Update: Apparently many business, as predicted, have been affected (although some say all they’ve noticed is less traffic). At any rate, not all immigrants agree with the protests:
Meanwhile, a coalition of Hispanic-American groups held a news conference in Washington to stress that the protesters do not represent all immigrants. “We understand the importance, contribution immigrants have made to the economy and the industry of this great nation,” said retired Col. Albert F. Rodriguez, a veteran of World War II and the Vietnam War. “But the difference is that we and millions of others like us did it legally. We’re all here today to tell all those illegal protesters, ‘You do not speak for me.’ ” (emphasis added)
Original Post: From the website, daywithoutanimmigrant.com:
We realize that there are many that are already convinced that having a boycott and a work stoppage is the only way to let legislators and others know that comprehensive reform is not an issue but a cause for which the many are willing to risk everything.
I think that the nation and congress already have a high awareness of this issue and are seeking comprehensive reform. Protests like today’s attempt to blur the lines on this issue framing the issue as being about “immigration” – it is not, it is about illegal immigration.
The deeper issue here deals with the concept of rule of law and what to do about those who break a law unpopular with them. While I don’t suggest there are any easy answers, I will flatly state that any type of amnesty is not the way to deal with the issue. A few suggestions:
1.) A well-regulated guest worker program
2.) No amnesty, no exceptions
3.) Illegals deported; waiting period to reenter legally (years)
4.) Preference for highly educated/skilled applicants
5.) No fines – most illegals have time, not money
What if the boycott has the opposite effect? If people decided that it wasnt so bad, it could mean that the existing laws will actually be enforced.
That would be ironic.
As it is, many – especially legal immigrants – think yesterday’s stunt went too far. One problem is that the illegal immigrant community just doesn’t seem to get it. This morning on NPR I heard an interview with a woman who was complaining about the hardships her husband, who she described as an “immigrant,” faced, including fear of the INS. Immigrants don’t need to fear the INS, illegal immigrants should.
Rep. Tom Tancredo wrote about ‘A Day Without an Immigrant’, correctly labeling it ‘A Day Without an Illegal Immigrant‘.
I find it wierd that these illegal immigrants expect sympathy from Americans when many of them are carrying signs saying “this our our land - go back to Europe!”. If anything, these protests should galvanize the immigration restrictionists.
Well, this is what I’ve been hearing about the big day:
1. Moderates turning against the illegal immigrant’s cause
2. The stores that closed down mainly served the very people who were out protesting.
3. Traffic was a lot better, mass transit less crowded, thanks to the ‘boycott’.
A few more protests like this and Congress will really have its marching orders.
You know, I went to my local Lowe’s yesterday and noticed that the lines were empty and everything moved really quickly.
I don’t know whether that had anything to do with the protests, but it was really pleasant to be able to shop quickly.
You know, after the first big rally, someone at the Metro left behind a Spanish language copy of “Revoluccion,” which claimed to be a publication of the Revolutionary Communist Party. Maybe I should scan in a picture and post it. Really wacky stuff. The people who write and publish that dreck are using the aliens as political cannon fodder. It’s actually hurting the aliens’ cause, but hey, kinda fun to lead the masses, no?
Speaking of alien, this idea that people who come to this country illegally have a right to remain and enjoy all of the privileges of citizenship is alien to me. On a personal level, I even have sympathy for many of them, but we’re being overrun, and like James, I want to give first pick to the brightest and best educated the world has to offer.
… who come here LEGALLY, right? Smart AND law-abiding, not just smart, eh?