HALF A MILLION PROTESTERS in LA! (w/photos!)

[kpete]

HALF A MILLION PROTESTERS in LA! (w/photos!)
by occams hatchet
Sat Mar 25, 2006 at 06:03:34 PM PDT


The LA Times reports that 500,000 people filled the streets of downtown Los Angeles today to protest the passage of proposed immigration reform bill HR 4437:


The crowd, estimated by police at more than 500,000, represented one of the largest protest marches in Los Angeles history, surpassing Vietnam War demonstrations and the 70,000 who rallied downtown against Proposition 187, a 1994 state initiative that denied public benefits to undocumented migrants.



Amazing. Inspiring. Humbling.

Si se puede!, indeed!

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/3/25/20334/2762

[paul_fromatlanta]

1. Yes, well how many are voters?

[Rainscents]

2. Probably at least 3/4 of them!

[paul_fromatlanta]

11. If its really three quarters then I'm wrong and it will be a substantial p

If its really three quarters then I'm wrong and it will be a substantial political influence.

[Rainscents]

16. Paul, sorry if I offended you by calling you name.

I shouldn't had done it! :pals:

[paul_fromatlanta]

20. Well, first, thank you

But second (and now you are gonna think I'm really clueless....) but I didn't register getting called a name - I only saw the content in your post and thought I had not communicated well.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

5. With All Due Respect, What A Stupid Thing To Say. n/t

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

10. I Can't Agree. Post Counts Mean Nothing To Me, Substance Does.

Every one of us had low posts once upon a time, but were we any less liberal then? I've seen some amazing quality posts from low count posters, and some pathetic, ignorant, extreme and misguided posts from some with thousands. Post count means nothing, substance does.

In this case, I think the substance was quite empty and foolish.

[Rainscents]

14. Your right, I shouldn't had said it.

Yes, I once had very low count too.:pals:

[paul_fromatlanta]

17. I look at post number too as well as length of time on the board

So I'm not in any position to complain - I'd be hypocritical if I did

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

23. It's All Good!

:pals:

[paul_fromatlanta]

26. Thank you n/t

[paul_fromatlanta]

24. I don't want to beat a dead horse

And frankly I couldn't beat any horse.. but you said

"In this case, I think the substance was quite empty and foolish."

And you sound bright so I'm surprised you don't see the connection between the portion of people who can vote and the power they have relative to their numbers.

Do you know why the religious conservative base is so strong in this country - its because when they mobilize they do it money and high turnouts. And when a Republican offends them they stay home in droves.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

32. Paul,

That post was written prior to your further explanation, so step away from the dead horse LOL (just teasin)

At the time, I thought your original post was just trying to be snarky towards the protesters with the intent of implying that "they're all illegal aliens and can't vote anyway so who cares". It was under that guise that I responded that I felt it to be empty and foolish.

Upon your further explanation, however, you saw I responded with a clearer understanding and respect for what you had meant.

[paul_fromatlanta]

35. And I wrote the dead horse post before I read your second reply

There are some real limitations to this form of communication but it is nonetheless invaluable.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

37. ROFL!

:rofl:

Too funny.

[paul_fromatlanta]

15. I hear you - but I look at all these things from an analytical point of vi

I hear you - but I look at all these things from an analytical point of view and thus the absolute numner of marchers in not as important as the effect on the elections. And sometimes it does upset people that I'm not more emotional...I'm used to it - and make the best of it by having a job where I am supposed to be the calm one when everything is going wrong.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

21. I Respect That Reply.

I think you portrayed what you were trying to say better that time and kept a level head in response to someone calling your original post stupid (hehe) and I respect that.

[im10ashus]

12. I'd be willing to guess quite a few of them.

I spoke with a friend of mine who drove up from Long Beach. He's a U.S. Citizen of Mexican descent. Does he count or are we going to start separating those brown people from the rest of us?

[paul_fromatlanta]

28. If the portion of voters is high then I am wrong about the diminished poli

If the portion of voters is high then I am wrong about the diminished political impact.

Its also important because it is legal immigrants who are displaced by illegal immigrants - that's the reason that there is no support for increased immigration quotas when economically we need another million legal immigrants.


I think its a litmus test. If I tell someone that we need another million legal immigrants and they look horrified then I conclude they likely don't really care border security -they just don't want more immigrants period - a very short sighted position given that continued immigration has been the lifeblood of the country and that newly arrived legal immigranta who waited to have thier chance are some of our most productive workers and become exptremely productive citizens.

[im10ashus]

29. So as long as it has an added political boost it is okay?

Just so I am clear.

[paul_fromatlanta]

31. I wasn't judging OK or not OK

I was trying to evaluate the likely impact.

In this country, for people power to translate to real power they need to be voters.

[im10ashus]

33. That's a great point.

But in this country, in order to get someone to the polls, you need a hot-button topic like immigration or gay marriage to get them there. Proof again that most American's take their place here for granted. The right to vote is a joke in this country and we have the most deplorable voter-turnout than any other modern country. Unless you have a wedge issue on the table. Well, welcome to the new wedge issue.

