Pro-immigrant activists say they will “shut down” major cities to demand amnesty for millions of illegal aliens, according to a report in Reuters. Already troubling comparisons have been made to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Let's make a distinction: one movement strove for the equal rights of citizens; the other insists on the privilege of citizenship to illegal/undocumented (whichever you prefer) aliens. One movement worked within the framework of a democratic government; the other threatens to disrupt that government.
While the civil rights movement of the 1960s gained much through sit-ins, marches and boycotts, it succeeded primarily in courts and in congress. Civil rights activists employed the law to combat lawlessness and employed reason to turn away hatred. The abolitionists of the previous century struggled with the idea that the government and its laws were beyond repair. Some argued for the overthrow of government, for the dissolution of the Union. Ultimately, in the likes of Frederick Douglass and others, they embraced the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. They turned to the democratic processes, not away from it, and established the framework for future civil rights activity.
Absent in the pro-immigration movement is the recognition of public discourse and the right of people to determine their own policies. The 10 to 11 million illegal aliens in America must respect the right of citizens to decide immigration policy, or else they will alienate mainstream America. Shutting down cities does little to increase public discourse, and unlike the civil rights movement of the 1960s, possesses none of the moral fortitude.
America is not indifferent. Each year, the United States admits some 700,000 to 900,000 legal immigrants (source). All immigrants, regardless of their status, are given free healthcare, education and legal support. And polls show most Americans are not for draconian measures so often the targets of these protests.
Disconnect between pro-immigrant activists and average Americans is woeful. While Spanish radio is doing an admirable job informing and engaging the Spanish market, how are they reaching the rest of America? Shutting down our cities does little to reach Middle America.
Article comments
1 - RJ Elliott
Here's the way I see it:
You have millions of people who are here illegally (in fact, the first thing they did once on US soil was to break federal law), who are planning to rally and protest ON A COMMUNIST HOLIDAY, to demand that LEGAL AMERICAN CITIZENS support their efforts at an blanket amnesty, while SHUTTING DOWN MAJOR AMERICAN CITIES, certainly causing economic harm, and possibly causing riots.
So, my opinion is: Go To Hell!
2 - RJ Elliott
By the way...
I work in an industry (hospitality) that has a large percentage of Hispanic/Latino workers. Now, I don't make the hiring/firing decisions where I work, but I would hope that any immigrant who pulls a no-call/no-show on Monday would be without a job on Tuesday.
If they think their economic clout is so GD strong, let's prove them wrong! No-show on Monday, no-job on Tuesday! Let an actual AMERICAN take their job. Believe it or not, there ARE actual Americans who are citizens who WILL do their jobs, though they might ask for a slightly higher wage...
3 - Richard Brodie
I hope they try this. It will serve to further ALIENate them, and thus speed up the time when politicians will no longer dare to ignore the growing impatience of the vast majority of American citizens to kick their ungrateful, boorish asses back to the shithole they came from, and which they are trying to turn our country into a carbon copy of.
4 - Joey
Mob rule ALWAYS surplants democracy.... that's why we in America, have a democratic republic.
Remember civics class?
5 - Mark Adams
That's my point exactly. I'm not opposed to immigration, but I am opposed to every form of a mob, even one in the guise of the First Amendment.
6 - thony g
its obvious how little some of these individuals posting comments against hispanic immigrants know. After hundreds of years of descrimination agains blacks and never being able to succeed with their senceless ideas, they are still thinks America is 100% white. please, get out and look around. The only reason America continues to be America is because of the International help that arrives every year, Legal or ilegal. without immigrants in America this will be the worlds shithole you keep mentioning. you should be greatfull immigrants are here to make the country what its today.
7 - thony g
its obvious how little some of these individuals posting comments against hispanic immigrants know. After hundreds of years of descrimination agains blacks and never being able to succeed with their senceless ideas, they are still thinks America is 100% white. please, get out and look around. The only reason America continues to be America is because of the International help that arrives every year, Legal or ilegal. without immigrants in America this will be the worlds shithole you keep mentioning. you should be greatfull immigrants are here to make the country what its today.