Immigrant Boycott

Originally posted on May 2, 2006

–Start Rant–

Image courtesy Pettifog

So. How did yesterday’s “Boycott” affect you?

I saw no effect. There were reports of lots of marchers, but the only thing that was disrupted was traffic.

Touted as a support of solidarity for immigrants, from what I can see, it was just a fizzle.

Listening to talk radio this morning, while a number of restaurants and other businesses were closed, just as many were open. It appears that only the “elite” of the immigrant population protested and marched. Add to that the professional organizers, the students, the “well to do,” the “illegal immigrants,” and you have the mix of what was causing problems in downtown Seattle yesterday afternoon.

This, in my opinion, was not a demonstration for solidarity. It was a demonstration and a protest to try and get amnesty, or a blanket policy for giving illegal immigrants a free ride.

Face it. Those that are here legally, for the most part, did not show up. Those who are here legally, worked, provided for their families, and did so with pride in themselves.

Those that marched/protested/boycotted were either pros, students, retired, could afford to miss a day of work , or otherwise not here legally. I have asked this question before, I ask it again, “Where was law enforcement to arrest and confine those who were protesting and illegal?” It’s not like we didn’t know where they were or where they were going to be.

Here is another take. We know who the employers are that hire illegals. We have laws on the books. It’s time to make an example of the employers. The IRS could start with a review of their taxes. The Social Security Administration could start asking question about dual Social Security Numbers. Oh! But that requires someone to step up to the plate, commit resources, and take action. We need employers to start following a process that requires proof of ability to work in this country or proof of citizenship. Again, this requires employers to take an extra step and take action.

I have said this before, and I say it still. If you want to work in this country, The United States of America, I have no problem with that. There is a process to follow that will allow you to do so legally. Do It! We speak English in this country. Learn it or leave.

We have not heard a lot from the big unions (AFL/CIO, etc) about this illegal immigrant issue. Of course not. They are lying in wait to get these people legalized and then try to get them into the unions for a larger membership. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a sizable membership in the unions that are illegal.

So. Once again, what was the affect of the protest/demonstration/boycott yesterday on you?

How about a “Counter Protest/Boycott?” I suggest we all protest/boycott Cinco de Mayo on Friday. After all, this is really an insignificant Mexican holiday that we Americans use as an excuse to go to the local bar, get drunk, eat, and otherwise make fools of ourselves. Let’s protest/Boycott this so-called celebration. Instead of “A Day without an Immigrant,” let’s make it a “Cinco de Mayo — A Day With no Gringos.”

Join me. I won’t be celebrating.

–End of Rant—

1 Comment

1. It didn’t affect my life at all. Zero, zilch. I got up, I drove to work, our roads were all open completely, no delays. Everybody I work with is legal, though we do have workers in my building from various parts of the world, they are here legally. At lunch I went over to the Burger King. They seemed fully staffed, no delays. After work I stopped at the mall, everything there was open. I went home, again no delays or closings.

   Comment by Laurie — May 2, 2006 @ 1:12 pm | Edit This

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.