We can no longer use the term loosely – America’s war against migrants is real, and the nation’s rulers mean to sweep the nation’s barrios the way Katrina swept the Black wards of New Orleans. And like the military operations visited upon the Black population of that city in the wake of the winds and floods, the war against migrants is a race war – one directed from the highest levels of power.

The recent strikes by ICE against migrant workplaces in dozens of cities across 26 states served as a crystal clear declaration: no matter what immigration bill passes in Washington, “enforcement” is the order of the day.

Whoever the government “legalizes,” it means to round up the rest in massive raids, ship them en masse to detention camps, then deport them, creating an atmosphere of mass repression and terror among brown people nationwide. Everyone with brown skin will be targeted. The only question still on the table is who will be directly subject to deportation.

The amnesty provisions of the bills being debated can only be summed up as part of a divide and conquer strategy. The government is laying its bet – that those who are offered a “path to legalization” will be too frightened of losing their “legal” status to resist the mass deportation of those still deemed “illegal.”

Such divisions are being foreshadowed today in the struggle over the May 1st Huelga General (general strike and boycott). The current division is based in denial – denial that the main aspect of government policy is a massive crackdown and ethnic cleansing – and that “inclusion” has little to do with it.

The recent mass raids are part of a Homeland Security / ICE plan called ENDGAME. The plan bluntly states the aim of the Bush administration: to deport all deportable migrants by the year 2012.

It’s in this context that the government wants pro-migrant groups to accede to a “compromise.” The simple truth is that those who are willing to take the bait -like the National Council of La Raza – are accepting terms of surrender in the war against migrants. In a Devil’s bargain they are willing to sacrifice as many as 7 million people in order to save some 5 million from the most direct impacts of mass raids, detention camps and deportations.

On May 1st these maneuvers will reach a dramatic climax. Those who oppose the General Strike - like the “We Are America” coalition in Los Angeles – are sending a message that resistance is futile; that we should fear an imaginary “backlash” more than the concrete plans of the government to attack our communities, and that the best we can hope for is the “mercy” of the racist Republican Right. They say they don’t want us to “provoke” mass repression or legislative defeat.

Fearful and trapped between the power of those on high and the power of those below, one section of the movement’s middle class leadership has changed its tune. No longer is their slogan a proud, defiant and joyful “!Si, Se Puede!” but a resigned and cautious “No se puede.” They want to slip the needle into the vein and put the newly awakened brown giant back to sleep.

But let’s make it plain, as Brother Malcolm used to say: Krystallnacht – the night of shattered glass that marked the onset of the persecution, mass deportation and ultimately the mass death of the targets of German fascism – was not a “backlash.” It was, rather, the implementation of an ongoing racist intent to persecute, exclude and permanently remove unwanted ethnic groups, and to do so by any means necessary.

The Gypsies, Slavs and Jews of Europe did nothing to “provoke” the Nazis; Native America did nothing to “provoke” Europe; African Americans did nothing to “provoke” lynching; the migrants of Australia did nothing to “provoke” the white population to carry out the recent anti-migrant race riots there.

Such persecutions operate on their own, internally reinforced racist logic. The only thing those who were targeted had to do was exist – and be vulnerable. And no one is more vulnerable than someone whose very existence is deemed “illegal.”

The race and vulnerability of most migrants to the US made persecution a foregone conclusion; the writing on the wall was clear from the moment a powerful group of racist lawmakers and their media allies made an electric spectacular out of a tiny cult of ultra rightists, vigilantes and “white nationalists” who took up arms and went migrant hunting on the border.

The agenda was always straightforward racist persecution enforced with guns – whether it’s ICE or the Minutemen makes no difference, just as there is no essential difference between the anti-Mexican Zoot Suit Riots of the 40s, the recent anti-immigrant pogroms in Australia, official mass roundups like Operation Wetback or the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during WW2.

The powers that be didn’t wait to be “provoked” by impolite behavior or economic boycotts before launching the recent mass raids.

