By Dan Whitcomb LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pro-immigration activists say a national boycott and marches planned for May 1 will flood America's streets with millions of Latinos to demand amnesty for illegal immigrants and shake the ground under Congress as it debates reform. Such a massive turnout could make for the largest protests since the civil rights era of the 1960s, though not all Latinos were comfortable with such militancy, fearing a backlash in Middle America. "There will be 2 to 3 million people hitting the streets in Los Angeles alone. We're going to close down Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Tucson, Phoenix, Fresno," said Jorge Rodriguez, a union official who helped organize earlier rallies credited with rattling Congress as it weighs the issue. Immigration has split Congress, the Republican Party and public opinion. Conservatives want the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants returned to Mexico and a fence built along the border. Others, including President George W. Bush, want a guest-worker program and a path to citizenship. Most agree some reform is needed to stem the flow of poor to the world's biggest economy. "We want full amnesty, full legalization for anybody who is here (illegally)," Rodriguez said. "That is the message that is going to be played out across the country on May 1." Organizers have timed the action for May Day, a date when workers around the world often march for improved conditions, and have strong support from big labor and the Roman Catholic church. They vow that America's major cities will grind to a halt and its economy will stagger as Latinos walk off their jobs and skip school. In California on Thursday, the state senate passed a resolution recognizing "The Great American Boycott of 2006," saying it would educate the United States about the contributions made by immigrants. The measure passed 24-13 along party lines with dissenting Republicans arguing that it sanctioned lawbreaking and encouraged children to skip school. Teachers' unions in major cities have said children should not be punished for walking out of class. Los Angeles school officials said principals had been told that they should allow students to leave but walk with them to help keep order. In Chicago, Catholic priests have helped organize protests, sending information to all 375 parishes in the archdiocese. CRITICS CHARGE INTIMIDATION Chicago activists predict that the demonstrations will draw 300,000 people. In New York, leaders of the May 1 Coalition said a growing number of businesses had pledged to close and allow their workers to attend a rally in Manhattan's Union Square. Large U.S. meat processors, including Cargill Inc., Tyson Foods Inc and Seaboard Corp said they will close plants due to the planned rallies. Critics accuse pro-immigrant leaders of bullying Congress and stirring up uninformed young Latinos by telling them that their parents were in imminent danger of being deported. "It's intimidation when a million people march down main streets in our major cities under the Mexican flag," said Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman volunteer border patrol group. "This will backfire," he said. Some Latinos have also expressed concerns that the boycott and marches could stir up anti-immigrant sentiment. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the Los Angeles archdiocese, an outspoken champion of immigrant rights, has lobbied against a walkout. "Go to work, go to school, and then join thousands of us at a major rally afterward," Mahony said. And Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has long fought for immigrant rights, has said he expects protesters to be "lawful and respectful" and children to stay in school. In Washington on Thursday, immigrant-rights activists brushed off talk of a backlash. "This is going to be really big. We're going to have millions of people," said Juan Jose Gutierrez, director of the Latino Movement USA. "We are not concerned at all. We believe it's possible for Congress to get the message that the time to act is now." (Additional reporting by Aarthi Sivaraman in Los Angeles, Dan Trotta in New York and Michael Conlon in Chicago) Isn't this nice! now the illegals are attempting to guide congress! our country is filling up with criminals like these and our elected leaders stand by and do nothing! pick up the phone and make a few calls folks, it cant hurt and it might make a difference. if we stand by and do nothing, soon that's all we will have to do! kiss your job goodbye to the illegals!
And they have earned the privilege (not right) to demand? And so they should. How is it that we should care what they want? Among other things, jobs and school is what they came for. Why are they shitting in their own mess kits by not using the advantages they have? Seems to do exactly that. One more illegality to send them "home" for. Already has, I betcha. That would be a shame for the legals, the green card holders. They are a valuable resource that will enrich us all. Read that again. LEGAL . Yup. Round 'em up. Yup. Round them up, too. Do NOT misunderstand my position. The illegals need to go, and come back in via the correct routes. That applies, in my mind, to all of them, no matter how long they have managed to avoid capture. In the meantime, all the un- and under- employed should just get in the job lines that will be used to fill the million odd jobs that are going to go begging when the illegals are sent back to wherever they came from. When the jobs are taken up, the opportunities will drop off and the lesser availability of income will reduce the glow from within our borders.
I heard on news radio last evening that the produce union was shutting down in the LA area in support of this, to show how valuable illegal immigrants are to America.
If you have some mad money or have been waiting to make any purchases I would incourage anyone who can to go out on May 1 and spend whatever you can afford with companies that are open both to show your apreciation of those who are not betraying the citizens who support them in favor of criminals and also because if the over all amout of money spent on the day the illegals and their suporters are spending no money is higher than normal then, especialy along with millions marching our streets under Mexican flags, should make the true message quite clear to all. We dont need the criminal aliens and dont want them and they are a detrement to our nation.
I say that since they want to fly the Mexican Flag, they need to be sent back home. I'm from Scandinavian descent, but you don't see me waving around a flag from Finland. If they want citizenship among other things, then they need to know and abide by American laws and stand for the red, white, and blue. Ah shit just send these trouble makers back home south of the border where they belong. I'm not anti-mexican and I find some to be quite friendly and very well open minded about a lot of things. Heck I think Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz are damn fine latino women
lol..Them stupid assholes are ate up...Call Immigration and have em check for papers if you see then organizing..hahahahah...See how they like protesting in the back of the SUV headed for La Migra central to catch a bus on their way back to Mexico!!!!!!!!!
Just get in a safe spot where you wont be trampled and watch them kill each other in a stampeede after you shout at the top of your lungs, "IMIGRATIO!!! IMIGRATIO!!!! VAMINOSE, IMIGRATIO!!!"
My wife works for Con Agra here in my hometown, the mex's here told the management they ALL needed may 1 off for a "special mex holiday".... Con Agra said "NO UNSCHEDULED HOLIDAYS WILL BE GRANTED." I will keep you posted on what happens, the mex's have said they will all call in sick. we'll see...
lol..Doesn`t look like their big protest day went over real well... Everyone around here pretty much just laughed at em for being dumbasses...Hmm,an organized gathering full of illegal aliens,in Texas ...hmmm You think immigration might be poking around at that event??
Should have been filling up busses anddumpingthem across the border, could have used the empty school buses.
Guess they watched that silly movie about the mexicans all dissappearing...didn't have much impact around here, don't think my mexicans even noticed it.
Never thought I'd see the day where a special interest group would be foreigners that have come here illegally. Politicians are getting pretty deseperate for votes