May 1, 2007
Immigration Rallies Planned for Today
Today activists around the country are planning demonstrations supporting immigrantions. You'll recall that last year organizers staged a national boycott to highlight immigrants' contribution to the American economy. In D.C. several demonstrations are slated. The National Immigrant Solidarity Network sponsors a few of the events.
WTOP has a fairly exhaustive list:
A May Day Asian American rally is planned for noon at Taft Memorial Park, north of the Capitol. A hunger strike and rally at Meridian Hill Park, which also is known as Malcolm X Park, is planned starting at 2 p.m.Pro-immigration activists and advocacy groups also have planned a short march aimed at influencing political leaders of both major parties.
They plan to gather near the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee on South Capitol around 2 p.m. for a march to the headquarters building of the Republican National Committee on First Street, Southeast.
4 p.m. rally at Meridian Hill Park in Columbia Heights;
5:30 p.m. rally in front of Alexandria City Hall;
7 p.m. interfaith service at Culmore United Methodist Church in Falls Church
7 p.m. interfaith service at Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Brandywine.
Officials say there are no road closures planned for any of the events, but if enough people turn out for the march between the Democratic and Republican headquarters, we suspect it could slow down afternoon traffic.
Photo by Flickr user maxedaperature.
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re: photo
We are NOT America. We are IN America Illegally.Of course in OUR country it's legal "schmegal". Let's bring that ignorance and disregard for the law to our illegal immigration.
I'm with Chris. After watching both my girlfriend and a very close friend battle it out with immigration for years, spending thousands of dollars on lawyers and processing fees it really annoys me to see people gathering in the streets to protest the expulsion of illegal immigrants. I am completely fine with people coming from other countries to take advantage of opportunities here in the US; what I’m not fine with is the bullying of our lawmakers to make exceptions for those who have blatantly disregarded the law. What message does amnesty for illegals send to those who've struggled with the legal process to gain a visa or green card?
Other famous illegal aliens:
1. Gazoo from the Flintstones.
2. ET
3. Superman (Kal-el)
4. Predator
correction:
The "GREAT" Gazoo
What great logistics. There must be a contest, "how thin can you spread your people?" It's going to look like nobody turned out.
I'm with Chris too. I'm normally a pretty liberal person, but on immigration I'm a Lou Dobbs conservative.
I don't understand protesting a legal action against people who have broken the law. The doors are not open to this country for anyone who wants to be here...there is a process for those who want to enter, albeit a lengthy one, and it's unfair for those who came here legally.
Interesting.. how did you determine their immigration status based on their hands? DHS needs YOU!
It is a symptom of our entitlement society. People actually believe that because people who are here illegally are 'accustomed' to the freedoms and benefits of living and working here, that amnesty should be granted in spite of their law breaking. To me, this is the same logic that is applied to divorcees taking half the breadwinner's money away, regardless of how astronomical that number might be, because she is 'accustomed' to living a certain lifestlye. Same with businesses that try to persuade the government to step in to help sustain their outdated business models rather than adapt or die as capitalism is supposed to require. There is a cultural inertia that makes us afraid of change, and so we sympathize with the potential upheaval of the lives of these people. And by we, I mean someone else, certainly not I, because if we don't have accountability for our laws, we have nothing.
I'd like to feel for these protesters. However, from reading their web page, I'm not too clear on what the problem is. For instance, they oppose:
"empowering local police to enforce immigration law" (shouldn't they be able to do this?)
"the humiliation of tougher background check" (how is a background check humiliating?)
Granted there are some parts of the proposed bill I don't like ($13,500 total to apply for permanent residence?? Is anyone actually going to do that?) I guess I'd be more interested in some sort of specific, concrete, positive suggestion, if there is one.
How can one forget about Alf.....I weep for our future.
Unfortunately the U.S. immigration system is broken and doesn't look anything like what it should. Most of us are here in this country because our ancestors came here in away that would be considered illegal -- the showed up, were processed and moved in. That simple.