In other words, nothing has changed except this: Since the mass pro-amnesty marches in Chicago and Los Angeles our potential for mass resistance against mass repression is now on the table as an absolute factor in the equation.

And that’s what the May 1st Huelga General is all about. It’s about our power and their vulnerability, instead of the other way around. Many of those calling for the general strike understand the power of resistance, and exactly how much is at stake.

Over a hundred actions in more than 60 cities are planned. Some – even in the mainstream Spanish language press, are calling on us to not take as our banner the Black resistance of the 1960s, but to follow the example of the recent student strikes and immigrant rebellions in France, as well.

The future of millions lies in the balance on May 1st – and it is the future not only of brown people, but of Blacks, whites, and of everyone who has an investment in stopping the rapidly escalating trend toward fascism in the US. If we fail on that date, there will be no chance to reunite a divided movement. If we fail on that date, a new message will be written on the wall: there was ultimately no mass resistance to the racial scapegoating essential to the development of full blown fascism in the US.

The middle ground has fallen away.

On May 1st we will send one of two messages: “We Resist” or “We Surrender.”

It’s up to us to shape the future, to shape our own endgame.

Everything depends on what we choose.

The line that reads:

Over a hundred actions in more than 60 cities are planned. Some – even in the mainstream Spanish language press, are calling on us to not take as our banner the Black resistance of the 1960s, but to follow the example of the recent student strikes and immigrant rebellions in France, as well.

should read

Over a hundred actions in more than 60 cities are planned. Some – even in the mainstream Spanish language press, are calling on us to take as our banner not only the Black resistance of the 1960s, but to follow the example of the recent student strikes and immigrant rebellions in France, as well.

The call to model the immigrants rights movement on the French student (anti CPE) strike or the Black liberation movement is something new to me, mostly since I haven't followed much of the Spanish-language press. Where did you read this? Could you post a link?

The Civil Rights movement was not mob rule and neither is the current one. Besides we already live under elitist rule, which has brought us enough problems as is. The only backlash is occurring amongst ignorant, stupid Americans who think racial purity and the bible are "truths," and that the world is flat and santa claus is real, saddam has WMD, etc.
Most Americans aren't that stupid and based on their own true christian values, not the fake ones promoted by false prophets like fat robertson, they don't really have a beef with immigrants as people. Its the taxes and public funds thing they have a beef with, and it doesn't take much to educate people on how the amount of money spent on immigrants pales behind the amount of money they contribute to the economy and pales far behind the money wasted on that disaster called Iraq and giving tax breaks to the rich and corporations. Also, most aren't that stupid to realized that pretty much all Americans, except Native Indians, are descended from immigrants to begin with.

The only thing we have to worry about is that in today's political climate and under the current regime is that racist wackos and their confused minority ally ilk are giving free reign to spout their venom on everything from the five o'clock news to the FUXNEWS channel. But we have to remember that these morons are the minority, and a very small one at that--its just that the regime and news media parade them around at their convenience to confuse people and distort the issues. And once they've been neutralized, which is already happening, somebody needs to keep an eye on them since they have the potential to become the north american taliban with their connections to the military and other far right domestic terrorist groups. See the southern poverty law centers website for info on these idiots.

[by AMERICAN Wednesday, Apr. 26, 2006 at 3:27 PM

The Civil Rights movement was not mob rule and neither is the current one]

I agree the civil rights movement was not mob rule.
Besides those who fought in the civil rights movement were LEGAL American citizens. No comparison.

You do not believe that these so called protests aren't mob rule? Sure go ahead and believe that. You are suffering from delusions induced by socialism. These riots and the
planned boycott are extremly close to terrorist acts. IMO

act of terrorism - the calculated use of violence (or threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimindation or coercion or instilling fear

[by AMERICAN Wednesday, Apr. 26, 2006 at 3:27 PM
The only backlash is occurring amongst ignorant, stupid Americans who think racial purity and the bible are "truths," and that the world is flat and santa claus is real, saddam has WMD, etc.
Most Americans aren't that stupid and based on their own true christian values, not the fake ones promoted by false prophets like fat robertson, they don't really have a beef with immigrants as people.]

