posted April 28, 2006 12:57 PM            

Apr 27, 8:22 PM (ET)

By Dan Whitcomb

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pro-immigration activists say a national boycott and marches planned for May 1 will flood America's streets with millions of Latinos to demand amnesty for illegal immigrants and shake the ground under Congress as it debates reform.

Such a massive turnout could make for the largest protests since the civil rights era of the 1960s, though not all Latinos were comfortable with such militancy, fearing a backlash in Middle America.

"There will be 2 to 3 million people hitting the streets in Los Angeles alone. We're going to close down Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Tucson, Phoenix, Fresno," said Jorge Rodriguez, a union official who helped organize earlier rallies credited with rattling Congress as it weighs the issue.

Immigration has split Congress, the Republican Party and public opinion. Conservatives want the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants returned to Mexico and a fence built along the border.

Others, including President George W. Bush, want a guest-worker program and a path to citizenship. Most agree some reform is needed to stem the flow of poor to the world's biggest economy.

"We want full amnesty, full legalization for anybody who is here (illegally)," Rodriguez said. "That is the message that is going to be played out across the country on May 1."

Organizers have timed the action for May Day, a date when workers around the world often march for improved conditions, and have strong support from big labor and the Roman Catholic church. They vow that America's major cities will grind to a halt and its economy will stagger as Latinos walk off their jobs and skip school.

In California on Thursday, the state senate passed a resolution recognizing "The Great American Boycott of 2006," saying it would educate the United States about the contributions made by immigrants. The measure passed 24-13 along party lines with dissenting Republicans arguing that it sanctioned lawbreaking and encouraged children to skip school.

Teachers' unions in major cities have said children should not be punished for walking out of class. Los Angeles school officials said principals had been told that they should allow students to leave but walk with them to help keep order.

In Chicago, Catholic priests have helped organize protests, sending information to all 375 parishes in the archdiocese.

CRITICS CHARGE INTIMIDATION

Chicago activists predict that the demonstrations will draw 300,000 people.

In New York, leaders of the May 1 Coalition said a growing number of businesses had pledged to close and allow their workers to attend a rally in Manhattan's Union Square.

Large U.S. meat processors, including Cargill Inc., Tyson Foods Inc and Seaboard Corp said they will close plants due to the planned rallies.

Critics accuse pro-immigrant leaders of bullying Congress and stirring up uninformed young Latinos by telling them that their parents were in imminent danger of being deported.

"It's intimidation when a million people march down main streets in our major cities under the Mexican flag," said Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman volunteer border patrol group. "This will backfire," he said.

Some Latinos have also expressed concerns that the boycott and marches could stir up anti-immigrant sentiment.

Cardinal Roger Mahony of the Los Angeles archdiocese, an outspoken champion of immigrant rights, has lobbied against a walkout. "Go to work, go to school, and then join thousands of us at a major rally afterward," Mahony said.

And Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has long fought for immigrant rights, has said he expects protesters to be "lawful and respectful" and children to stay in school.

In Washington on Thursday, immigrant-rights activists brushed off talk of a backlash.

"This is going to be really big. We're going to have millions of people," said Juan Jose Gutierrez, director of the Latino Movement USA. "We are not concerned at all. We believe it's possible for Congress to get the message that the time to act is now."

(Additional reporting by Aarthi Sivaraman in Los Angeles, Dan Trotta in New York and Michael Conlon in Chicago)

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This does nothing to build positive relations with legal citizens and the movement of total amnesty for illegal immigrants. Personally, I believe there is going to be a serious backlash because of this and the illegals are going to be less tolerated by border communities and citizens tired of footing the insurance, education and welfare bill.

posted April 28, 2006 10:01 PM            

Some kinds of "guest" workers. How would they like guests who come into their home without asking and then tell the owners that they're staying permanently?

posted April 28, 2006 10:26 PM              

quote:

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How would they like guests who come into their home without asking and then tell the owners that they're staying permanently?

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Johnny...you know I have to say this...that is a very ironic question.

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And, DayDreamer, if you want to get historical, Mexico forged its borders through war, also.

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posted April 29, 2006 12:23 AM            

Are you aware of how Mexico treats its illegal immigrants, DayDreamer? Mexico recieves plenty of illegal immigrants from Central American nations, you know. Before you start talking as though Americans are the hypocrites in all this, you might want to look into it.

posted April 29, 2006 12:30 AM            

Do you think a one-world state would be better, taking into consideration the current state of the world?

posted April 29, 2006 12:38 AM              

and Johnny..I owe you ..an apology..for previous malices on my part..I am sorry..for the way I treated you..I'm still learning..

posted April 29, 2006 12:52 AM            

Regardless, I would like to return the gracious gesture by apologizing for my harsher words as well.

I agree with you that borders are an illusion, and that we create this world. I think it is a good idea to keep that big picture in mind, but I also think it's important to keep an eye on the smaller pictures, as well. Mexico has an entirely different culture from the US, complete with laws, language, and major problems that will only be worsened if we abolish our boundary with them, like they would have us do. It would drag America down and do little to help Mexico. It's just not a good solution, I don't think.

And it's so hypocritical for Mexico to call for us to open the border, considering that Mexican border patrol are authorized to shoot illegals from Honduras on sight! Mexico has no problem sending their poor and unemployed here, though - it helps alleviate their social ills.

posted April 29, 2006 07:47 PM              

There have been several articles about this in my local newspaper. Many shop owners said they felt intimidated by the protest organizers to close for fear of losing customers or even vandalism. On the other hand, many of them are 100% behind the protest. One woman said that those who oppose illegal immigration "don't have God in the hearts".

huh? How did we get to the point where non-citizens dictate the law to citizens? Are we so lost?