[wanita-muslimah] 500,000 protest immigrant legislation
By: James Sterngold, Chronicle Staff Writer (San Franrisco Chrocile) Los Angeles -- In a mobilization that far exceeded the expectations of organizers, hundreds of thousands of people rallied in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday to protest legislation in Congress that would tighten enforcement against undocumented immigrants and erect more walls along the southern border. The Los Angeles Police Department said an estimated 500,000 people joined the peaceful demonstration, which culminated at City Hall just before noon. Organizers said they believe more than 1 million participated, showing the measure of opposition to legislation that would toughen criminal laws against illegal immigrants and the people who employ them. "We expected to organize our people as a group and march together, but by the time I got there ... it was already impossible to find everybody and pull our people together," said Nativo Lopez, the national president of the Mexican American Political Association. "It was just spontaneous. It was wonderful. This tells you how much support we have." The throng stretched for more than seven blocks, and at City Hall there were speeches from Lopez, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, several members of Congress and state legislators. "I believe there were 2 million people here today, and they sent a very clear message," said state Sen. Gilbert Cedillo, D-Los Angeles. "Immigrants want to work legally, drive legally, study legally. This legislation would criminalize a major part of our population. This rally was an historic moment." Police in Denver, meanwhile, said more than 50,000 people gathered there Saturday to oppose the legislation. The proposal that inspired the protests already has passed in the House of Representatives and is expected to be debated by the Senate this week. It includes strict measures that would make it a felony for immigrants to be in the United States without proper documentation, and it imposes criminal penalties on those who employ illegal immigrants. It would also finance the construction of tall fences along roughly one-third of the U.S.-Mexican border to try to stop illegal crossings. "My mom came from Mexico, she had to cross the river, and thank God she did," said march participant David Gonzalez, 22, who held a sign reading, "I'm in my homeland." In the Bay Area, opponents of the legislation have been holding nightly candlelight vigils and about 20 have been participating in a hunger strike at the Federal Building in downtown San Francisco. About 400 people joined the hunger strikers at a rally Saturday to support reform that would allow legalization for undocumented immigrants. On Monday, organizers expect 1,000 people to protest the legislation in a march from the Federal Building at 11 a.m. down Golden Gate Avenue and Market Street to Sen. Dianne Feinstein's office at 1 Post Street. In his weekly radio address on Saturday, President Bush tried to strike a balance urging tougher border enforcement while offering opportunities for immigrants who want to come to the United States and work temporarily. The president has said he wants new laws creating a guest worker program that would allow immigrants legal status for a period of years, then require them to return to their home countries. "America is a nation of immigrants, and we're also a nation of laws," Bush said. "As we debate the immigration issue, we must remember there are hardworking individuals, doing jobs that Americans will not do, who are contributing to the economic vitality of our country." The enormous rally in Los Angeles, home to one of the nation's largest Latino populations, followed a number of smaller protest marches around the country. On Friday an estimated 20,000 marched in Phoenix in opposition to a bill sponsored by Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., that would increase enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border, while opening a guest worker system that would send the workers home after five years. There were also protests in Georgia against a state law that would deny government services to illegal immigrants. More rallies are planned in other cities in the coming weeks, leading up to what is billed as a "National Day of Action" on April 10, a mass protest being organized by labor, immigration, civil rights and religious groups. Milis Wanita Muslimah Membangun citra wanita muslimah dalam diri, keluarga, maupun masyarakat. Situs Web: http://www.wanita-muslimah.com ARSIP DISKUSI : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wanita-muslimah/messages Kirim Posting mailto:wanita-muslimah@yahoogroups.com Berhenti mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Milis Keluarga Sejahtera mailto:keluarga-sejahtera@yahoogroups.com Milis Anak Muda Islam mailto:majelismuda@yahoogroups.com This mailing list has a special spell casted to reject any attachment Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wanita-muslimah/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROT
[wanita-muslimah] 500,000 protest immigrant legislation
By: James Sterngold, Chronicle Staff Writer (San Franrisco Chrocile) Los Angeles -- In a mobilization that far exceeded the expectations of organizers, hundreds of thousands of people rallied in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday to protest legislation in Congress that would tighten enforcement against undocumented immigrants and erect more walls along the southern border. The Los Angeles Police Department said an estimated 500,000 people joined the peaceful demonstration, which culminated at City Hall just before noon. Organizers said they believe more than 1 million participated, showing the measure of opposition to legislation that would toughen criminal laws against illegal immigrants and the people who employ them. "We expected to organize our people as a group and march together, but by the time I got there ... it was already impossible to find everybody and pull our people together," said Nativo Lopez, the national president of the Mexican American Political Association. "It was just spontaneous. It was wonderful. This tells you how much support we have." The throng stretched for more than seven blocks, and at City Hall there were speeches from Lopez, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, several members of Congress and state legislators. "I believe there were 2 million people here today, and they sent a very clear message," said state Sen. Gilbert Cedillo, D-Los Angeles. "Immigrants want to work legally, drive legally, study legally. This legislation would criminalize a major part of our population. This rally was an historic moment." Police in Denver, meanwhile, said more than 50,000 people gathered there Saturday to oppose the legislation. The proposal that inspired the protests already has passed in the House of Representatives and is expected to be debated by the Senate this week. It includes strict measures that would make it a felony for immigrants to be in the United States without proper documentation, and it imposes criminal penalties on those who employ illegal immigrants. It would also finance the construction of tall fences along roughly one-third of the U.S.-Mexican border to try to stop illegal crossings. "My mom came from Mexico, she had to cross the river, and thank God she did," said march participant David Gonzalez, 22, who held a sign reading, "I'm in my homeland." In the Bay Area, opponents of the legislation have been holding nightly candlelight vigils and about 20 have been participating in a hunger strike at the Federal Building in downtown San Francisco. About 400 people joined the hunger strikers at a rally Saturday to support reform that would allow legalization for undocumented immigrants. On Monday, organizers expect 1,000 people to protest the legislation in a march from the Federal Building at 11 a.m. down Golden Gate Avenue and Market Street to Sen. Dianne Feinstein's office at 1 Post Street. In his weekly radio address on Saturday, President Bush tried to strike a balance urging tougher border enforcement while offering opportunities for immigrants who want to come to the United States and work temporarily. The president has said he wants new laws creating a guest worker program that would allow immigrants legal status for a period of years, then require them to return to their home countries. "America is a nation of immigrants, and we're also a nation of laws," Bush said. "As we debate the immigration issue, we must remember there are hardworking individuals, doing jobs that Americans will not do, who are contributing to the economic vitality of our country." The enormous rally in Los Angeles, home to one of the nation's largest Latino populations, followed a number of smaller protest marches around the country. On Friday an estimated 20,000 marched in Phoenix in opposition to a bill sponsored by Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., that would increase enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border, while opening a guest worker system that would send the workers home after five years. There were also protests in Georgia against a state law that would deny government services to illegal immigrants. More rallies are planned in other cities in the coming weeks, leading up to what is billed as a "National Day of Action" on April 10, a mass protest being organized by labor, immigration, civil rights and religious groups. Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ~--> Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/aYWolB/TM ~-> Milis Wanita Muslimah Membangun citra wanita muslimah dalam diri, keluarga, maupun masyarakat. Situs Web: http://www.wanita-muslimah.com ARSIP DISKUSI : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wanita-muslimah/messages Kirim Posting mailto:wanita-muslimah@yahoogroups.com Berhenti mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Milis Keluarga Sejahtera mailto:keluarga-sejahtera@yahoogroups.com Milis Anak Muda Islam mailto:majeli
