Sunday, April 30, 2006

Pro-immigration: Bracing for el boicot

Widespread actions expected

Monday is slated for "El Boicot." The day has been set aside for immigrants to boycott work, school and shopping to show how much they matter to their communities. But with some growing tired of street protests, and others afraid they'll be deported or fired for walking out, people are planning to support the effort in various ways.

Some will work but buy nothing on Monday. Others will protest at lunch breaks or at rallies after work. There will be church services, candlelight vigils, picnics and human chains.

The range of activities shows both how powerful the immigrants' rights movement has become in a matter of weeks, and that organizers don't yet have a clear focus on its next step.

Monday's events, collectively called "Un Dia Sin Inmigrantes," or "A Day Without Immigrants," is expected to be widespread - thanks, in part, to media attention and the success of previous rallies.

Officials in Los Angeles braced for huge crowds. As many as 500,000 people could take part.

In smaller cities such as Allentown, Pa., Omaha, Neb., and Knoxville, Tenn., immigrants and their allies have been going door to door with fliers, making posters and sharpening speeches. In New Mexico, restaurants cooked meals this weekend that they'll donate food for Monday picnics in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

Marc Cooper blogs on the big event for The Nation.

Related: MSN Money.


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3 comments:

Smurf said...

Wow! This is a great post. Thank you. This makes me feel bad about thinking they needed their papers. This is such a complicated thing. My ex was telling me there was talk that they might make the walls like there used to be in Germany with guns... omg... I sure hope that isnt the case... I dont think that is neccessary.. wow... but anyways... this is well written.

Deb Sistrunk Nelson said...

Smurf: Thank you for your kind remarks. This is, indeed, a complicated issue, which is made even more complex by politics. We can only hope that everything works out for the best and that our legislators demonstrate good leadership and integrity. Thanks for stopping by.

Dr. Deb said...

I did nothing yesterday (monday) besides go to work (which is an upstairs office). I didn't go out or buy or spend. And I watched the news about the day. I felt so great for this movement!