Latinos come out en masse locally to support immigration rights;
racial tensions felt
Hundreds of Latinos rallied in the downtowns of Gilroy and
Hollister Monday in support of immigration rights, currently a
hot-button issue across the nation.
In Hollister, it was the largest, loudest public demonstration
in recent memory, staged on the corner of Fourth and San Benito
streets
– a spot that has become the
”
protest zone
”
of town.
Latinos come out en masse locally to support immigration rights; racial tensions felt
Hundreds of Latinos rallied in the downtowns of Gilroy and Hollister Monday in support of immigration rights, currently a hot-button issue across the nation.
In Hollister, it was the largest, loudest public demonstration in recent memory, staged on the corner of Fourth and San Benito streets – a spot that has become the “protest zone” of town.
Some 500 participants jubilantly waved a sea of flags – predominately American and some Mexican – while shouting in unison, “SÃ, se puede!” – yes, we can – and were buoyed by the many motorists noisily honking in support as they drove past the colorful demonstration.
The rally was preceded last month by multiple immigration-rights demonstrations and marches by local high school students, whose intent came into question when it was speculated that most had participated in the walkouts just to cut class. But Monday’s rally was a different event altogether. High school students participated, but the majority of the crowd included whole families, older workers and Hispanics from all walks of life.
“We’re fighting to decriminalize immigration,” said Alicia Solano, a Hollister mother flanked by her small children, all carrying miniature American flags. “Without them (Mexican immigrants), who would pick the tomatoes, the onions? You name it, they do it.”
Throughout the town, dozens of businesses were shut down, including the Plaza Car Wash, which employs mostly Spanish-speaking-only labor, a Beacon gas station, a local Mexican butcher shop, restaurants and taquerias. Office workers throughout town were hard pressed to find their usual lunch fare – a burrito – anywhere. In the rural areas, many farmers called it a day off and allowed their workers to make it up on a Sunday.
Other businesses that employ large numbers of Latinos managed to stay open, but managers were acutely aware of what was happening outside.
“Production was up and running,” said Mandi Culala, human resources manager at Leatherback’s building felt factory. But she added, “Today was employee appreciation day,” and noted that some five workers asked for the day off weeks in advance, which were granted.
In addition to attending rallies and not working, Hispanics throughout the nation – including Hollister and Gilroy – avoided buying.
“Business was slower,” said Fernando Gonzalez, owner of True Value Hardware on Fourth Street. “I think because there were companies that did close and their employees did not come in to purchase.”
May Day, May 1, traditionally is the international workers’ rights day celebrated in demonstrations around the world every year in support of labor. Immigrant-rights organizers seized on the date to bring attention to the importance of Mexican-American labor throughout the U.S., and called the national event “The Day without Immigrants.” They call for a policy that allows workers from Mexico to cross the border with less Draconian consequences when they’re caught, in addition to the same workers’ rights enjoyed by all Americans.
Jose Pio, 55, captured the sentiment more succinctly when asked by a reporter why he was demonstrating. Pio, who is recuperating from an injury, normally works alongside his many brothers in a local packinghouse that produces prepackaged salad.
“We’re supporting our compañeros [fellow workers],” Pio said in Spanish, holding up his American flag. “We’re fighting for their papers. Not all of us can obtain them.”
An undercurrent of racial tensions did fester in reaction to the rally in Hollister. Republican activist Marvin Jones, who himself rallies every Friday in support President Bush’s Middle East policies on the same corner the May Day rally was held, was deeply angered when he spotted an upside-down American flag in the event. He wrote a scathing commentary about the demonstration on his web site.
Also seen cruising repeatedly past the demonstrators was a purple SUV with three Anglo passengers. One of them sported what appeared to be an army-issued gas mask, and the vehicle was draped with a Confederate flag.