I have true Christian values, and do not follow Pat Robertson. And I am against the protests/riots.
And FYI I am not against immigrants, just ILLEGAL ones.

[by AMERICAN Wednesday, Apr. 26, 2006 at 3:27 PM
Also, most aren't that stupid to realized that pretty much all Americans, except Native Indians, are descended from immigrants to begin with.]

True I agree. But you left out one important factor. Those immigrants you mentioned were LEGAL.

If any of you who think that mobs of ILLEGALS have a right to protest to demand our country's laws be changed to suit them should perhaps move to a communist country and see how you like it there. Or better yet a third world country
even.
That is excactly where all of you self hating liberal White people belong. Not here. GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY!

They are ILLEGAL. They have no rights that any LEGAL American can expect. They have no right to demand civil rights. If I were an American who had fought for my civil rights, I would be incensed at the thought of the comparing of the two.

These ILEGAL immigramts and
artists do not just want amensty.
They wish to take over the United States.
This is an invasion. Candy coat it all you like.

The only acts of terrorism in America are those by white supremacists (of which you seem to be one, and don't lie to me about "I'm black" or some retarded fake response like that). Anglo Americans like the KKK defined American terrorism when they burned churches and hung African Americans and Mexicans from trees. Go to CNN.com and read about how a group of white kids in a suburb outside of Houston jumped a Hispanic kid and sodomized him with a metal pipe. That's not only terrorism, its just plain sick.

You don't have true Christian values, because Christ never used the word "illegal" to judge people, HELLO!
(or hell for your dumb ass). Its called unconditional love, honey. Get a clue.

Anglo Americans came to this country and created a country they named the U.S. on the blood of Native Americans and by stealing Mexican land. The institution of the border was an arbitrary decision made by people who have no right to the land they occupy.

African Americans were once considered "illegal" once they escaped from their servitude and went north. If they went into Mexico, they were considered free persons. In 1832 Mexico abolished slavery while it was still the law in the U.S. In the late 19th century, Pio Pico, an African-Mexican, was the last Mexican governor of California while Africans in the U.S. (east of the Mississippi were still in bondage. In 1840, the U.S. made it illegal to import slaves, but plantation owners did it anyway, so Africans slaves were basically "illegal" again by that regard. And then the fugative slave law in 1850 made it possible for Anglos to arbitrarily arrest African Americans on the spot if they felt like it.

"If I were an American who had fought for my civil rights, I would be incensed at the thought of the comparing of the two."

Why, since you obviously don't know shit about your history, and you obviously don't know anything about how much Latinos have contributed to this country along with African Americans in the past and present.

"These ILEGAL immigramts and artists do not just want amensty. They wish to take over the United States. This is an invasion. Candy coat it all you like."

Learn how to spell first, and beside, what do you think Anglos did in the first place to the Native Americans.
Anglos are still the majority in this country, and still make up the majority of the welfare rolls that they ignorantly think Latinos dominate.

Before you try to engage in a debate, get educated first and learn about your own culture. There is no such thing as white nor illegal. These are all just labels that the U.S. created to divide people. Get a clue and be a real American.

The only acts of terrorism in America are those by white supremacists (of which you seem to be one, and don't lie to
about "I'm black" or some retarded fake response like that). Anglo Americans like the KKK defined American terrorism when they burned churches and hung African Americans and Mexicans from trees.

I am not a "white supremacist. I am not a racist, I am a realist. A concerned American citizen. What are you?
Besides I was not speaking of American terrorism. I am speaking of illegal immigrants. Which would not, could not fall under the title of "American terrorists" Since they are not Americans.

Go to CNN.com and read about how a group of white kids in a suburb outside of Houston jumped a Hispanic kid and sodomized him with a metal pipe. That's not only terrorism, its just plain sick.

