Business joins May Day cry for immigration reform in L.A.

Immigrant workers are marching in downtown Los Angeles today, backed by powerful allies including the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and local political figures. They are all calling for an end to raids on work sites where illegal immigrants are employed.

"This is a landmark moment," said Samuel Garrison, the chamber's vice president of public policy. "Here you have labor, business, local elected officials, immigrant rights activists and leading educators all coming together to say this has to stop."

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Photo: Raul Martinez, 33, of Los Angeles holds on to his daughter Diana Martinez, 4, as they wait for the beginning of the International Workers Day immigration rights march through downtown Los Angeles. Credit: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[sheval sheshe]

You people in California are always complaining about illegal aliens. Why don't you boycott the city and state? Don't spend your money and the city will be in your hands like putty. I used to live in that thirdworld-city and am so glad that I left years ago. I will never even visit there again - unless it gets cleaned up.

[sheval sheshe]

You people in California are always complaining about illegal aliens. Why don't you boycott the city and state? Don't spend your money and the city will be in your hands like putty. I used to live in that thirdworld-city and am so glad that I left years ago. I will never even visit there again - unless it gets cleaned up.

[Benderj]

You citizens in Los Angeles always complain about illegal immigrants over-running your city and state; however, you do nothing about standing up to this problem. YOU should be the ones marching in the streets and protesting by large numbers. Instead, you have people who are there illegally marching in your streets about THEIR American rights. That's really messed up. Why don't you boycott all services produced by illegals - stop spending your money! Then the rest of the world will know that you are serious about your "problem". Put up or shut up. You say that you are tired of them, but you do not ACT like you are tired of them. That's why the rest of us are tired of hearing you cry.

[Malby]

These demostrators were seeking AMNESTy, not immigration "reform." True reform would include forcing the government to deport the 15-20 million illegal immigrants while allowing some of the millions of lawful immigration applicants to have their applications accepted and processed. Why do we have to absorb millions of poor, uneducated and unskilled primarily Latin American illegals when there are educated and trained people from other countries eager to migrate? More important, where are we going to put the additional people that uncontrolled immigration will be adding to our already 300+ million residents? Housing, schools, roads, health care--why is population "growth" even considered a plus?

[ivan]

Dear Billy Bob,
A comprehensive immigration reform is inevitable! You lost!

[34wfgrasfg]

I don't see why such overwhelmingly peaceful, joyful demonstrations cause so much hatred in people. The haters are the real aggressors.

[Hernandez, proud US]

Sorry, but these are illegal aliens and have NO legal rights here in the USA.

At this point the 20 million aliens are an invasion force to take control of this mighty nation and turn it into a third world country.

FYI: Being called an American does not mean you are WHITE! We have the great fortune of having have every RACE and creed living as American Citizens.

The Racist are the Latino organizations (Latino Pew, La Raza, and the LA City Council) are demanding we change everything about this country to make it more like the countries these illegals are coming from. Pushing all non-Latinos out of LA and California.

Blacks and Asians are feeling the most pressure from the LA council to change or move out.

We Americans are happy for LEGAL immigration to this country, because those people will learn our history, language, culture and will respect it.

We American will NEVER tolerate "illegal Aliens" and the Business's that profit from them.

ICE, please continue your WORK cracking down the illegals and the Business's that hire them. Send them home with the Entire Family intact.

[MB]

The woman who was in the chicago church for a year and then deported is the poster child for what is wrong with the US immigration system and why America is evil.

The fact is she choose to have a child while here illegally and then leave him here to claim she was 'seperated' from him.

She also had been here for 14 years AND STILL DID NOT SPEAK ENGLISH.

she is a poster child all right....for the arrogance of illegal immigrants and their supporters.

[janice colbert washington]

Why were there not any marching band units from Roosevelt or Garfield High Schools at the May Day parade?

The event would have been more fun. I could have worn my old drill-team and cheerleading uniforms.

I haven't used my pon-poms in years.

