Friday, April 28, 2006

California State Senate backs immigration boycott

On Thursday the California State Senate approved a resolution recognizing the nation wide immigration reform protests scheduled for Monday, May 1st.

From the Sacramento Bee:


State Senate backs immigration boycott
By Clea Benson -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Thursday, April 27, 2006

The state Senate on Thursday spoke out in favor of a boycott of schools and jobs planned by immigration activists for Monday.

Senators approved a resolution officially recognizing the nationwide protest, which will include rallies in cities throughout California and the United States.

Boycott organizers are speaking out against federal legislation that would make it a felony to be in the United States illegally and in favor of bills that would enable many immigrants to establish legal residency here.

The protests have sparked controversy, in part because organizers are asking students to stay out of school. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and California Schools Superintendent Jack O'Connell, both Democrats, have publicly urged parents to send their children to school Monday.

Sen. Dave Cox, R-Fair Oaks, opposed the resolution.

"It is irresponsible for this Legislature to advise that students stay out of school for any reason, especially since there are viable alternatives," he said.

Cox said students could protest during hours when they were not required to be in school.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 113, by Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, does not specifically ask workers and students to stay home, but says the boycott "is to educate people in California and across the United States about the tremendous contribution immigrants make on a daily basis to our society and economy."

Romero said it was important for the Senate to support the boycott.

"I ask us to simply recognize the existence of new Americans," she said.

The measure passed the Senate by a vote of 24-13.

The Assembly did not vote on the resolution.

Sacramento Bee



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This move by the California Senate now gives even more legitimacy to the immigration rights movement, and hopefully paves the way for a more unified message coming both the rally organizers and local political leaders.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

The Green Party of the U.S. has also endorsed the efforts of organizers. It's good momentum, hopefully it will be enough to strengthen the resolve of those who have been wavering on whether to support the boycott or not.

Duke Reed said...

from what I've seen as far as interest in the boycott, and information about it ... that has grown exponentially in the last few days.

XicanoPwr said...

It is spreading really fast too. In Ohio as well.
http://www.floc.com/

janinsanfran said...

Nice to get the CA State Senate on record. As one who lived through the Prop. 187 agony, it is wonderful to see what some additional registrations and time for people to get used to each other can do. One of the slogans here (everywhere?) is "Hoy marchamos, mañana votamos."

People in San Francisco are very excited about Monday.

Duke Reed said...

great San Fran photo essay Jan. I really like the "homemade" signs in the store windows... they show so much heart.

It's great to see so many people getting involved in this.

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