Peace / Paz

[awediot]

I'd like to offer up a quick prayer, positive thought and hope for a peaceful May 1st. There is alot of pent up emotion and confusing thoughts surrounding the planned walk out of immigrants and supporters. Whatever your point of view, I am sure we all want a sane day and productive outcome...

[Jennifer5]

that was very nice of you awediot... yes, I hope things go well... I know very little about such things, but that doesn't mean I don't care

[Rick336]

Yes. I hope everything goes well tomorrow with the boycotts and demonstrations. The anti-war protest in New York City Saturday drew nearly 300,000 people and was peaceful. I understand there was also a huge rally in Washington DC Sunday.

[Jennifer5]

If anyone has a simple (as in short) way of filling me in on this stuff I'd appreciate it...but if not that's fine

[awediot]

hey Jennifer

Yeah, tomarrow there is going to be a walk out of work and schools, and a purchasing boycott by Mexican/Spanish immigrants (illegal and/or thier supporters) in order to show thier strength, solidarity and influence in this country. Sould be interesting to see the impact on business and daily life in the big cities (traffic/ counter protest etc.).

I know some who totally support them and others who are really angry. I have really mixed feelings myself. I support my fellow mans struggle to better thier (and thier families) life, how and where ever they can. But the structures in this country are shakey and I don't know if they can support millions of people streaming in... It is a tough issue I'm sure we will see more of on this forum... hoped that helps.

[Jennifer5]

Thanks, that's exactly the kind of filling in I meant... I have the hardest time keeping up with things... as if normal life isn't enough, but I love this place to much

[Emproph]

The day may come when we need to do the same thing.

I was going to rent "A Day Without a Mexican" (if they still had a copy), but my dvd player carped out. Seeing that TODAY IS THAT DAY I regret not having watched it when I had the chance. (Any connection with what's in the movie?)

The other issue is that Bush got the latino vote last election on the “family values” platform. Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t the republicans the one’s spearheading this illegal immigration 'reform' instead of actually securing our borders?

[Zerbie]

Emproph -
the republican party is split over two different ways of handling the immigration issue. One faction wants to build a wall at the border, round up illegally immigrated folk to send 'em back, and make offering them humanitarian aid a felony. Another faction wants to create a guestworker program allowing them to stay for a set period of years, and a path to citizenship as well (or alternatively, I'm not clear on this plan myself).

But the Repubs are FAR from unified on this issue.

[Vanessa White]

I have some students here on campus who are boycotting in their own way, and I admire their energy and compassion for change. I am also conflicted for many reasons about the boycott itself, and will today bring a desired result or just negative repercussions? It does not mean it will not be necessary, just hard and painful at times. Peace and love to all. Vanessa