Immigrants rally across US to back rights for illegals
May 02, 2006 Edition 1
Hundreds of thousands of mostly Hispanic immigrants walked off the job and rallied in cities across the US yesterday, wielding their economic clout to demand rights for illegal immigrants.
Factories closed, day labour jobs went begging, children skipped school and cargo was left on docks in what the organisers called "A Day Without Immigrants".
The largely Latino crowds chanted "Si, se puede!" or "Yes, we can!" and banged drums while waving American and Mexican flags.
The demonstrations were aimed at pressuring the US congress to grant amnesty to 12 million illegal immigrants and scuttle a proposal to build a wall along the Mexican border.
"What the marches have done is give a human face to the immigration issue in the United States today," said Harry Pachon, professor of public policy at the University of Southern California.
He said the size of the crowds proved that it was a national issue.
Los Angeles police estimated a throng of up to 250 000 people gathered during a noon demonstration at the city hall and 400 000 at a later rally near the La Brea Tar Pits. Many protesters were at both rallies.
"Today we say with one voice that we want fair and sensible bipartisan immigration reform," said Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the son of a Mexican immigrant and a lifelong campaigner for legalisation of illegal immigrants.
The economic impact of the boycott was not clear and some lawmakers and conservative groups predicted a backlash.
Republican legislators in Arizona - the state that is the biggest US entry point for illegal immigrants - called for a $100 million (R600m) crackdown, including deploying National Guard troops to the border with Mexico.
Republican representative Tom Tancredo of Colorado predicted a negative reaction from the public and conservative lawmakers to the walkout.
Recent polls show only 30% of Americans advocate tougher laws for illegals, while the majority, like President George Bush, wants a guest worker programme combined with better enforcement of immigration laws.
In Los Angeles yesterday, entire families, many with babes in arms, carried placards declaring "Hoy marchamos, manana motamos" (Today we march, tomorrow we vote) and danced to mariachi bands.
"It's a celebration of immigrants.
"It isn't just a protest or even a boycott," said Los Angeles Catholic Cardinal Roger Mahony, who has urged priests to disobey laws that would criminalise those who help illegal immigrants.
In Chicago, more than 300 000 people marched, waving flags and pushing prams.
Demonstrations unfolded in Denver, Houston and San Francisco and thousands marched in Mexico in solidarity with compatriots who make up the bulk of the illegal immigrants.
The illegals, who flood across the Mexican border at a rate of half a million a year, work mostly in low-paid jobs in agriculture, construction or restaurants, as janitors, meat packers, maids and gardeners and many other occupations.
Actress Susan Sarandon told a festive rally in New York's Union Square: "We now know that you are no longer silent, you are no longer invisible - and let's keep it that way." - Reuters
