LA Immigration March Was A Huge Success

Sí se puede!!!

Work wouldn’t let me have the day off, but I really wanted to go! I’m so glad that so many people showed up to support those who don’t have a voice. Yay!

Via KFMB Channel 8:

Tens of thousands of demonstrators galvanized by opposition to Arizona’s tough law marched through the streets of downtown Los Angeles to demand an overhaul of immigration laws, some holding signs calling for a boycott of the Grand Canyon State.

Singer Gloria Estefan kicked off the march by climbing on a flatbed truck to say that illegal immigrants should not be considered criminals. She said the United States was a nation of immigrants.

“We’re honest people, we’re good people,” the Cuban-born singer said. “We’ve given a lot to this country. This country has given a lot to us.”

Cardinal Roger Mahony stood on the truck and joined the crowd in chanting, “Si, se puede,” or “Yes, we can,” in Spanish. Streets and sidewalks were packed with tens of thousands of people as horns blared.

The march ended nearly five hours later after a steady stream of politicians and labor leaders stepped on stage on a perfect spring afternoon to denounce the Arizona law and insist that President Barack Obama tackle immigration reform.

“We say no to Arizona, no to racism, no to hate,” said Janice Hahn, a Los Angeles city councilwoman and Democratic candidate for California lieutenant governor.

Police officials estimated about 50,000 demonstrators took to the streets at the rally’s peak in the early afternoon.

To read more, click here.

Sí se puede!!! Sí se puede!!! Sí se puede!!! Sí se puede!!!

San Diego Rally Against the Arizona Immigration Law

You suck!

How did I miss this?? I’ll have to go to the next one. There was this protest against racist Arizona and I had the day off. I really need to monitor Twitter more. Bah.

Via Examiner Phoenix:

About 40 people gathered at a rally in downtown San Diego voicing their dissenting view on the tough new Arizona illegal immigration issue signed into law on Friday.

Police on the scene commented that there were more media trucks and law enforcement at the “Boycott Arizona” evening rally than actual rally supporters. One of the officers on duty said, “Media must have been hoping there would be a large number of protesters like we had during the 2006 failed amnesty push.”

Approximately seven media trucks, seven police cars and SUVs, two fire trucks and one ambulance lined the street in front on the federal building along Front Street. There were no reports of any arrests and protesters were able to get their message out with only one counter-protester on the sidelines.

Rally attendees listened to speakers in English and Spanish talk about how racist Arizona’s new law is and the need to show support for the immigrant population throughout the country.

Many signs and Mexican flags sprinkled the crowd and the lone American flag captured the attention of passerby’s as there were many more Mexican flags waving in the air. Folks leaving the building after a long day at work didn’t appreciate the blatant disrespect for the American flag. “Why not support Americans?” asked John Leary of San Diego.

As far as the supporters point of view the rally was a chance to support the Latinos in the country, legally or illegally.

“I support Hispanic immigrants around the country and in Arizona. Because laws in other states affect us we need to make sure illegal immigrants liberties are not violated. I believe this new law infringes on the 4th Amendment and will lead to racial profiling,” said Leo Carrillo of San Diego. “This isn’t my first rally I have been to before and it’s important to let people know I support them.”

While there was only one counter-protester on the sidewalk, many people in cars driving by shouted “No amnesty, go home,” and there were cars that simply honked in support of illegal immigrants.

One thing is clear – this debate is not over.

I will never go to Arizona. Ever.