IMMIGRANT RIGHTS GROUP STEPS UP RALLIES FOR AMNESTY AND LEGALIZATION

by Coalition in Defense of Immigrant Rights Wednesday, Sep. 06, 2006 at 3:30 AM

Immigrant Rights Groups Steps Up Rallies for Amnesty and Legalization

Los Angeles—Different Immigrant rights groups and coalitions stepped up their mass actions to force the US Congress to enact laws that will give amnesty and full rights to more than 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

From September 2, 2005 different mass actions were held all over California and other parts of the United States like Seattle, Phoenix, Arizona, Chicago and other states during the long Labor Day weekend. Labor groups, anti wart and other progressive groups together with the immigrant rights advocates banded together to push the people’s agenda.

- Last September 2, in Los Angeles, at least 3,000 immigrant and advocated marched from Olympic and Broadway to City Hall to demand legalization and support the struggle of Elvira Arellano, a single mother not to be deported in Chicago. The march was led by the Los Angeles based March 25 Coalition. Though smaller in numbers unlike the mobilizations from March to May this year, the mass actions can be considered a muscle flexing for bigger rallies in the offing.

- September 4, more than 8,000 marchers led by the Bay Area Unity Coalition for Immigrant Rights in the USA marched from the Justin Herman Plaza to the Civic Center in San Francisco and held a rally for immigrant rights. The AJLPP Bay Area figured prominently with the Deporte dela Migra and other Filipino American organizations.

- September 4, apparently without respect for unions or workers, a handful of minutemen attempted to invade and disrupt the annual Union Labor Day picnic and festival at Banning Park, Willmington. California. At about 12:15, about a dozen minutemen with signs managed to get about a hundred feet into the park before they were confronted by a couple of hundred union members. Coincidentally, as they approached, the SEIU speaker was talking about the "most vulnerable" workers, those who work for less than minimum wage without union protection. As the words "cazamigrantes" and "minutemen" spread through the park and the crowd grew, the police and union workers intervened to move the minutemen out of the park. By 12:30, the minutemen had re-assembled across the street and protested unnoticed for the rest of the celebration.

The family fiesta, with classic cars and classic rock, speakers, and booths for IWW, UTLA, CNA, SEIU, Teamsters, and today's heroes, the EAA, continued without incident. They were joined by numerous organizations supporting the workers' struggle, including ANSWER-LA, Radical Women, the International Socialist Organization, and the Peace and Freedom Party.

Cardinal Mahony Calls for Amnesty and Legalization

Los Angeles Roman Catholic Church Cardinal Roger Mahony called for “ the enactment of humane and just laws for 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States” during his homily in the Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral last Sunday’s mass for the September 4 Labor Day.

He called on the US Congress not to play politics and play with the lives of millions of “working and honest people” in the country. He blamed Congress for not acting with dispatch and enact laws for the poor and the workers. He said: “Congress in to blame for not enacting laws during the 1986 amnesty that led to this mess.”

Cardinal Mahony was a prominent advocate for immigrant rights. He opposed the unjust HR 4437 and promised to defy the bill if it becomes a law. The HR 4437 is still up in the air with a now version in the Senate, the SB 2611 or the Comprehensive Immigrant Reform Act that all immigrant rights organization opposes.

Bigger mass actions are slated in Los Angeles on September 9 after the national congress of Latino organizations called Congreso de la Raza (Congress of the Race) to be held from September 6 to 9 in Los Angeles. The big mobilization will be held in Chinatown.

The labor unions connected with the Win to Change Coalition, the County Federation of Labor, the Coalition in Defense of Immigrant Rights (CDIR) and MIWON will be mobilizing for this mass action.

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It pretty much lost its steam. Polls now show some 71% of the nation against illegal and legal immigration.

These numbers are not being ignored by the powers that be. Reductions in the current level of legal immigration are being considered and enforcement of current laws may take on a more aggressive stance in the months leading up to the election. Just thought you should know.

DO u have any facts stating that claim?

The poll that Washington is paying attention to is the one that was commissioned by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research firm. To some it up it links U.S. terrorist fears with immigration both legal and illegal.

Both parties know that when trends tend to favor a super majority (71% vs, 29%) view that there jobs are on the line. Thats bad news for any hopes of reform in this session or the coming sessions of congress.

Right or wrong, its the publics perception that motivates politicians this time of year. Bush's defence on the Iraq war and the war on terror drives these fears or public perceptions. It crosses party lines.

Snipet:

"The poll found 71 percent of people believe illegal immigration poses a threat to the country, and 31 percent of those people think the biggest threat from illegal immigrants is terrorism. More than half -- 56 percent -- said they are more aware of people from foreign countries. "

Since the events of 9/11, Americans have been appropriately concerned about the ability of foreign nationals from countries with known al-Qaida presence to leverage Mexican organized crime capabilities to enter the U.S. undetected,"

The politicians know they can't have it both ways and it puts them in a sort of quagmire..

