See other Immigration Articles
Title: Boycott may lack bite organizers intended
Source:
Houston Chronicle
URL Source: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/front/3829784
Published: Apr 30, 2006
Author: By JENALIA MORENO
Post Date: 2006-04-30 16:20:37 by Zipporah
Keywords: None
Views: 182
Comments: 31
Some will close businesses here Monday, but many immigrants afraid to participate Forget about getting a super burrito, flauta or fajita at any of Houston's Taquerias Arandas restaurants on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT And if you've been hankering for a new pair of work boots from the Botas Cebu store on Harwin, you'll have to wait. It'll be closed, too. In Houston and around the country, immigrants and their supporters on Monday plan to stage a national work stoppage and spending boycott aimed at showing off their economic muscle. Their aim is to get Congress to legalize more than 11 million undocumented immigrants and back off proposals to tighten immigration laws. But Monday's "Day Without an Immigrant" is unlikely to bring the economy to a grinding halt as it did in the 2004 satirical film A Day Without A Mexican, even some immigrant advocates concede. "There won't be chaos," predicted Alain Cisneros, a community organizer for ACORN, a group that works with low-income families, including immigrants. "We will see the impact on the economy, maybe not that strong, but we will see the impact of companies closing and workers not working." Organizers of the boycott say they didn't have the economic resources to get the word out to everyone they want to take part in the protest. And some immigrants are afraid to participate, still rattled over the raids earlier this month that netted 1,187 illegal immigrants in Texas and 25 other states. But organizers say that if even scattered pockets of immigrants hold back their labor and cash, if only for a day, they will boost awareness of their demands. "Even the threat of an economic boycott has forced many to think about the importance of the economic impact of immigrants," said Maria Jimenez, special projects coordinator for the Center for Central American Resources, known as CRECEN. Undocumented immigrants make up 5 percent of the U.S. labor force, with 7.2 million immigrants filling jobs as roofers, busboys and other positions, according to the Pew Hispanic Center, a Washington-based research group. "America is totally dependent on the hard work and wages of these workers," said Stephen Klineberg, a Rice University sociology professor. "They are critical to the economic success of the well-being of America." In the Houston area, there are an estimated 390,000 undocumented immigrants, according to a forthcoming report that researcher Jeffrey Passel wrote for the Urban Institute, an economic and social policy research group in Washington. Many of those immigrants build homes in new subdivisions, wait tables or mow lawns. Without immigrants, jobs across the city — from Gulfton to the Galleria — would go undone, immigration experts said. "The trash cans wouldn't get picked up. The restrooms would be dirty," said Nestor Rodriguez, co-director of the University of Houston's Center for Immigration Research. "The list goes on and on." Spending money Illegal immigrants also spend money, and that contributes to the economy. Just how much they spend is difficult to measure, but it's a chunk of the estimated $736 billion Hispanics are estimated to have shelled out last year, economists say. Despite the immigrant work force's size and clout, many Houston business owners said they are not worried about Monday's work stoppage. "The show has still got to run," said Carlos Duran, manager of the Dr. Gleem Car Wash on Bellaire Boulevard, a strip lined with businesses catering to the area's growing Central American population. "We still have to wash cars." Without immigrants, Houston would not be the city it is today, Duran said as he worked the cash register one morning. Outside, several of his employees joked with one another in Spanish as they vacuumed, washed and detailed cars. Busy day for industry The head of the Austin-based Texas Nursery & Landscape Association said he doesn't know what to expect of the boycott, although a few workers for companies in Houston and Dallas have requested Monday off. While the beginning of the week can be slow in some industries, it's a busy day in the nursery and landscaping business, he said. "If you're in the retail industry, you're getting over your weekend. If you're in the landscape industry, that's a big day for you for maintenance for both residential and commercial," said Eddy Edmondson, president and chief executive officer of the 1,600-member association. "The growers just don't know, either. Right now it's the middle of the shipping industry. It could cause a hardship. They're shipping plants out from wholesale growers to the retail operations." In Texas, this industry of planting, pruning and maintaining greenery such as azaleas and other plants, trees and shrubs totaled $9.8 billion in 2002, according to the association. A lot to lose for workers Like many industries that employ immigrants, the association's members favor a guest worker program that would help them fill jobs. Because many immigrants live paycheck to paycheck, some are predicting workers won't want to risk losing their jobs. "So many of these people need the money, and they can't afford not to work for a day," said Dennis Nixon, chairman of International Bancshares Corp., parent company of IBC Bank, which operates more than 20 branches in Houston and about 90 along the predominantly Hispanic U.S. border region. Many janitors are expected to attend the rallies and still show up for work, because they clean the city's office buildings at night, said Lynda