Immigration Rally's Low Turnout Disappoints Advocates

[derekkj 0]

Immigration Rally's Low Turnout Disappoints Advocates

Fear of Blacklash, Mixed Messages, Timing Are Cited

By Darryl Fears and N.C. Aizenman

Washington Post Staff Writers

Friday, September 8, 2006; Page A06

A pro-immigration rally that promised to bring tens of thousands of marchers from across the nation to Washington yesterday managed to draw only a paltry number of demonstrators, raising questions about the movement's tactics and staying power.

With fewer than 5,000 people attending, organizers from other localities expressed two worries about the turnout: that they were losing the momentum built up by the huge marches in the spring, and that the movement's national organizers in Washington have lost touch with the people.

"I could have told you last week that there would not be that many people," said Ricardo Diaz, an organizer for A Day Without an Immigrant Coalition in Philadelphia. "Our meetings were low-energy."

Diaz said that the movement has failed to achieve any gains in Congress since the initial marches and that the people who attended them are disappointed.

"What did we have that was new?" he asked. "Why were we doing this?"

The We Are America Alliance of immigration rights groups billed the march as a post-Labor Day demonstration to show Congress that undocumented workers still want an immigration reform bill that would allow them to work in the country legally.

But, in contrast to spring's huge rallies -- which brought an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 people to the streets of Washington, and even larger turnouts in Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix and Chicago -- yesterday's march was the latest in a string of protests that drew paltry crowds in the past week.

In anticipation of a crush of people, Metro had planned to start its rush-hour service an hour early, at 2 p.m. But by early afternoon, "there were not enough people in the system" to warrant the extra rush-hour service, and none was added, spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said.

Fifteen minutes before the march was scheduled to begin, only a few hundred demonstrators were milling before the stage.

Despite the poor showing, Deepak Bhargaba, executive director of the Center for Community Change, which helps fund and organize the alliance, said yesterday's march was important because it propelled the movement forward.

"I will say honestly that we continue to be amazed that people come by the thousands in spite of raids against immigrants," he said. "This was done without a lot of money and with a whole lot of guts."

It was also done in a climate that has markedly changed since spring.

In the four months since the first marches, competing immigration bills have stalled in the House and the Senate.

The House bill, favored by opponents of illegal immigration, would force undocumented workers currently in the country to return home before being allowed to work. The Senate bill would permit illegal immigrants to pay a fine and gain permission to work.

House Republican leaders made it clear yesterday that they are not about to move forward with any immigration measure that includes a guest worker provision or avenues for undocumented workers to find lawful employment and citizenship. They prefer smaller provisions that would fund border fences, surveillance equipment and tamper-proof identification cards.

"We're at war, and we need to act like it," House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) said. "We need to close the borders."

State legislatures, county boards and city governments throughout the country have ratcheted up enforcement this year, enacting measures that restrict illegal immigration and entering into agreements that allow local authorities to arrest illegal immigrants.

Advocates who want to limit legal immigration and clamp down on illegal immigration cheered yesterday's rally turnout.

"The attempt to recreate the atmosphere in the spring has completely failed because the illegal aliens and their supporters have gotten the message that the American people aren't going to roll over for this amnesty bill," said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, referring to the Senate legislation.

Grace Rivera-Oven, 37, a Germantown resident who attended the rally in April but stayed home this time, said she fears that the movement has lost some of its momentum, noting that none of the roughly 40 friends with whom she attended the April event planned to go this time.

"I just think people are a little disappointed. Politically, it doesn't seem like we've made a dent" since the previous rally, Rivera-Oven said.

Clara Sabogal, 47, who left Miami early Wednesday and slept in her car at a Virginia rest stop en route to Washington, said she is not surprised that not many people attended yesterday's rally, given the backlash.

"People are afraid," she said. "They've been listening to the news, and they don't want to leave home. Even employers are cracking down."

Janet Murguia, president and chief executive of the National Council of La Raza, the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights organization, said the movement is of two minds.

"I think there have been a lot of mixed messages in the community," she said. "You have people who want to concentrate on marches, and other people who want to concentrate on voter mobilization and education in their communities."

Rick Swartz, an immigration rights advocate, said the timing of yesterday's rally was also at fault.

"It's a Thursday," he said. "People work. Even immigrants have lives."

Staff writers Ernesto Londoño, Allison Klein, Joshua Partlow, Nick Miroff, Karin Brulliard and Tom Jackman contributed to this report.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...247.html?sub=AR

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

"People are afraid," she said.

If by 'people' they mean illegal aliens... then good. They should be.

[Mirorgate 0]

I have no problem with immigration. done the correct way according to the laws established. true those need to be worked on, but it is done by citizens here of this country.... not illegal representation of other nationals here to dictate that.

[type2negative 0]

I have no problem with immigration. done the correct way according to the laws established. true those need to be worked on, but it is done by citizens here of this country.... not illegal representation of other nationals here to dictate that.

Hey Stop being a racist. We are Building a house!!!!!!!!! Yes. A BIG Casa!

[garya505 2]

As long as they keep asking for special favors for people who break the law by sneaking across the border they aren't going to get much support.

[Marc and Olga 0]

As long as they keep asking for special favors for people who break the law by sneaking across the border they aren't going to get much support.

Watch it, those are not the ONLY illegal immigrants, that are many that came here legally but have overstayed!

Other then that point, I agree they need to make the distinction that this is NOT an immigration issue but an ILLEGAL immigrantion issue.

For them to want their percieved rights is like a bank robber/mass murderer/terrorist (stir stir stir) saying "hey, I'm a human, I deserve to be free!"

[type2negative 0]

As long as they keep asking for special favors for people who break the law by sneaking across the border they aren't going to get much support.