Why I say there will be more aggressive enforcement leading up to the elections is that budget negotiations are in progress. Pet projects for many politicians are at stake including the Presidents. The scratch your back mentality always comes into play this time of year. Some powerful encumbants need to demonstrate some successes of enforcement. This however, may or may not occur. It depends on the negotiations. Still, the poll is being taken serious

Lets just say a very close relative is a Washington insider and this discussion topic has came up more than once. I also might add that Washington, based on my discussions with this relative, is in its own little world and for the most part, out of touch with reality.

Just thought you should know

-Since the events of 9/11, Americans have been appropriately concerned about the ability of foreign nationals from countries with known al-Qaida presence to leverage Mexican organized crime capabilities to enter the U.S. undetected," -

that the boogieman of al CIAduh doesn't hold that much weight with people who are informed about deep politics and events.

The major stick is the pitting of low cost labor against lowest cost labor.I suppose we should be concerned about al CIAduh since they are responsible for the economic warfare and its refugees.

We should not be afraid to look the beast in the eyes.

Snipet from Bloomberg.com

"Lawmakers returning to Washington this week said immigration legislation -- Bush's top domestic priority -- is doomed for 2006. House Republicans say that a Senate measure backed by Bush to create a guest-worker program is unacceptable to their party's core constituency; they say a get-tough-on-immigration message will raise voter turnout among their supporters and help them avoid a debacle in the Nov. 7 congressional elections."

So it is possible that enforcement may become more agressive up to the election. Politicians.....who needs them.

Well, the tv news pretty much went for the whole "Mexicans = Al Qaeda" farce. More proof that television news is shit.

This whole progression into racism is putting some historical events in real perspective...

I didn't realize that it was from a right wing site. It's still got good information, though.

I guess it just shows - not all right wing conservatives support racism... if they're not white, and the racism is directed at them.

The bottom line (like it or not) is that Congress is listening to the public and will not do anything that is perceived as amnesty. Public opinion is against legal and illegal immigration (at least at the present time). The reality has little to do with the migrants and more to do with the fact that the 9/11 terrorist were able to circumvent immigration laws in a number of ways. From visa over stayers. student visas, visa waivers, etc. The public knows the system is flawed. Further, the public perceives illegal immigration as a threat to there security. This coupled with low approval ratings of Congress will prompt Congress to act on enforcement and border security issues only. Also, as a reaction to the voter registration drive many are now organizing, the Congress hopes to enact a voter verification system of some sort.

Who is to blame? Many will point to members of Congress but put the blame where it lives. Congress is supposed to represent the public especially when it comes down to domestic issues. If the above poll numbers are correct then Congress is engaged in what the majority of people want. Like it or not, this is the way this country is supposed to operate even though it seldom does.

"9/11 terrorist were able to circumvent immigration laws in a number of ways."

> Mostly w/assistance from the intelligence community.<

Alleged Hijackers May Have Trained at U.S. Bases

The Pentagon has turned over military records on five men to the FBI

http://www.wanttoknow.info/010915newsweek

By George Wehrfritz, Catharine Skipp and John Barry

NEWSWEEK

Theories are abound. I have watched the video where it looks like the twin towers were a controlled demolition. I am not an engineer nor do I completely understand the forces involved. What I do know is that two different planes hit the towers. Both towers fell. Video of the alleged hijackers were taken prior to them boarding the planes. Audio from air traffic controllers of the hijackers voices were recorded. Osama Bin Laden accepted responsibility.

What does conspiracy theories have to do with immigration? Google the news on immigration. The only thing coming out of Washington is border security and enforcement only rhetoric. The Senate is silent except for Frist saying compromise is impossible now.

The House can very easily slip HR 4437 as a rider on any appropriation or budget bill it wants. The House controls spending not the Senate. The Senate can do the same but the House has the final say. The Senate will never put S 2611 as a rider to the budget knowing the budget will never pass the House. This would deadlock the 2007 budget. But with the polls suggesting a 71% approval for immigration enforcement HR 4437 can ride on the budget. and the President will have no choice but to sign it. How does the President explain to the senior citizens that they are not recieving there SSN payments because the House attached an immigration enforcement only bill to the budget and he had to veto it? You want to see it hit the fan? That would do it.

let's weave this together.

-Video of the alleged hijackers were taken prior to them boarding the planes. -

Actually this is a myth because the FBI has admitted that there is no *valid* evidence to link anybody to anything. More flaws in the 'video' perhaps"

Now step back here and let's look at the big picture. Do you think the individuals who burnt off thousands of people on 9-11 are different from the ones who forced NAFTA CAFTA etc down our throats and perpetuate myths like '19 savage arabs'?

Same command and control centers of wealth.

Some would love to cover this over, however.