[kpete]

34. Add me to the list of PROUD U.S. Citizen of Mexican Descent

An Hi... im10ashus...

[paul_fromatlanta]

38. I just married two years ago into a Latvian family

They do a great job of beng good Americans without losing their history - it's a great thing -this country is built on people with new skills and new energy coming from around the world and adding their unique input to the American fabric. It is fantastic the benefit we get from new citizens.

That said, I favor more legal immigration rather than giving line jumpers the advantage. Legal immigration is severely limited by the large numbers of illegals. And I actually care about border security rather than using as an excuse to discriminate.

[im10ashus]

42. Sweet!

Hi kpete! :-) You responded. :hug:

[RagingInMiami]

53. I knew I liked you

:toast:

[radio4progressives]

3. Wow! That is simply amazing!

:applause: :thumbsup:

[Rainscents]

6. Very impressive!

:woohoo: :applause:

[burrowowl]

4. I'd say 800,000 to a million

I've seen an 800,000 protest in France and the area packed here seems larger.
Wish anti-war could get the same number as well.
Good Job protesters!

[kcass1954]

47. If the corporate media is reporting 500,000, you know it's got to be a lot

more than that.

[wakeme2008]

8. One small problem where are the

Ok I want everything .... :)

[Warpy]

9. So seal the borders, naturalize anyone on this side of them

and then do something about our depressed wages.

Or just do something about those wages. Forced to pay a living wage, employers would prefer to hire people who speak English and who have legal paperwork.

It's only the ability to pay a substandard wage that causes employers to put up with people they can barely communicate with and who don't share their culture.

Raise the minimum wage floor so it'll support one person*. Punish any employer who tries to pay people less than the going rate no matter who they are.

The problem isn't the Mexicans or (in Boston) the Irish or any other large group of illegal immigrants. The problem is the CHEAP ASS EMPLOYERS who take advantage of them, exploit them, pay substandard wages, and use it all as an excuse to drive down the wages of all Americans to a substandard level.

*Support: standard housing, adequate calories, clothing, routine medical care, transportation, and a little left over to save for luxuries or for retirement.

[JDPriestly]

50. That is the answer.

Raise the minimum wage in this country for everyone legal or illegal and employers will prefer English-speaking people. Of course, to raise the minimum wage and remain competitive we will have to do away with NAFTA and the other trade agreements that have sold out or workers and caused our jobs and our money to be off-shored. Illegal immigration is just one aspect of the attack on unions, decent wages and the middle and working classes in America.

[Tom Joad]

13. I was there in 1994. It was beautiful then. Only more so now.

Viva La Huelga!

[im10ashus]

19. ¡Sí, Se Puede!

:hi:

[Pastiche423]

18. WOW!

If that doesn't make a statement, what will?

[bigwillq]

22. I'm so happy with the turnout!

:bounce:


Those pics are really cool!

[osaMABUSh]

25. Awesome!

Jez, that completely destroys every anti-Iraqi war protest we ever attempted.

These people are pissed and, you know, they are essentially already Americans like my grandparents from Poland and Italy some 80 year ago.

[C_U_L8R]

27. Fantastic !!!

I'd love to see a crowd like that in Washington !!!!

[Breeze54]

30. The 1st one is quite an impressive picture!

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=70da35086214d5eb9913e8d8114e0022

Immigrant Rights Protests Spread -- New Chapter in Civil Rights Movement
New America Media, News Digest, Elena Shore, Mar 25, 2006

Hispanic media report that hundreds of thousands of immigrants and their supporters
are marching in cities across the country on behalf of immigrant rights.
In the last few weeks, more than 50 demonstrations – described by some cities as the
largest in their history – have occurred in Milwaukee, Providence, Trenton, Minneapolis,
Knoxville, Seattle, St, Louis, Staten Island, Chicago, Washington, Portland, Grand Rapids,
Tucson, Phoenix, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Snip-->
Chicago

The Chicago protest drew more than 300,000 demonstrators, according to Spanish-language
newspaper La Raza.
Led by pro-immigrant organizations like Centro Sin Fronteras (Center Without Borders)
and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant Rights, it included protesters from a variety
of backgrounds. Although the majority of protestors were Mexican, other groups also
participated in the march, including Irish, Salvadoran, Chinese,
Vietnamese and Polish immigrants.
Meanwhile, thousands of immigrants protested Friday, March 24 in Atlanta,
Phoenix and Tucson.

Phoenix

With approximately 30,000 protesters, the march in Phoenix was the largest in the
city’s history, reports La Opinión.

“A human river flooded the streets” of the city, the newspaper reports,
as men, women and children marched toward the office of Sen. Jon Kyl
(R-Arizona with signs that read “I’m not a criminal, I’m a worker”
and “If my job is permanent my residency should be too.”

Mexican immigrant Irma López told La Opinión that she did not support
“these kinds of racist laws.”

“What we want,” she said, “is for them to give us the opportunity
to work honestly, and for them to respect our rights as human beings.”

Tucson

In Tucson, another 1,500 people participated in a similar protest.

Atlanta

And in Atlanta, Latino workers and consumers made their absence felt in
a citywide boycott, reports La Opinión. According to organizer Teodoro Maus,
an estimated 80,000 Latinos did not show up for work on Friday.

