California Democrats Endorse Boycotts Supporting Illegal Immigration
by James Lambert and Chad Groening
May 1, 2006
(AgapePress) - - Late last week, California State Senate Democrats passed Resolution 113, which endorses the "Great American Boycott 2006." The May 1 boycott is being used by pro-illegal immigration proponents to demonstrate their support for allowing amnesty for the 12-15 million illegal immigrants already in the U.S. The initiative, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero (Dem-District #24) and State Senator Gil Cedillo (Dem-District #22), passed primarily along party lines. The measure compares the boycott to the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott that is says "galvanized the African-American community ... result[ing] in the landmark 1956 United States Supreme Court ruling against segregation."
While some black conservatives are reportedly appalled at this comparison, Cedillo's initiative commends immigrants for being a strong component of America's economy. Cedillo is best known for being the author of numerous bills to provide illegal immigrants with California State driver's licenses. The initiative delineates contributions immigrants have provided to the Golden State's society and economy, and makes note of the fact that an immigrant -- Arnold Schwarzenegger -- now occupies the position of governor of the state.
The initiative does not use the phrase "illegal immigrants." However, the tenth paragraph recognizes that "nearly 40 percent of California's foreign-born residents are United States citizens" -- implying, but neglecting to add, that over 60 percent of the state's "foreign-born" residents are in the state illegally.
Violence a Distinct Possibility
Meanwhile, an Arizona-based immigration reform activist believes the massive protest planned across the country could become violent. Glenn Spencer, president of American Border Patrol, says he has seen such protests in the past and has even been physically assaulted by radical Latinos who have opposed his work.
Spencer, who lives within a thousand feet of the U.S.-Mexico border, says Americans should not be surprised if the protests get out of hand.
"There is a potential of violence here that is going to be real, it is going to be manifest, and it's going to blindside the American people," says Spencer. "I've been in these fights, I have seen what they do -- they are capable of very, very bad things."
He claims the radicals behind the demonstrations want to intimidate anyone who might oppose them. "This is to demonstrate their power [and] to try to intimidate the Congress of the United States," he says. "A lot of people [such as the Spanish-language media] are trying to discourage them ... sort of half-heartedly, I believe, because they know the danger of it."
Spencer explains there is a danger for violence when people are angry and demonstrating. "And there might be others who are trying to ... go into a store or use some service or get something done and they get upset. It has the makings for possible conflict."
Spencer agrees with others who believe the protests will backfire on supporters of illegal immigration and on a delegation of representatives from the Mexico government who are in Los Angeles.