Tran, spokeswoman for the Service Employees International Union's Justice for Janitors campaign. Guatemalan day laborers Israel Morales and Jose Masariegos said they plan to attend a Monday rally because they have nothing else to do. "I don't have a stable job," said Masariegos, 42, as he waited near U.S. 59 in southwest Houston in hopes of a contractor hiring him for the day. But as he leaned against a chain-link fence, he said he was not aware of Monday's boycott of businesses. Supporting protesters Some immigrant business owners are predicting the boycott will cut into their sales, so some restaurants, retailers and small construction companies will shutter their doors Monday. Mexican restaurant Doneraki will close its four locations after lunch on Monday so its 260 employees can participate in rallies. Monday evenings are often slow at the restaurants. "My employees are very happy that we're supporting them," Doneraki owner Cesar Rodriguez said. Houston's Arandas Franchises will close all 35 of its taquerias, two seafood restaurants and four bakeries on Monday, because franchise owners expect customers won't dine out that day. A company statement also said it wants "to support human rights in allowing all of our employees to express themselves." The company, started in 1981 by Mexican immigrant Jose Camarena, employs 1,500 people. Botas Cebu, which sells work boots made in Mexico's shoe capital of Leon, will close to let its seven workers participate in rallies. "In reality, one day won't have an effect on the U.S. economy," said Jose Luis Rodriguez, a Mexican immigrant and the president of Botas Cebu. But Congress will "notice that we exist." jenalia.moreno@chron.com
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#1. To: Zipporah (#0)
I heard of stories of illegal who here for awhile, starting to earn more money, only to get undercut by other illegals for cheap wages, plus who became citizens got F**ed over it would be justice if that happend to. War not only against the illegal but the employer also!
When they fighting starts over jobs..which I think will happen.. then the 'fun' begins..
"The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion." Frederick Douglass
They used to have the most awesome burritos. I'll bet those things weight 4 pounds... All for, iirc $3.50.
I used to like Mexican food.. no longer..
"The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion." Frederick Douglass
In the Houston area, there are an estimated 390,000 undocumented immigrants, according to a forthcoming report that researcher Jeffrey Passel wrote for the Urban Institute, an economic and social policy research group in Washington. Many of those immigrants build homes in new subdivisions, wait tables or mow lawns. Without immigrants, jobs across the city — from Gulfton to the Galleria — would go undone, immigration experts said. Gee, I wonder who did these jobs before the 1980s when Houston was still a clean, thriving, modern city?? I'm so glad I don't live there anymore as I saw the transition take place with my own eyes. In many industries illigals and immigrants took over, cutting wages dramatically to where most people could not afford to live at the ever-lowering going rates. Many of those south of the border and some from China and Vietnam would cram many people into small apartments, but we should not have to stoop to that type of life-style even if it is what the NWO guys have planned for us.
"America is totally dependent on the hard work and wages of these workers," said Stephen Klineberg, a Rice University sociology professor. "They are critical to the economic success of the well-being of America." How did we ever survive before they came? LOL! Stephen is a corporate whore.
God is always good! I never liked Mexican food, can't stand Chinese either. But I do love Italian food.
God is always good! Worse than that IMO..
"The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion." Frederick Douglass
Some Mexican.. not like tacos etc.. I liked.. the worst I ever had was in San Antonio.. dear gawd.. hideous.. awarded the best tacos at the fiesta.. TRIPE tacos.. of course I didnt realize that until I attempted to eat one ..GACKKKKKKKKKKKK!~!
"The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion." Frederick Douglass
You're right Diana. WTF DID we do before they invaded us? We made a living. I, too, saw the transition with my own eyes. I was a kid in the 60's so I've seen ameriKa's transistion to the toilet with my own eyes as well..and the transition from AmeriKans working to meskins working in their places.
#2. To: The 7th MJS2U2 (#1)
I heard of stories of illegal who here for awhile, starting to earn more money, only to get undercut by other illegals for cheap wages, plus who became citizens got F**ed over it would be justice if that happend to. War not only against the illegal but the employer also!
#3. To: Zipporah (#0)
Houston's Taquerias Arandas
#4. To: Brian S (#3)
#5. To: Zipporah, robin, christine, Eoghan, IndieTX, All (#0)
"America is totally dependent on the hard work and wages of these workers," said Stephen Klineberg, a Rice University sociology professor. "They are critical to the economic success of the well-being of America."
#6. To: Zipporah (#0)
"It was an interesting day." - President Bush, recalling 9/11 [White House, 1/5/02] More and more of our imports come from overseas. - George W. Bush
#7. To: Zipporah (#4)
I used to like Mexican food.. no longer..
"It was an interesting day." - President Bush, recalling 9/11 [White House, 1/5/02] More and more of our imports come from overseas. - George W. Bush
#8. To: RickyJ (#6)
How did we ever survive before they came? LOL! Stephen is a corporate whore.
#9. To: RickyJ (#7)
I never liked Mexican food, can't stand Chinese either. But I do love Italian food.
