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 Editorials | Issues | June 2007 
Low Turn Out for Immigration Rally
 Sue Doyle - LA DailyNews
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Hollywood, CA - Turnout at an immigrant-rights rally was far lower than expected Sunday, with many speculating potential marchers chose to stay home to watch the game between the Mexican and U.S. national soccer teams.
The CONCACAF Gold Cup rivalry between Mexico and the U.S. kicked off in Chicago at noon Pacific time, just as American- and Mexican-flag waving demonstrators started a march and rally on the streets of Hollywood. The U.S. came from behind to win 2-1.
Only one man was arrested for instigating fights with people at the end of the march.
Organizers had predicted crowds of up to 15,000, but police estimated that about 1,100 people showed up. But crowd size did not matter as much as the message to the ANSWER coalition, the Los Angeles-based group that organized Sunday's demonstration. The group is fighting for the legalization of the estimated 12 million illegal residents.
"Legalization would mean that no longer could corporations or businesses say, `This person is illegal so I can pay him less,"' said Carlos Alvarez, a representative from ANSWER. "It's something that hurts the entire U.S."
Sunday's demonstration occurred just days before the Senate votes on a controversial immigration bill that would tighten borders, require workplace verification and create a guest-worker program. The measure also lays out a path of citizenship for the 12 million people illegally in the U.S. The Senate could vote on the measure as early as Tuesday.
Demonstrator Martha Perez of Thousand Oaks said she wants to become a citizen. If Congress does not find a way to make it happen, Perez said she and all the others will still remain the U.S. because going back to Mexico is not an option for them.
"We can't change our lives," said Perez. "We came here to get better jobs."
The rally was also a test of the Los Angeles Police Department following last month's May Day melee, when a heavy-handed police response to demonstrators with batons and foam bullets on May 1 left 40 injured at an immigration rally in MacArthur Park.
The highly criticized police reaction forced Chief William Bratton to review crowd control policies and reassign two top officers involved in the disturbance. The altercation also delayed his appointment to a second five-year term, a process that had begun one day before the fracas at Mac Arthur Park. He was confirmed for a second term last week.
Before the march began, Los Angeles police handed out yellow fliers to passers-by that explained the department's commitment to participants' free speech and its goal for a safe atmosphere during demonstrations. Community relations officers wore jackets that identified who they were to the crowd. Police set up media sections around the demonstration, in case mayhem erupted. About 550 Los Angeles police officers were on duty at the rally.
Standing at the starting point for the march, Bratton said these changes were made after reviewing what happened last month in MacArthur Park and learning from the mistakes.
"We anticipate it will return us to what has been the reality, which is where we police these things all the time without incident," Bratton said. "What happened at MacArthur Park was really the exception."
Chanting "Si, se puede" which in English means "It can be done" - the crowd began the march at Hollywood Boulevard and Ivar Avenue. It came to an end at a stage set up at Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive.
Holding a sign that read "I want to be a citizen," Manuel Ruiz said he came to America 20 years ago and has worked as a cook in a South Los Angeles restaurant ever since.
"It's really bad in Mexico," said the 49-year-old Los Angeles man. "We are here and want to stay here."
sue.doyle@dailynews.com |
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