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Protesters seek amnesty for illegal immigrants; moratorium on deportations
By: North County Times wire services | ∞
LOS ANGELES - Hundreds of people marched through downtown Los Angeles Saturday to demand amnesty for illegal immigrants and a moratorium on deportations.
The event, dubbed "La Gran Marcha Laboral -- For the Immigrant Worker/For General Amnesty," also showed support for Elvira Arellano, an illegal immigrant living in Chicago with her 7-year-old son, who is an American citizen.
Arellano has sought sanctuary at her local church to avoid deportation, and she and her son have become symbols for the pro-amnesty movement.
Javier Rodriguez, one of the march organizers, said Arellano represents the "face of thousands of women" in the United States illegally, and her son "represents the face of millions of American children" living in fear that their parents will be deported.
LAPD media relations estimated the march drew about 1,500 people.
Unlike many recent pro-illegal immigration marches, there were no visible counter-protesters. But in Orange County, about 40 people protested illegal immigration in Lake Forest, and a man was arrested for allegedly spitting at them.
Saturday's protest in downtown Los Angeles began at Olympic and Broadway and ended in a rally outside City Hall. The march was both festive and purposeful, with banging drums and American flags, interspersed with a few Mexican flags, and loud calls for amnesty for all.
Rosa Ayala, 62, of Los Angeles, marched with a blown-up picture of her "green card," her real head poking through the middle of the card where her photo should be.
"I'm marching for my brothers, my immigrant brethren who also want a green card," she said. "I'm supporting this demonstration to protest against the racism that exists in this country, when this country is made up of immigrants. And so we can can get our Social Security cards and we can pay our taxes legally."
Ayala was quick to add that most illegal immigrants pay taxes but are unable to claim Social Security benefits.
Luis Alvarez, 30, of Los Angeles, marched with his 9-year-old daughter, who was waving an American flag. He said he illegally came to America from Mexico when he was 16 and has been working in construction ever since.
"I have given the best 15 years of my life to this country," he said.
"Even still, I don't have the opportunity to get a driver's license," he said, adding he was also marching in support of medical benefits for people like himself who deserve them but are "often denied them" because of their illegal status.
The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Margarita Avila and a group of her female friends wore Mexican garb with bandannas covering their faces like Zapatista rebels, she said.
Women played a prominent role in the march, giving most of the speeches outside City Hall.
"It just means that women have a voice," Avila said. "We have a lot of support and unity between women."
Although most participants were Latino, some Korean Americans protested a prospective trade agreement between the United States and South Korea.
America's foreign policy was the driving force behind illegal immigration, said marcher Sunyoung Yang.
"Saturday is a direct effect of U.S. foreign policy," said Yang, 24, of Los Angeles. "This is an important issue. It's a global issue directly linked with what U.S. corporations and the U.S. government does to the rest of the world."
The March 25th Coalition, which organized a massive protest earlier this year through downtown streets that drew an estimated half-million people also sponsored Saturday's smaller march.
Organizers hoped another rally planned for Monday in downtown Los Angeles and Wilmington would draw more people.
State and local officials are expected to attend a Labor Day breakfast at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, in advance of a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Roger Mahony, who is expected to talk about immigration.
Many of the participants are then expected to head to Wilmington for the National Alliance for Immigrant Rights Labor Day march and rally.
During a speech Friday to a business networking group meeting in Studio City, Mahony criticized Congress for failing to act on immigration reform.
"I don't see much on the horizon that is going to result in meaningful legislation by the end of September," he told the Friday Morning Group, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.
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Gary in Murrieta wrote on Sep 2, 2006 8:24 PM:Get real! If amnesty, and a mortorium on deportations were to happen, there would be a swarm on our borders like never seen in history. All of Central and South America would empty out and the United States would cease to exist, as we know it. Third World here we come!
Skip wrote on Sep 2, 2006 8:54 PM:FOLLOW THE LOGIC HERE :The Federal Government fails to secure the United States Borders, thus allowing millions of illiterate, impoverished, and non-English speaking illegal Aliens to flood our cities and ultimately enter into our school systems...... Then it penalizes our schools with sanctions because these same students cannot meet the Federal guidelines for performance, and our schools cannot adequately teach them. What kind of Alternate universe is our government in? This is so out of touch with reality.
Amnesty failed in 1986 wrote on Sep 2, 2006 11:01 PM:Remember the Great Experiment in blanket amnesty of 1986? President Reagan was convinced to give amnesty to about 2 million illegal aliens in return for securing the border. Well, that certainly worked out well! We now have well over 11 million illegal aliens and the border is absolute mayhem!!
