Postcards from the Imagination

Though I believe in the need for meaningful immigration laws, I also believe that the current debate has been distorted by racism and bigotry on the Right. Immigration is not this country's most pressing issue. It's being used by conservatives to garner support among those who fear brown people in the lead-up to the mid-term elections. In the early 20th century, it was my Irish ancestors. In the middle of the century, it was my German immigrant family (which is why my name is Heatter and not Hütter). Therefore, I whole-heartedly support this effort to press upon the American consciousness the importance of our immigrant brothers and sisters.

There is a nationwide general strike planned for May 1, 2006 to protest anti-immigration legislation. Organizers are asking people to wear a white T-shirt and attend one of the rallies, strikes, protests, or vigils in their area. For more information, including a list of local May 1st actions visit nohr4437.org.

Boston College students are planning an assembly in O'Neill Plaza at 11:30. From there they will travel to Harvard Yard for a rally and student walk-out event. At 2:30 pm the entire Student May Day Coalition will march to the State House. At 3:30 they will join the Boston May Day Coalition for a rally at Boston Common.

News items:

Nashua Telegraph: Protest Will Be Felt in Nashua (New Hampshire)
The arresting aroma of rice, chicken and fried plantains won’t emanate from the small kitchen of Rincon Colombiano on Monday. For that matter, the clicking of computer keyboards at Main Travel Agency and the jingle of coins at the city’s Hispanic groceries will not be heard that day. Hispanics who own businesses in Nashua intend to shut down tomorrow, joining thousands others across America in what many have labeled “A Day Without Immigrants.”

CBS/AP: Preparing For Immigration Protests
Preparations are being made across America for massive demonstrations and boycotts planned for Monday to protest strict immigration legislation passed by the House of Representatives...The California State Senate voted Friday to endorse the planned boycott of schools, jobs and stores by a 24-to-13 margin that split along party lines. The State Senate approved a resolution that calls the one-day protest the "Great American Boycott 2006"...

Reuters: May 1 Immigrant Boycott Aims to "Close" U.S. Cities
Pro-immigration activists say a national boycott and marches planned for May 1 will flood America's streets with millions of Latinos to demand amnesty for illegal immigrants and shake the ground under Congress as it debates reform.Such a massive turnout could make for the largest protests since the civil rights era of the 1960s...

CNN: Mexican lawmakers support U.S. immigration protest
Mexican lawmakers issued a declaration of support for immigrant protests planned in the United States on Monday and said they will send a delegation to Los Angeles to show their solidarity.