Oh excuse me, Im so sorry. I somehow forgotten that only white kids commit hideous crimes. Where is my head?


In Los Angeles, 95 percent of all outstanding warrants for homicide (which total 1,200 to 1,500) target illegal aliens. Up to two-thirds of all fugitive felony warrants (17,000) are for illegal aliens.

New York conveniently forgot the 1996 federal ban on sanctuary laws until a gang of five Mexicans—four of them illegal—abducted and brutally raped a 42-year-old mother of two near some railroad tracks in Queens.

CRIME VICTIMS OF ILLEGAL ALIENS
http://www.immigrationshumancost.org/text/crimevictims.html

There is an enormous number of Americans who have been harmed by the criminals who pass through the nation's open borders. For that reason, this section can only provide a symbolic tribute to the many unnamed victims who have been killed, raped, robbed, crippled and otherwise personally violated.

You don't have true Christian values, because Christ never used the word "illegal" to judge people, HELLO!
(or hell for your dumb ass). Its called unconditional love, honey. Get a clue.


What an epitome of class you display. If only more were like you....

I am not judging anyone. (Although I feel that you are judging me)
They come here illegally, by illegally disobeying our laws.
That = "illegal"

I am a law abiding Christian. What are you?
I am not a "white supremacist. I am not a racist, I am a realist.

I am a concerned American citizen. What are you?
Who does not use the terms "black" and
"retarded" Racist and discriminating, all in one little sentence...


And I call them as I see them. Illegal means one thing illegal. Most all realize what "illegal" means.

But for your benefit I give you the definition:

illegal:

1) adj. in violation of statute, regulation or ordinance, which may be criminal or merely not in conformity. Thus, an armed robbery is illegal, and so is an access road which is narrower than the county allows, but the violation is not criminal.

2) a person residing in a country of which he/she is not a citizen and who has no official permission to be there. (See: alien, illegal immigrant)

I suppose I could use the term "undocumented immigrant"
But calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrant is like calling a burglar an uninvited house guest.

...by stealing Mexican land. The institution of the border was an arbitrary decision made by people who have no right to the land they occupy.

We won the war get over it. We also bought the land fair and square. To the tune of 15 million dollars.

African Americans were once considered "illegal" once they escaped from their servitude and went north. If they went into Mexico, they were considered free persons. In 1832 Mexico abolished slavery while it was still the law in the U.S. In the late 19th century, Pio Pico, an African-Mexican, was the last Mexican governor of California while Africans in the U.S. (east of the Mississippi were still in bondage. In 1840, the U.S. made it illegal to import slaves, but plantation owners did it anyway, so Africans slaves were basically "illegal" again by that regard. And then the fugative slave law in 1850 made it possible for Anglos to arbitrarily arrest African Americans on the spot if they felt like it.

Blah blah blah. Once again you are playing the slavery race card. Mexico may have been a kind humane nieghbor then. But at present it is an extremely corrupt country, full of crime.

Guatemalan immigrants are tortured and killed, Mexican women are kidnapped, raped and killed (femicide). I believe there have been around 500 such cases.



Why, since you obviously don't know shit about your history, and you obviously don't know anything about how much Latinos have contributed to this country along with African Americans in the past and present.

There is that high level of class again.
Lets see where do I start. First of all I have not said one word against African (Americans). My case is the illegal immigration problem. Now one must look at the entire picture. They all need to become documented so we can weed out the criminal elements. (This includes those from other countries as well, not just Mexico) That is why the border needs to be sealed. Mexicans are not the only ones that can come across the border. It is a security issue.
The fact that some Mexican immigrants have contributed to this country, is niether here nor there.

Learn how to spell first, and beside, what do you think Anglos did in the first place to the Native Americans.
(Anglos) are still the majority in this country, and still make up the majority of the welfare rolls that they ignorantly think Latinos dominate.

