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  • FRIDAY MARCH 24 2006 10:00 PM

Nationwide "Day Without a Mexican"

Submitted by Shal

Edited by Shal

Hundreds of thousands of people in the United States left school and their jobs today to join a mass protest of pending legislation that would make it a felony to be in the United States without a visa, would enact strict regulations on employers to verify the immigration status of all their employees, would impose a 5% fee on wire transfers from people who could not prove citizenship, and would require a wall to be built along at least 1/3 of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The bill, H.R. 4473 was introduced by Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner (R-WIS).

"It's my hope this legislative effort will not only help regain control of our borders and prevent illegal immigration, but will also help strengthen and promote our compassionate and welcoming legal immigration system," Sensenbrenner said in a statement when he introduced the legislation in December.

"Fixing these enormous problems will require a comprehensive effort addressing alien removal, worksite enforcement, the hiring of illegal workers, border security and interior immigration enforcement as well as ensuring America's labor needs are met," Sensenbrenner said.

The House of Representatives approved the bill in December. The Senate is scheduled to begin debating the legislation Monday.



An estimated 3200 high school students in Los Angeles walked out of classes and marched in the streets, flanked by police guards. Some schools in the Los Angeles area imposed strict lockdowns to keep their students from joining the protests.

About 15,000 people turned out in Phoenix, AZ, while almost 10,000 turned out in Milwaukee, WI, and an estimated 80,000 protested in the state of Georgia. In Chicago, IL, on March 10th, 75,000 to 100,000 people turned out to protest the bill.

Some protestors called Friday the "Day Without Latinos," in reference to the 2004 movie "A Day Without a Mexican," which showed what would happen to California if all Mexican immigrants suddenly vanished.

Here in Los Angeles, there will be a massive protest rally on Saturday, March 25th, to demand respect and eventual citizenship for the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

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Comments
S

S

I'm lost
February 2005

MAR 24, 2006 10:39 PM

Chicken and cheese quesadillas, Texas margaritas, chips, cheese dip, imported beer and super fast service....

God bless those Mexicans smile

ASSH0LE

ASSH0LE

Las Vegas, NV
June 2003

MAR 24, 2006 10:47 PM

If it weren't for Mexicans, I'd have a much harder time finding good and affordable Asian food around town. That nice cheap Japanese place would have to actually find some Japanese people to cook the food.

If the Felipitos that's in between my favorite bar and my home closed down... my ass wouldn't hurt so badly on Sunday morning. ooo aaa

But seriously, this law will accomplish next to nothing. We have a need for cheap labor, they have a need for employment. The law does nothing to remedy either situation, so it won't have the desired effect.


[Edited on Mar 24, 2006 10:48PM]

MrStitches

MrStitches

Brooklyn, NY
November 2003

MAR 24, 2006 11:05 PM

My favorite thing about the anti-immigration folk is how they go on about border security.

I wonder if they have any clue at all the resources it would take to secure JUST the mexican border. Then, when you add in the Canadian border, I have to wonder what, exactly, they expect to be done.

Holden_Caulfield

Holden_Caulfield

Ann Arbor, MI
April 2004

MAR 24, 2006 11:54 PM

¡Viva México! smile

FiendClub

FiendClub

Colton, CA
OLD SKOOL

MAR 25, 2006 12:22 AM

Better buy your produce now... it will probably rise in cost substantially. Why the fuck is it just us mexicans the gov is picking on right now? It's not like we're terrorists. I hate washing my own car.

ASSH0LE

ASSH0LE

Las Vegas, NV
June 2003

MAR 25, 2006 01:48 AM

MrTom said:

Timer said:
But seriously, this law will accomplish next to nothing. We have a need for cheap labor, they have a need for employment. The law does nothing to remedy either situation, so it won't have the desired effect.


It would be alot nicer to see a law for some sort of 'guest worker' program letting them come here legally to work.

At least that way they could be charged taxes shocked



Bush had an idea for that and it went nowhere. Figures, the only good idea the guy's had in five years...