About 200 demonstrators gathered in front of the Georgia Capitol in a separate protest.
Some demonstrators were wrapped in the Mexican flag and carried signs that said,
“Don’t be scared, we’re Hispanics” and “We have a dream too,” referencing the famous
civil rights speech by Martin Luther King Jr.

The Atlanta boycott was organized by the March 17 Alliance, a coalition of radio
broadcasters, religious and community leaders who called for the protest one day after
the Georgia House of Representatives approved bill SB529,
introduced by Republican Sen. Chip Rogers.

The bill will return to the state senate for a vote with new amendments,
including one that would force undocumented immigrants to pay an additional
five percent charge when they send remittances electronically.

More protests are slated for Monday, March 27, when faith leaders from across
the country will hold a demonstration in Washington, DC. And in Boston, more than
500 protesters are expected to march to Tremont Temple for a religious celebration
in support of immigration reform.

[pinto]

36. This is America.

[Carla in Ca]

55. An America , a city, I'm very proud of today!

Very proud indeed. Here is another photo I found:

[Greeby]

39. Imagine if this is followed-up at the ballot box

One way or another, you'd see a lot of Congresscritters out of jobs. :wow:

I just hope that Republicans are on the recieving end if it does happen

[podnoi]

58. Not sure if that is the case

I have read before that the hispanic vote favored republicans?

[adigal]

40. THIS is what we need to do

to take back our FISA laws, our democracy and to say, "Enough. Don't spy on me."

[LynnTheDem]

41. Too bad lying our soldiers to their deaths didn't inspire 500,000+

[Liberty Belle]

43. How do we get these protester to the polls?

Dems, get out to these immigration rallies and register every voter!
Pass out flyers, sign them up as precinct walkers and get these folks involved in overturning the GOP lock on power.

[Tom Joad]

44. We need to get dem politicians to address their concerns.

[QC]

45. Those are some very powerful visuals.

We will be seeing them a lot in a few months--in GOP ads accusing us of supporting illegal immigration.

[BrightKnight]

46. Democratic leadership should acknowledge basic immigrant rights

The Democratic leadership does not need to make any major policy statements. The repugs have moved too far to the right now. All the Democrats have to do is sound reasonable to capture the middle ground.

----------

Making Mexican workers felons is sick. They are only illegal because our immigration laws are rubbish. They are people and they deserve to be treated with respect.

The US economy would crash and burn without these people.

[rman]

56. US economy would crash and burn - not because of lack of labor

But because large corporations are robbing workers blind, both in the US and in Mexico.

The problem with illegal immigration stems from inequality between nations in workers rights and wages.

[podnoi]

59. Good point

But I would also add we exacerbate it by our policies. I am not sure how any country can survive in this time without orderly migration. I think the most recent number I heard was 4-5 million pouring over the border a year?

[rman]

62. Agreed,

When workers rights and wages have been globalized, migration would hardly be an issue at all.
While we are working towards that, we do need some way to control migration, to control it in such a way that it is not to the disadvantage of local workers. This should be a transitional situation.

[izzybeans]

48. Ironically some here will make posts such as "Yeah well

how many of them are voters" and not see the utter stupidity in it. Others will do it in jest.

[lovuian]

51. WOW what a protest!!! Who would have guessed that there

was such a HUGE Hispanic population in LA and california...
Do all those people own those million dollar homes there???

no wonder their so happy!!!

[imlost]

49. Kick Ass!!!! :)

[RagingInMiami]

52. That's fucking beautiful

Especially that top picture. God, I wish I was there.

[fleabert]

54. really pisses me off: CNN says only 20 thous. a few hours ago, then just

now they said 200 thousand. WTF?

There is no way possible that pic is only of 20,000 people, and I would err on the side of 500 over 200 thousand as well.

[podnoi]

57. How can we stay secure without orderly immigration?

As much as I agree with much of what this is about, what other country would allow such huge numbers of undocumented people across it's borders? How can we any security against a possible nuclear or WMD event in our borders?

And how can we support social programs if all do not contribute through legal registration and the payment of taxes?

[IndyOp]

60. Crying.. Sons of immigrants that are in the military pray for justice!

I am humbled and I am grateful, so, so grateful.

If ever I start to feel as if 'we' - the politically aware progressives - are in this alone, I try to recall all of the other groups whose lives and fates intersect with ours, many of whom bear the brunt of national and international policy far more than I do.

By the way, folks -- Does everyone know that Rev. Jesse Jackson has asked ALL Dems to learn Spanish? I keep meaning to order a Rosetta Stone program and get started. This has given me a bit of a kick in the rear in that regards.

[tlsmith1963]

61. Illegal Immigration isn't the Problem

These people are victims of the global economy just as much as we are. I am sick of people bashing them. Rich leaders who screw over average people are the problem.

Tammy

[Octafish]

63. Bingo! What tlsmith1963 said.

We live during the Haitiazation of the United States. The top 1-percent will own 99-percent of the wealth, the remaining 99-percent will have to fight over the remaining 1-percent of property, income and whatever credit that's available.