Immigrant Demo Draws Thousands

Photo Vinny DuPre Congressmember Crowley stressing point is joined by Assemblymember Hiram Monserrate and community activists at rally. A huge throng of immigrants, many holding signs proclaiming "I love immigrant New York," filled the intersection of 37th Avenue and 74th Street in Jackson Heights on Monday as part of the nationwide demonstration and protest for a law to create a legal path to citizenship for the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

Led by Congressmember Joseph Crowley, the thousands of demonstrators held hands and formed a human chain at 12:16 p.m., as others were doing all around the country at the same time to protest the extreme enforcement only immigration bill passed by the House of Representatives last December.

Crowley (D-Queens/The Bronx), whose district in Queens contains a large Central and South American population as well as many Indian nationals, declared: "Across the city and across the nation, people are participating in today's National Day of Action and Solidarity. This demonstration is just another sign of how bad things have gotten that innocent people have to take to the streets and risk losing their jobs and their livelihood so they can prove a point that they too are America.

"I stand behind this incredible show of commitment by our immigrant community. Congress can no longer rely on ineffective legislation that does not address the 12 million people who live and work in this country every day, nor can it afford to ignore the need for comprehensive immigration reform."

Last week, Crowley led a forum in Jackson Heights on immigration with local immigration advocates, community leaders and service providers from throughout Queens. The advisory committee was made up of nearly three dozen groups reflecting the diversity of the lawmaker's district and Queens.

Participants included United Nations representatives, CUNY, the Jackson Heights Merchants Association, the Thai Business Association, the Bangladeshi Community Advocates and the Catholic Charities Community Center.

The National Day of Action and Solidarity found huge numbers of immigrants staying away from their jobs, forcing many businesses to close. It was an effort by the immigrant community and those who support comprehensive immigration reform for 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, 7 million of whom are in the work force.

Monday's demonstration came as the U.S. Senate debated immigration bills.

Several weeks ago a compromise deal collapsed. Last Wednesday, President George W. Bush met with key Senators, both Republican and Democrats, to urge a compromise solution to the immigration issue.

On Monday in Washington, Bush, who has also proposed a plan that would give legal immigrants a path to citizenship, said through a spokesman: "The president is not a fan of boycotts. People have the right to peacefully express their views."

Crowley stated that he and House Democrats support comprehensive immigration enforcement coupled with a temporary guest worker program allowing a pathway to earned citizenship. The approach has bipartisan support in the Senate, Crowley said, "by lawmakers who propose improving security along U.S. borders while providing stronger accountability and a path to citizenship."

Monday's demonstration ended here in New York City with a march across the city's bridges by the immigrant demonstrators to Union Square in Manhattan, where they joined with other demonstrators from throughout the city.

The impact of the demonstrations even reached the state capital in Albany where the Democrat-controlled Assembly shut down in what lawmakers called a show of support for immigrant rights.

The decision to end the day's work came after several Latino lawmakers announced their intention to boycott the day's legislative session. It was reported no Republican Assemblymembers took part in the walkout.

This brought a reaction from Assemblymember Jose Peralta, a Democrat who represents Corona and Jackson Heights, that he was disappointed with those who did not join in the boycott. "Today is an historic day, and we are united under one banner that is the immigrant banner," Peralta was quoted in the New York Times.

Peralta added, "To those who stayed behind, remember this, there is a very famous saying during the time of the Nazis: First they came for the Jews, and I said nothing because I was not a Jew."

Also in Albany, a spokesman for Governor George Pataki refused to comment on the demonstrations. But last Saturday, in an interview with WABC-AM radio, Pataki called it a terrible idea.