Even if you believe that immigration should be a stupid maze (or not a known quantity -- say like in Canada, where immigration is handled efficiently -- before you arrive here) -- it should at least be applied fairly and equally to everyone. Currently the system is about how much lawyer can you afford, what venue can you get this in, etc. etc. -- not unlike our criminal justice system. And what does your contact at BCIS have for breakfast that day. It's a disaster. And we have the right of free assembly. Everyone does, no matter how they are here. I'll be there in spirit (unfortunately I have 3 jobs because my partner is unable to attain legal status. the current system doesn't allow people to sponsor their foreign-born same-sex partners for immigration -- like people can in 18 other countries), so I can't get away from my job.
Groups that represent all ethnic groups are 100% behind immigration reform. It doesn't matter if you are from Poland, Ireland or Colombia -- immigration in this country right now ENCOURAGES illegal immigration. The system is broken.
I hope this immigration debate reveals all the poseur "progressives" and "liberals". Just goes to show, Not In My Backyard syndrome is a universal trait of privileged America, not just so called conservatives.
Tell your Democratic Congressmen to increase the number of H1-B Visas allowed on an annual basis. This is a clear supply and demand issue here. There is a major shortage of labor in this country. And, the reactionary members of both parties refuse to increase the number of legit visas in this country. As a result, every year on April 1 150,000 plus apply for 48,000 slots. This either creates a situation that incentivizes corruption in our Federal government or illegal immigratation issues.
If there is a legit way to get into this country, I might get worked up about the illegals. However, with a drastically low unemployment rate and a Democratic Congress imposing major obstacles - you will have a large influx of illegals.
You know, it's a struggle to get in legally, and it's a struggle to get in illegally; I have no sympathy for visa holders weeping over how they followed the rules, and I have no sympathy for nativists weeping over imagined weeping visa holders. Fair is allowing people who'd like to live, work, and pay taxes in this country the right to do so. Unfair is concocting a byzantine set of rules and applying them irregularly and cruelly.
"Not In My Backyard" is a universal trait of humans. From our early days of tribal warfare to nationalism, we like to protect what is ours no matter how rational or irrational it may be.
"what is ours"
Now that's a contentious claim worth debating.
i love how everybody tries to frame this issue into theoretical discussions on how society's laws are being broken (simply BROKEN i tell you) by these immigrants coming into our country and apparently taking all our jobs and freedoms.
what they don't consider is how these people are coming to this country to better their lives, and in the process, better this country. cite all the negative statistics you want - i, and plenty of my friends, are examples of people that have made this country better. i pay taxes, own a nice car, and obey our laws (except for that occasional speeding ticket...).
i am fully aware of the wonderful opportunities that i was afforded when my parents decided to come to this country and am disgusted that many of you feel it is your God-given right to determine whether others can benefit. just remember, this is a country of immigrants - i don't care if your great-grandpappy o'neill came here legally or not, he came to this country as an IMMIGRANT period, to make a better life and would've probably done what he had do to make it happen. the same goes for my parents and countless others today.
can I move into your apartment to "better my life?" yes this is a country of immigrants. that's NOT the point. The point is the LAW and respect for the NECESSARY restrictions on LEGAL immigration.
chris-
restrictions would make sense if the current LAW (ooh, so imposing in those capital letters) made sense. recognize that this country needs immigrants and accept them accordingly. don't limit them with ridiculous fees for residency. i love your dedication to this country's laws... i'd love to know if you've ever broken one.
and in response to your question - yes, yes you can move into my apartment. nice building (with a doorman!), in upper NW. let me know when you are looking to move in, pal.
Matt-
In response to some of the demands of pro-immigrant groups.
1."empowering local police to enforce immigration law" (shouldn't they be able to do this?)
This would make the undocumented vulnerable to exploitation by law enforcement. Police would be able to deport an undocumented person just for any suspicous activity. Not to mention it would encourage racial profling. Living in fear of law enforcement, udocumented people would be afraid to report crimes to the police, thus jepeordizing their safety and compromising their human rights. Is that we want? People living in fear of calling the police?
It sort of sickens me to see such anti-immigrant sentiment here, out of all websites. For all of you who are anti-immigrant rights, you can check out some terrific, xenophobic literture that is out there for you on these websites:
www.cis.org
www.fairus.org
www.numbersusa.com
I'm sure you'll find their content uplifting.
Ooooh...I love it when the liberal-guilt lefties come to the defense of the great unwashed. Proud to be a Democrat!
Wow- I am coming right over. You better have food in the fridge cause I am bringing 12 of my homeys.