Skip wrote on Sep 2, 2006 11:03 PM:Amnesty only encourges more illegal immigration!. IF (and only if) the border is REALLY sealed and illegal immigration laws are enforced, then we can reward those who wait in line and are willing to obey our laws by considering increasing the legal immigration quota from Mexico and other countries. We can even provide American flags in which to wrap themselves, contrary to the example of Ms. Chavarria pictured above.
Tom wrote on Sep 2, 2006 11:43 PM:The more they march the more the average American gets pissed off. Just let them keep doing it. It's only waking up our sleeping giant of ticked of Americans that see our laws flagrantly broken and then these same law breakers demand "rights" they have no legal means to ask for. Only in America.
Mimi wrote on Sep 3, 2006 4:13 AM:Isn't America great!? Even if you are not a citizen, you are allowed to speak out. However, if you are not a citizen don't use my fellow American's resources such as schools, welfare or water. By allowing aliens in school we are dumbing down our school system. Remember the "No student left behind program" is for all students, our bright ones are the ones left behind in this prgram, unless you can afford private school.
RWC wrote on Sep 3, 2006 6:16 AM:Those that are for amnesty and mortorium on departation are for chaos in our country. American patriots are for securing our borders. Our national security and American way of life are at stake.
Valley Center wrote on Sep 3, 2006 9:49 AM:Personally, the more demonstrations the better. Hoomeland Security, INS, you name 'em, they're all taking pictures of these people. The more we can identify the better. Advocating an illegal action against the government is treason. Round 'em up and bus them the Costa Rico.
Wonder wrote on Sep 3, 2006 9:51 AM:Hey ICE, where the heck were you? You should have been in L.A. with buses to ship these invaders out of here.
AlegalAlien wrote on Sep 3, 2006 10:20 AM:Amnesty is a slap in the face to everyone who followed the existing laws to legally enter the United States! Amensty rewards criminals who slink into the country in the dead of night to rob taxpayers of the money spent on health care, education and social services. The federal government needs to enforce existing laws, deport violators and secure our borders!
Edward wrote on Sep 3, 2006 10:55 AM:Get rid of them! Our country is having serious problems because of these criminals. We need to start doing sweeps and deport these criminals!(yes they are criminals) We will lose this country forever! Start doing something, for our kids sake!!!
Steve wrote on Sep 3, 2006 11:09 AM:If it happens the standard of living is gonna go down for the average American. We may as well replace the American flag with the Mexican flag 'cos it's only a matter of time.
Bob wrote on Sep 3, 2006 11:23 AM:Ammnesty of 86 failed! See hoe history repeats itself? Those who do not learn from the past are condemed to repeat it! The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, it will put this process on steroids. If we don't put our foot down here, instead of Mexico, God help the USA!
Dan (Temecula) wrote on Sep 3, 2006 11:26 AM: Lets not forget that this is not a racist issue. All colors are on both sides, thus making this a non racist issue. It does include races but never the less racist issue. What people from south of the border fail to realize is that are country is being sought by another country in order to take over,and start off fresh from there messed up country. That being said if your from south of the border, how would you feel if millions of illegals came to your country, stole from your countries benefits, demanded more rights than the average citizens, and cried racist because you disagreed with your tax money is not were you wanted it to go? How would you feel? Now I'm not talking about a few thousand I am talking about millions of uneduacated, crime riddoned people, who aren't willing to embrace your country as there's. Stop making this a racist issue when brown, black, white, and others wish your kind would go back,a nd stand in line like the other millions who clearly deserve to be here more than you. You are a disgrace to this country, and your own as you are willing to break a law, but wish for laws to protect you. ILLEGALS OF ALL RACES DISGUST ME WHEN YOU THINK YOU CAN MARCH TO YOUR FREEDOM TO GAIN MORE FREE BENEFITS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE MORE COMFORTABLE!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA, AND PLEASE GO HOME!!!!
Dan (Temecula) wrote on Sep 3, 2006 11:39 AM: This is not a racist issue. It is however a race issue that all colors, are on both sides of the tape. If you are illegal, how would you feel if millions of illegals came to your country, and made it worse, demanded rights for more free social services, and driven down the price on your real estate? Its not fair that you break the laws of this great nation, and expect to be rewarded for it. Its as simple as that. It is clear that you do not deserve to be here, and the ones who have waited oh so patiently do belong. I have been blessed with being an American citizen, but what is in it for me, and my family by giving you citizenship? And yes there should be something in it for me because I don't need more bills if, and when you become citizens. Not to mention all my hard earned tax dollars that has already gone your way. You will suck America dry, and slowly turn this place into where ever you came from. Doesn't sound like a good deal to me. So please stop harrasing America, and the benefits that is suppose to help its own. Just get the %$@# out, and don't even come back. You are not welcome.
