosier]

Most Mexicans really don't give a Flying F what activists in the U.S. tell them.

[theDentist]

"Remember, nothing gringo on May 1."

Will that include jump-over-the-border criminal activities as well?

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

ROFLAO

[putupjob]

A day without illegals is like a day with no problems.

[2banana]

Remember, nothing gringo on May 1,"

Except, of course, free welfare payments, free SSI payments, free medical, free education, free food stamps,...

[stopem]

Now there's a way to get amnesty and citizenship NOT!!!

Please: NO profanity, NO personal attacks, NO racism or violence in posts.

Now there's a mexican racist hit piece if ever there was one!

[bahblahbah]

Heh, maybe the US business owners should unionize among themselves. Mexico needs the US businesses more than we need their labor.

[Flyer]

"Remember, nothing gringo on May 1," advises one of the many e-mails

If they call me a gringo, I feel free to call them wet backs.

[ExcursionGuy84]

A day without illegals is like a day with no problems.

While I definitely do Not approve of Illegal Immigration...

...I seriously doubt that Illegals are the source of Every Single woe that befalls the USA [but they probably constitute about a good 45-50% of national issues.]

[subterfuge]

For some it's a way to express anti-U.S. sentiment, while others see it as part of a cross-border, Mexican-power lobby.

And still others, who are U.S. citizens, see it as a simple extortionist type of action that misplaces the blame for their shambles of an economy on America instead of Mexico's "leaders."

[Kenton]

How about we go with "Nothing Greaser on May 1". I mean, since name-calling seems to be OK on May 1.

[DBrow]

If we citizens had our collective act together, we'd organize a USA day- a total boycott of businesses that have bilingual advertising, or are known to use illegal labor.

It would work like this- if your grocery store has both EXIT and SALIDA on its doors, call them up and tell them you are not shopping there that day.

If you buy a product with English and Spanish on the package, don't buy it for a week.

Lettuce, strawberries, almonds, tomatoes, Vidalia onions, you get the picture.

It seems that the illegals have "community leaders", but us citizens have leaders in line with the illegals. We need new leaders.

[Fighting Irish]

Guess I'll have to skip my fav Taco stand that day....crappers!

[Lizavetta]

Does that mean they'll NOT use gringo schools, hospitals, welfare, and food stamps?

[evets]

Adios Gringo

[rightwingintelligentsia]

I've got an idea--what if we "Gringos" stopped visiting Mexican tourist traps like Acapulco and Cancun? And not just on May 1.

[pax_et_bonum]

ROFLAO

Ditto!

I won't be spending any of my gringo dollars in Mexico on May 1 or any other day.

[manwiththehands]

In some cases, advocates incorrectly identified firms as American -- Sears stores in Mexico, for example, have been owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim since 1997.

"NO! No, amigos! Don't boycott everything gringo!"

(chortle)

[cripplecreek]

I have a new idea for border control.