Blog Archive

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

1,000 at rally call for overhaul of immigration

By Bruce Lieberman
THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
Monday, June 7, 2010

DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO — Students terrified their parents will be deported. Day laborers afraid to call police because they lack green cards. Routine traffic stops may lead to deportations.

These were among the stories shared with more than 1,000 people calling for comprehensive immigration reform at a rally Sunday.

The gathering was coordinated by the San Diego Organizing Project, a faith-based community group.

Sunday’s demonstration followed a rally Saturday at City Hall organized by the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition, a conservative political group.

“So many people from (Mexico) ignore our rules and come on in,” said Leslie Eastman, a spokeswoman for that group, who said about 100 people attended. “I would like to see enforcement so we can have people here legally.”

The rally on Sunday at Chicano Park was followed by a march to St. Joseph Cathedral.

An Arizona law aimed at curbing illegal immigration has reignited the national debate on the issue. Demonstrators said the law has created a culture of fear among undocumented immigrants. They called for reform to reunite families separated by deportations, among other changes.

“We came together united as a people of prayer … that our system can be fixed,” said the Rev. Henry Rodriguez of St. Jude’s Shrine. “That above all the politics, rhetoric, anger … there is a more concrete way to address this issue.”

National polls show most Americans support the Arizona law, despite the legal challenges.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jun/07/1000-at-rally-call-for-overhaul-of-immigration/