EPCC Update 082701
August 26, 2007

A United Rally for Immigrant Rights and Elvira Arellano in Los Angeles August 25, 2007

Los Angeles-- Despite the hot and humid weather and a lethargic start because of the sound system , thousands of immigrants, advocates and anti-war protestors brought out a united front for Elvira Arellano and immigrant rights.

The protestors marched down the Olympic/Broadway road, snaked through 2nd street and Los Angeles street and ended at the intersection of Temple and Los Angeles Streets to protest the unjust deportation of Elvira Arellano and for full rights for all immigrants.

The protestors massed early at the Olympic intersection as early as 10:00 AM and started late around 12;45 PM.

The 4,000 to 5,000 strong march/rally was led by “We Are All Elvira and Saulito Coalition” led by the April 7 Coalition composed of Hermanidad Mexicana Nacional and the Latino Movement USA led by Juan Jose Gutierrez, Raul Murillo, Angelina Corona and the ANSWER-LA: the March 25 Coalition led by Javier Rodriguez; CHIRLA led by Angelica Salas and the CARACEN.

The group held their press conference for the march on Friday at 12;30 PM the same spot where the rally started. At first the rally/march was greatly outnumbered by the police who were all around the rally area but later as the marched moved out, the protestors grew in numbers.

The Bourgeois Media Marginalizes Rally

As usual, the bourgeois media in their reports underestimated the numbers of the marchers. The ABC 7 News reported the “march of 600 people.”. The KTLA 5 News and Channel 9 News reported the rally “by the hundreds”

Meanwhile some Latino TV media reported commentaries by their commentators on the skepticism of the public about immigration reform but generally showed pictures of the marchers.

Some of the groups that were prominent in the march that mobilized by the hundreds or more than a thousand were the contingents led by the April 7 Coalition/ANSWER, CHIRLA , Immigrantes Unidos/ March 25 Coalition, Union Del Barrio and the CARACEN.

Other smaller groups by tens or more like the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), KIWA, YKU Drummers, People’s CORE, SAN, ISO, World Can’t Wait, and many more were present at the rally/march. They held up their banners, flags, pictures of Elvira Arellano, beat their drums and noise makers and marched with their families.

Prominently absent during the march were the labor groups led by the We Are America Coalition, the MIWON and other mainstream groups.

The march ended at the Los Angeles federal building around 2:30 pm where a program was held while majority of the people dispersed at the end-rally.

*****

Pro-immigrant protest in Los Angeles, August 25, 2007

Pro-immigrant protest in Los Angeles, August 25, 2007

Pro-immigrant protest in Los Angeles, August 25, 2007

Pro-immigrant protest in Los Angeles, August 25, 2007

The arrest of the guys that were stealing food and other needed supplies from the San Diego evacuation center and selling it? I believe they were arrested by immigration. Is this what we can expect if we grant amnesty? I have been fairly open minded to this issue for some time. This just nailed the door shut for me. No Amnesty. I am sure that others now feel the same way.

Pro-immigrant groups want everything yet they get a black eye everytime a occurance like this happens. It does go to the character of the people that the U.S. allows in. If the U.S. can't do background and security checks this is what happens. I find it difficult to support a movement that believes that this behavior is ok. Not one pro-immigrant group has condemed this action. This is a shame. If you read news articles, many are calling for local law enforcement in San Diego to enforce immigration law. Considering this incident, politicians are going to be hard press not to allow law enforcement to do so.