[skulldugger]

Once again, immigrants' rights are being confused with illegal immigrants. My wife is an immigrant. Her cousin is an ILLEGAL immigrant who she recently convinced to return to Salvador (to his wife and children - what a concept!). These two types of foreginers are not the same, and those who think they are should go back to the country they left.

[bill]

The only thing that should happen is that the illegals need to be rounded up sent home and the businesses that hired them to have multi million dollar fines and the CEOs put in jail. As a taxpayer iam tired of my money going to pay for these illegals. We need to have a round up just like we did in WW II, build a 40ft high wall around the US

[SimpleRep]

P.S.

There is nothing wrong with waving the flag of your 'home' country along with the stars and stripes.

Given the psychological and delicate symbol of the event, one must ask him/herself, "is it wise?"

Again, I am ALL for amnesty for ALL the undocumented workers. All I'm saying is be "wise". Nothing is guaranteed, but always know the players.

[PR from PR]

Today is the day we celebrate workers around the world, and protesting against failed policies like current US Immigration policy is a great way to get the message heard. Thankfully this year's demonstrations didn't turn out violent instigated by the police like last year. Viva la revolution!

[vicente]

Of course business wants them. All they care is for cheap labor. Screw the chamber of commerce. Traitors.

[SimpleRep]

Dear Latinos,

I want the undocumented workers to stay as much as anyone who feels like me.

That old cliche "You can attract more bees with honey than with vinegar" comes to my mind.

The good book states that "all things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient." You have a "right" to protest your humane concerns, it is just "how" one is protesting baffles the American people.

Why oh why, in making a plea, would you raise and fly a flag other than the Stars and Stripes?

Any little notion or reminder of "reconquista" just does not melt the hearts of the majority of the American populace. In fact, it fuels the fire that is ALREADY there!

I'm all for amnesty and the rights of people who sincerely want to better themselves. BUT, know the players, understand the game, THEN make a plea!

The Anglo-Latino fabric is different from past immigrant circumstances. It has a very complex historical fabric that has negatively embraced the hearts of the peoples on both sides of the border. That really needs to be understood.

A conquerer knows what 'another' conquerer looks like. As does an appreciative friend knows another individual who exercises forgiveness and dignity.

I just don't get it!

[chanchito]

Our current immigration laws allow for separation of families, the violation of human rights, and unchecked racism, discrimination and xenophobia. Our laws are broken. We're in dire need of comprehensive immigration reform that allows for humane treatment of all people in our country with laws that are just and fair.

[Millie]

Why call them immigrants? They are illegals. They are breaking the laws of the United States. If a U.S. citizen breaks the law in this country, he/she is held accountable. The illegals should also be held accountable. The laws of foreign countries are to be obeyed by people visiting from the U.S.; otherwise, we are held accountable. Look at the all the U.S. citizens in jails in Mexico who forgot they had a shot gun or shells in their vehicles; it takes lots of money (payoffs) and lots of jail time before their release. Why are we so very solt when they break out laws? Remember, they are here illegally; they are not immigrants

[Web Smith]

Try not to get the concepts of legal and illegal immigration confused.

Could you also list the names of the previously elected officials that supported this?

[artemis]

Viva La Raza-BLANCA!

[Brittanicus]

Big business is the main predator in this illegal alien invasion. They are arrogant entity that draw the destitute from all over the world and force US taxpayer to support all their welfare needs. The working class of America are getting sick and tired of carrying the burden of the pariah corporate world. Unlike Americans who are taxed through the nose, businesses hire cheap illegal workers and pay no health insurance, no workers compensation and sub-standard wages. They glean the profits and the federal government appropriates the absurd of 354 billion dollars to pay for illegal foreign national welfare needs. Small communities are also hurting around the country, while citizens are denied social assistance during their periods of unemployment.
Demand that your tainted Democrats co-author the Federal SAVE ACT (H.R.4088) Most major newspaper sources suppress the truth about this new pending law.