Roxan wrote on Sep 3, 2006 3:30 PM:1965 and 1986 was such a disaster, we're supposed to be stupid enough to repeat this? What happened to securing the borders that was supposed to be promised in 1986? Also, (I'm not particularly any party), AND....Schwarzenegger ignores the "Watsonville Brown Berets/his wife Maria Shriver Incident AND MAYWOOD and..HE..never acknoweledges any email I have ever sent him regarding this. I am just furious over that. I'll bet my bottom dollar he'll ignore all these marches as well. Well, maybe he's a do nothing, Girlyman after all.
Pete wrote on Sep 3, 2006 3:47 PM:When someone's back is against the wall (verbally speaking) that's when someone will turn it into a racial issue.
Daren wrote on Sep 3, 2006 6:04 PM:These criminal illegals have no Constitutional rights in this country. They should have been rounded up, arrested and deported during this offensive protest. Build the border wall, resume the neighborhood raids and force these criminals to apply to live here legally!!!
kc wrote on Sep 3, 2006 6:21 PM:Let them march again. Remember May 1. The day without an illegal? Failed miserably. No one really noticed. Many just got more pissed off. These protests just remind the silent majority its time to wake up and smell the tequila. Time to put a stop to this invasion. Keep marching.
Secure wrote on Sep 3, 2006 6:27 PM:The more these people march demanding their "rights", the more convinced I am that we need to secure the borders NOW and rid ourselves of illegals!
Pedro wrote on Sep 3, 2006 9:54 PM:We have Chicano power. We'll outnumber you at the voting booths and take over your land.. The power of the people! We want amnesty and we'll get it!
Pedro wrote on Sep 3, 2006 11:42 PM:We're gonna overwhelm you by sheer numbers, that's how voting works.
dh wrote on Sep 4, 2006 6:42 AM:These Criminals need to be deported as soon as possible!!! NO Amnesty , Secure the border and Please speak ENGLISH . A border ENFORCEMENT BILL ONLY !!!! ICE is starting to deport all these Criminals and needs to get the Criminals in the Chicago Church with her anchor baby!!!!!
Secure wrote on Sep 4, 2006 12:03 PM:The "in your face" comments by "Pedro" 9-03 provide a good example of why American citizens must insist on deporting illegals and securing the border NOW! The life and living conditions of our kids and grandkids depends on it. No amnesty for the "in your face" group.
Susan wrote on Sep 11, 2006 11:07 AM:The people coming across our borders illegally demanding "rights" appear to incapable of organizing themselves in their own cuntries and demanding these same rights for a better way of life. They fail to understand the values that have made this country what it is, and until they are capable of doing that, they are sure to destroy the very thing that draws them here. For it is not "land" that draws them here, it is the economic opportunities and values that they seems incapable of duplicating in their own countries.
Pete wrote on Sep 11, 2006 8:54 PM:Diane Feinstein is pro-amnesty!!!! And everybody on this blog is probably gonna vote for her?????????????????
Ed From Calif wrote on Nov 7, 2006 8:28 PM:Don't blame the people who are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. Blame our so called President, and those who refuse to close the border. Sending them all back will never happen and it is an ignorant comment. Closing the border and cracking down on employers will greatly minimize the influx of illegal aliens. As for the argument that illegal aliens come here to take advantage of our welfare system, do not contribute to the country’s economic well-being and do not pay taxes….. get educated. Money is the reason why the President will not close the border. Money is the reason why companies hire illegal aliens. If you voted for any one candidate that supports amnesty, then you are part of the problem.
Maribel wrote on Nov 20, 2006 4:12 PM:Yea..were here 2 stay...MEXICANS ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE! All you so called "white people" are gonna have to keep seeing us around here for years to come..and if you dont like it, well you can go back to Poland...Ireland...all those places.
Bok wrote on Jun 26, 2007 4:43 PM:It is so ironic that so many Mexicans argue that the United States was owned by Mexico and therefore belongs to them. All I can say is that whatever the history, they should be happy the U.S. is not Mexican territory or the millions of them that are here would be living in a third world country, dominated by corruption, poverty, gangs and despare, just like their beloved Mexico. We already see that they come to the U.S. and areas where they live are are soon dominated by corruption, poverty, gangs and despare!!!
unknown wrote on Oct 26, 2007 12:02 PM:We are all immigrants, we can probably trace our roots back to another country. The illegal immigrant doesn't want all the attention being given they just want to be left alone to work in peace.
Samantha wrote on Nov 29, 2007 11:30 AM:I agree with what most of you are saying about most illegal aliens being criminals. But the reality is, not all of them are. Some are willing to stand in line and wait for amnesty the right way. Being the daughter of immigrants myself I agree. If immigrants are willing to contribute into the tax paying system and be willing to learn english and follow the Laws of the United States, then why not?
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