AceTracer

acetracer

Hollywood, FL
January 2004

MAR 25, 2006 02:30 AM

It would never get signed by George Bush, and likely would never make it out of Congress. Historically Hispanics have never followed any one political party or candidate, like African Americans have. That's why they call us the sleeping giant; 20 million Hispanic votes that are not guaranteed by any party. And that's where Bush excels, he and his brother speak Spanish, he has half-Hispanic nieces and nephews, and gets along well with the Hispanic community.

You can be rest assured that if any of this is brought up and supported by any politician in the most populous states in the country, (California, New York, Florida, Texas) they won't be around long enough to apologize.

James_

James_

United Kingdom
March 2003

MAR 25, 2006 02:33 AM

Yeah, that's right. What the world needs right now is insularisation, and harder borders. whatever

Friedhamster

friedhamster

I'm lost
January 2006

MAR 25, 2006 02:37 AM

Oh god, oh god. PLEASE tell me this passed! Oh, boy this guy Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner is now my new hero. OOoooh I sooo hope this pased or does pass.

Ok, bring on the fire, go ahead. I want it to pass though!

Here in Los Angeles, there will be a massive protest rally on Saturday, March 25th, to demand respect and eventual citizenship for the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.



Sure, they can all have citizenship. Here's how. All 12 million can go right on back to mexico or where ever else they can here from, ILLEGALLY, and then apply like everyone has had to.

If I want to go to Canada or France, or the UK I can't just sneak in and hope for them to pass a law oking my actions.

[Edited on Mar 25, 2006 by Friedhamster]

SarcasticMenace

SarcasticMenace

Canada
May 2004

MAR 25, 2006 02:44 AM

Car_54 said:

MrStitches said:
My favorite thing about the anti-immigration folk is how they go on about border security.

I wonder if they have any clue at all the resources it would take to secure JUST the mexican border. Then, when you add in the Canadian border, I have to wonder what, exactly, they expect to be done.


You're assuming the anti-immigration people are even considering Canadian border security. I have found in my conversations that it's only the BROWN people they want kept out. Canadians can come here in force, if they want.

As a matter of fact, MANY of the young women around here just LOVE it when the Canadian harvest crews come through here...The Mexican roofers though...OOH! DIRTY...DIRTY BROWN PEOPLE...


You pretty much nailed it.

SarcasticMenace

SarcasticMenace

Canada
May 2004

MAR 25, 2006 02:49 AM

MrTom said:
It would be alot nicer to see a law for some sort of 'guest worker' program letting them come here legally to work.

At least that way they could be charged taxes shocked


If they could legally work here, they would be getting paid a shitload more money, and they should be. I doubt they'd mind a little tax in that case. smile

Friedhamster

friedhamster

I'm lost
January 2006

MAR 25, 2006 02:52 AM

Actaully I don't think Canadians want to come here. Why would they? Canada is like here but... better.

AceTracer

acetracer

Hollywood, FL
January 2004

MAR 25, 2006 03:07 AM

Friedhamster said:
Actaully I don't think Canadians want to come here. Why would they? Canada is like here but... better.


I can see from your brilliant discourse thus far that you have your hand on the pulse of the minds of foreigners everywhere, so I'm surprised you had to ask.

The unemployment rate is higher in Canada. They come here for the same reason anybody else does, for a job. I personally know of a few Canadian SuicideGirls that are or for a time were working here without a visa. Though I get the feeling you wouldn't be yelling for them to leave as much as a dirty Mexican.

bairdduvessa

bairdduvessa

Centerville, MA
April 2005

MAR 25, 2006 05:59 AM

SunshineDust said:

MrTom said:
It would be alot nicer to see a law for some sort of 'guest worker' program letting them come here legally to work.

At least that way they could be charged taxes shocked


If they could legally work here, they would be getting paid a shitload more money,


that's the real reason it won't pass

NickFaust

NickFaust

USA
April 2004

MAR 25, 2006 06:12 AM

I am not sure I get what is wrong with making employers verify people's immigration status.

To me focusing on employers is the ONLY way to effectively deal with the nations problems with immigration (and one doesn't have to be against mexicans or latino to acknowledge that there is an immigration problem).

People come to the US looking for jobs. People who try to come here illegally need to know that they will not be able to get work. Employers need to know that if they chose a business model dependent on illegal workers paid slave wages with no benefits, they will end up in jail.

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