A Day Without an Immigrant

"Organizers say their goal is to push Congress to pass a bill that legalizes illegal immigrants, allowing them to become American citizens."

By Sophia Chakos-Leiby

This Monday, May 1, immigrant rights organizers from across the country are promoting a worker strike and consumer boycott to raise awareness of the contributions of immigrants in a day people are calling “El Gran Paro Americano 2006: The Great American Boycott of 2006” and “Un Dia Sin Inmigrante: A Day Without an Immigrant.” Others are backing high school walkouts, teach-ins and prayer vigils to commemorate this day.

Organizers say their goal is to push Congress to pass a bill that legalizes illegal immigrants, allowing them to become American citizens. Some people will also use the strike and boycott to continue the ongoing protest against HR4437, a proposed piece of legislation that would increase border patrol and give undocumented people felony status. The U.S. Senate and House are now divided over whether this bill should become law.

While the Latino community has heavily mobilized around immigration issues, this proposed legislation actually affects immigrants of all races. Organizers expect a wide range of people from Asian, African and Middle Eastern immigrant groups to come out and show their support - reinforcing the multicultural character of the new immigrant rights movement. Immigrants with legal status have also begun to organize hand in hand with undocumented immigrants, because much of the newly proposed legislation affects them as well.

The points of unity for Monday are “no work,” “no school,” “no sales,” and “no buying.” Organizers have also suggested that people rally around symbols of economic trade, such as stock exchanges or anti-immigrant corporations; and wear white to the protests in commemoration of workers.

Some organizations, however, are worried about damaging the economy and fueling a negative backlash against immigrants. They fear that a general strike could actually hurt the immigrant workers it is trying to protect. To avoid potential lay-offs, groups like the National Capitol Immigration Coalition based in Washington, DC are holding alternative community events that will take place after the work and school day are finished.

The strike and boycott planned for May 1 follow a tidal wave of demonstrations that spilled out of cities in protest of HR4437 throughout March and April – beginning with 50,000 in Washington DC on March 7; 500,000 in Chicago on March 10; tens of thousands more in places like Atlanta, Milwaukee, and Phoenix; and over half a million taking to the streets in Los Angeles on March 25. These demonstrations reflect a tremendous upsurge of self-determination and organization in the immigrant community. Stay tuned to Youth Radio’s website to check out our coverage of Immigration Policy: HR4437 as the events unfold.

Demonstrations Around the Country
Here is a list of some events happening around the major metropolitian areas of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, DC and Atlanta. Click here for additional information on events happening in states such as Alaska, Montana and Conneticut.

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San Francisco Bay Area

East Bay Sanctuary Covenant
EBSC is organizing a "May Day Without Immigrants" protest focusing on the Central American/African/Asian communities. Meeting at the Fruitvale Bart station in Oakland at 10:00 AM, protesters will travel to Embarcadero and Market to march towards the San Francisco Civic Center Plaza. For more information, contact Manuel de Paz at (510) 540-5296 or email: maureenduignan@yahoo.com

Mobilization Committee and BAMN
Berkeley May 1st Mobilization Committee and By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) are teaming up to organize high school walkouts and a rally at UC Berkeley. For more information, contact Ronald Cruz at (510) 501-2435 or Michael Smith at (415) 272-5049.

UC Berkeley
Worker and student walkout at UC Berkeley. All campus union members, students, off-campus workers and community members are encouraged to attend. Informational pickets start at 7:30 AM at Bancroft and Telegraph, followed by a rally on Sproul Plaza at noon. For more information, contact Michael Smith at (415) 272-5049.

Oakland
Protesters will gather in East Oakland at 9:00 AM, at the corner of International Blvd (E. 14th) and 98th Ave. Participants will then march down International Blvd. to the Federal Building in downtown Oakland and have a rally. For more information, contact Ronald Cruz at (510) 501-2435.

Richmond
At 8:00 AM, protesters will gather at 3 separate locations and march past schools to pick up young people. Starting at 23rd and San Pablo Ave, rally at Civic Center in the heart of Richmond; then march up McDonald Ave to Home Depot to celebrate the day laborers who gather there daily; from there march to legislator John Gioia's office to demand that the Contra Costa County pass a pro-immigrant resolution. After these local demonstrations in Richmond, protesters will travel to San Francisco to join the march there.

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Los Angeles Area

La Collectiva del Troqueros del Puerto
12,000 Troqueros working the Port of Los Angeles and local rails will shut down and congregate at Banning Park. For more information, email: ejnevarez@sbcglobal.net

The Great American Boycott
March begins at 12:00 PM at Olympic & Broadway. From there, participants will march to Los Angeles City Hall. For more information call (800) 598-6379 or email: granmarcha2006@hotmail.com

We Are America Coalition
March is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM at MacArthur Park and will continue on Wilshire Blvd to the La Brea Tar Pits, where a rally will celebrate the day of the worker. For more information, contact Mike at (213) 250-4353.

West Hollywood
At 6:00 PM, a special service will be held to pray for immigration rights at 8714 Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood. For more information, contact Rev. Alejandro Escoto at (310) 854-9110.

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Atlanta Area

Alianza 17 de Marzo
The Alianza 17 de Marzo is organizing a protest to meet at downtown Atlanta's Capitol Building, located at 203 State Capitol SW, at noon. For more information, contact the group at (678) 768-9435.

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Washington, DC Area

Malcolm X Park
Washington, DC families will gather in Malcolm X Park, at Euclid between 15th and 16th NW, to write letters to senators and listen to educational forums on race, immigration, and worker rights from 3-6:00 PM. Regional leaders of the National Capital Immigration Coalition will demand legalization from Congress beginning at 4:00 PM. For more information, contact Germonique Jones at (202) 494-9876.

Hyattsville, Maryland
Gathering at Lane Manor Community Park, 7601 West Park Drive, from 5:00 PM - nightfall. Students, civil rights groups, and community activists will speak out against HR4437. The event will also include voter registration and letter writing to senators. Co-hosted by County Councilmember William Campos and Delegate Victor Ramirez, both legislators from Montgomery and Prince Georges County will pledge support for comprehensive immigration reform.

Baltimore City
Gathering in Patterson Park at the Pulaski Monument entrance at the corner of Eastern and Linwood Avenues from 5:00 PM - nightfall. A proposed Baltimore City Resolution opposing HR4437 and calling for comprehensive immigration reform will be presented. At 5:00 PM, church bells will ring throughout city in memory of those who have died crossing the border. Baltimore City legislators to arrive at close of city council hearing.