Oooo one little typo, shame on me.
This discussion is not of the history of the (real Native Americans)
The title is: Immigration Endgame: May 1st and America’s New Race War

So what do you say we stick to the subject at hand.

Wrong:
The proportion of immigrant-headed households using at least one major welfare program is 24.5 percent compared to 16.3 percent for (native) households.
Key word: Native
As in legal American citizen. Your point is moot.

Before you try to engage in a debate, get educated first and learn about your own culture. There is no such thing as white nor illegal. These are all just labels that the U.S. created to divide people. Get a clue and be a real American.

I am aware of my culture. Your use of Anglo leads me to wonder of your culture/heritage

I am a white American citizen born of two white American parents. And I have never once used the term "Anglo" Caucasion perhaps...but not Anglo.

There is no such thing as "white" oh you just amaze me.
I am "white" . And the term does not offend me.
Why does it offend you? Issues you have a truckload of them don't you?
So considering your stand on "white" , would there then be no such people as "white supremacist's"?
Maybe they are "Anglo supremacist's" lmao
You brought up "white supremacy ", not I.

But... there is such a thing as "illegal". Again for your convenience, I have given you the definition above.
I am a "real American"!
Therefore I will not be buying a clue. Have no need.
What are you??
Someone who needs a clue himself, me thinks.

Time to wake up and smell the coffee.
.

All AMerican Girl said: "Besides those who fought in the civil rights movement were LEGAL American citizens. No comparison. "

For god' sake wake your stupid ass up.

It was ILLEGAL for Blacks to enter white spaces, restrooms, restaurants. It was ILLEGAL for a Black person to sit in the front of a bus. It was ILLEGAL for a Black and white person to marry.

It was all but ILLEGAL for a Black person to vote.

But it was virutally LEGAL for whites to lynch Blacks - sk Emmet Till's mother.

Blacks weren't LEGAL.

They were ILLEGAL.

Javier are you related to AMERICAN? Can eiether of you discuss a topic without being insulting and using derogative comments? Classy folks to be sure.


My point was that the African American citizens were still Americans. ( Not ILLEGAL aliens) Who so deserved to gain thier civil rights. They were forced to come here, unlike the ILLEGAL aliens whom come here at their own free will.
Unlike the ILLEGAL aliens who are not LEGAL American citizens, therefore have no rights as that of an LEGAL American citizen. As in demanding civil rights.

I would be interested in an argument in favor of the ILLEGAL
aliens that does not include riding on the tail of the African American civil rights movement, or the plight of the Native Americans. Apples and oranges....apples and oranges....

Or the laughable point of who are the true owners of a huge chunk of the United States. Time has passed, it would not be at all possible for the entire worlds peoples to return to wher they originally came from. Most of would have to be cut in at least half....theoritically speaking that is.

The ILLEGAL immigrants are just pawns of the far left (socialists).

I'm awake, thank you.
Or you?

If you say that immigrants don't have a choice coming here, you should look at whats going on down south: Death squads and agri-business.

US owned companies go down and buy up the land, and force the people that would have a happy life off. Government backed (sometimes US government backed) death squads murder entire families for living in the wrong village. I hate the goddamned Mexican government too!

The water supply is being polluted and privatized. You need a well? better talk to Coca cola.

Are the people that owned the land that has been turned into oil fields benifiting? Who is?

If you want to stop immigration, you better go out and stop NAFTA, FTAA WTO and the world bank. But hey, than you would have to pay more, not just at the pump, but for all your god damned consumer products. Its all a big fucking mess, so why should we fight the refugees of capitalism?

Think immigrants are a drain on the states? What about the war? Which one is bigger? Ever heard of prioritizing?

You're damn right if you say I got no class, I refuse to be part of any sort of class system, be that or current one or communism/ socailism.
Legalize them, and stop their explotation in this country and down south.
LOOK AROUND, WE'RE ALL PEOPLE! WHO NEEDS COUNTRIES ANYWAY?