Watch it, those are not the ONLY illegal immigrants, that are many that came here legally but have overstayed!

Other then that point, I agree they need to make the distinction that this is NOT an immigration issue but an ILLEGAL immigrantion issue.

For them to want their percieved rights is like a bank robber/mass murderer/terrorist (stir stir stir) saying "hey, I'm a human, I deserve to be free!"

And he really does...........In a global, Human way of thinking.... We need to think broader.

[Traviesa 0]

I can't believe all this is still going on. Thought it was dead and gone. Only thing I liked about this bill anyway was the family unity section, which would have spared us from having to file the I-601 (instead we would pay $2,000 and file the I-212 only) which would mean maybe Javier would be home in 2008 instead of 2009, but I doubt it will ever happen...

[Dr_LHA 3]

The most annoying thing about this is the language. Illegal immigrants are referred to as "immigrants", whereas people like you and I are "aliens".

Don't get me started on the "Legalize the Irish" campaign as well.

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

[if by 'people' they mean illegal aliens... then good. They should be.

I agree! Criminal Activity " Illegal Immigration" should not go un punished & Criminal Illegal Border crossers should NOT be given any leniancy or amnesty instead they should return to where they entered illegally and be required to apply for legal entry then AOS upon legal entry.

NO benefits should be given to illegal criminals who enter the USA illegally & work illegally, NOT 1 dime of federal or state aid with exception of emergency Health Care,

[Sister Fracas 5]

I have no problem with immigration. done the correct way according to the laws established. true those need to be worked on, but it is done by citizens here of this country.... not illegal representation of other nationals here to dictate that.

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

USC children of Illegal Immigrants should be banned from petitioning their illegal parents this would eliinate the state dependent Anchor baby families, who cross illegally without inspection, have babies get free health care prenatal ect.. and take advanatge of state benefits such as education and health care and then wiat for their USC children to turn 18 and petition for their parents who spent the last 18 years of their childrens lives stealing form the Legal Residents of America.

This issue hits nerve with me, after all the money we have spent & numerous of our friends & most people on here going through the same process spending months away from their So and surviving on limited income with only one working ( USC ) parent . To think that Federal criminals who enter the country illegally steal from legal residents, commit crimes, work illegally and fail to pay federal taxes, drive illegally, Take away from Health care and education of those who deserve it and need it and expect to just be given amensty, a free ticket with no recourse. BS!

I say reform would be the federal Govt. renting a fleet of busses and taking a beautiful scenic drive to what ever border these slags crossed illegally from!

Ok I am off my soap box.

[Dr_LHA 3]

I feel your pain Addie. I almost threw a brick at my TV when some politician from Florida was suggesting that we should give Citizenship to any illegal aliens who had been in the USA for more than 5 years.

I've been here almost 8 years *legally*, I didn't hear anyone talking about giving me citizenship automatically.

[Marc and Olga 0]

[if by 'people' they mean illegal aliens... then good. They should be.

I agree! Criminal Activity " Illegal Immigration" should not go un punished & Criminal Illegal Border crossers should NOT be given any leniancy or amnesty instead they should return to where they entered illegally and be required to apply for legal entry then AOS upon legal entry.

NO benefits should be given to illegal criminals who enter the USA illegally & work illegally, NOT 1 dime of federal or state aid with exception of emergency Health Care,

I agree with the spirit of your post!

Furthermore, illegal immigrants (criminals) should NOT be allowed to open bank accounts, get loans, or purchase houses in the USA.

I read a story not too long ago about an illegal couple from Mexico that had acquired a loan to purchase a house...talk about laughing at the US immigration laws...

one story

and another

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

Watch it, those are not the ONLY illegal immigrants, that are many that came here legally but have overstayed!

Other then that point, I agree they need to make the distinction that this is NOT an immigration issue but an ILLEGAL immigrantion issue.

Those who entered the country with inspection are not by federal definition Illegal immigrants, there are many cirumstances why people overstay some have family or health emergencies, ect..

Crossing the border illegally is different. Those who enter by sneaking over the border evading inspection,

Are Knowingly with intention commiting a FEDERAL CRIME! Their first ACT on American Soil is that of defiance, they should not be allowed any benefits or leniancy, majority of these illegal border crossers continue to commit crimes once on American soil, including violent crimes and crimes involving drugs,

look at the latest story involving an Illegal Drug smuggler who got away after an attempted arrest by broder patrol, who shot him in the ####### after he pointed an object at them. Now he is free given free medical care and the Border Agents are being charged criminally for doing their Job, they face 20 years in prison and An illegal Drug smuggler ( Child killer) goes free ?????

Agent Ramos risked his life defending us when he shot an illegal alien drug smuggler in the backside while patroling our border.

Ignacio “Nacho” Ramos is facing twenty years in prison, while the drug dealer he pursued gets immunity from his crimes.

Ramos, 37, and Compean, 30, are set to be sentenced next month for shooting Aldrete-Davila, a Mexican citizen, on Feb. 17, 2005, in the small town of Fabens, Texas, about 40 miles southeast of El Paso. Ramos said Aldrete-Davila pointed what he believed to be a gun at him. Ramos fired one shot. He did not know the single shot hit Aldrete-Davila in the buttocks because the smuggler kept running and disappeared into the brush along the Rio Grande.

Aldrete-Davila was later seen by agents at the scene getting into a van on the Mexican side of the border. He left behind a van filled with nearly 800 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $1 million. The U.S. Attorney's Office gave Aldrete-Davila immunity and free medical care at William Beaumont Army Medical Center for his testimony against the agents.

What has thE USC legal system come to, when our own border patrol agents can't not do their job with out feer of prosecution by our own legal system they defend!