#10. To: Diana, zipporah (#5)
"America is totally dependent on the hard work and wages of these workers," said Stephen Klineberg, a Rice University sociology professor. "They are critical to the economic success of the well-being of America."
This Klineshitz...er ahh..kleinberg...whoever... is total bullf**k. I wonder if this is THE Stephen Klineberg...
;-))
#11. To: Zipporah, diana (#9)
You know what they eat. Think they wash their hands? One reason why I have excelled at cooking over the years. I know who touched my food before it went into my family's mouth. Ever been in the kitchen of a meskin restaurant after hours on an alarm call??? You'd be cooking yourself from now on. [ooo I'm sooooo mean!!! LOL]
San Antonio.. dear gawd.. hideous.. awarded the best tacos at the fiesta.. TRIPE tacos.. of course I didnt realize that until I attempted to eat one ..GACKKKKKKKKKKKK!~!
Somehow, I no longer admire or respect the mexican/spanish heritage of Texas [I used to] knowing the descendants of those folks have become the racist POS shills for the communist party usa. THEY have shot off their nose to spite their face. I SPIT on their protest tomorrow and fart in their general direction.
A country is built and a bunch of gd invading slime buckets who wish "death and outbreeding to the gringos" want to come and destyroy it...what's left of it..and make it a socialist breeding farm.. And do you know what is sicker than this? The gd politician WHORES in DC who invited them in.
You can have my country meskins...when HELL freezes over.
#12. To: IndieTX (#11)
************ A country is built and a bunch of gd invading slime buckets who wish "death and outbreeding to the gringos" want to come and destyroy it...what's left of it..and make it a socialist breeding farm.. And do you know what is sicker than this? The gd politician WHORES in DC who invited them in. Euw.. (stomach turning all over again.. gee thanks :P ) Hey I agree rant away.. dont disagree whatsoever.. The bad news, it's going to get worse..
You know what they eat. Think they wash their hands? One reason why I have excelled at cooking over the years. I know who touched my food before it went into my family's mouth. Ever been in the kitchen of a meskin restaurant after hours on an alarm call??? You'd be cooking yourself from now on.
"The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion." Frederick Douglass
#13. To: Zipporah (#0)
The economic costs of illegals: Without immigrants, Houston would not be the city it is today, Duran said as he worked the cash register one morning. Outside, several of his employees joked with one another in Spanish as they vacuumed, washed and detailed cars.
Impeach Bush. The man was lost and then he was found and now he's more lost than ever -- and he's taking us into the darkness with him. It's time to remove him. By Garrison Keillor [2006-03-01]
#14. To: justlurking (#13)
This really po's me.. yeah they're helping the economy right?? MEXICO'S!! $60 billion dollars are earned by illegal aliens in the U.S. each year. One of Mexico's largest revenue streams (after exports and oil sales) consists of money sent home by legal immigrants and illegal aliens working in the U.S. Economists say this will help Mexico reduce its $17.8 billion defecit and may bolster the peso. $10 billion dollars (as of 2003) are sent back to Mexico annually, according to the Pew Hispanic Center, reported in an Associated Press article, up $800 million from the previous year. ($9 billion dollars were previously sent back annually, according to a September 25, 2002 NPR report). That figure equals what Mexico earns annually from tourism. This is a massive transfer of wealth from America - essentially from America's displaced working poor - to Mexico. A May 28, 2004 study by Bendixen & Associates6 found that legal and illegal immigrants send a total of $30 billion to their home countries on an annual basis. Mexico receives $13.3 billion a year. The largest amount in remittances ($9.6 billion) is sent from California, followed by New York ($3.6 billion), Texas ($3.2 billion) and Florida ($2.5 billion). Of those surveyed by the study, 24% were Latin American-born U.S. citizens, 39% were legal residents, and 32% were illegal aliens. Sixty-one per cent of those surveyed send remittances overseas at least once a month. A typical remittance is between $150 and $250.
Remittances
"The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion." Frederick Douglass
#15. To: Zipporah (#4)
I still like it, but my wife knows how to make it, and we know how to grow our own tomatoes, garlic, onions, cilantro, and peppers. Don't need Mexicans to eat Mexican food. :-)
I used to like Mexican food.. no longer..
#16. To: Zipporah (#14)
I didn't have a hard opinion one way or the other until this past year. It started when I worked for the hospital in CA that was bankrupt and up for sale due to the uncollectable debts that the illegals ran up there. It's still up for sale because no one in their right mind is going to buy a hospital in an illegal saturated area that has no hope of getting paid for it's services. When I saw the marches, which pissed me off to no end when I saw THEIR flag on our streets, I did some more research and found those stats. Now I do have a hard opinion and it's not the one they were shooting for with their marches. Everyone take note, CNN has this: Some big businesses are shutting down operations, corporate spokesmen said: Six of 14 Perdue Farms plants will close; Gallo Wines in Sonoma, California, is giving its 150 employees the day off; Tyson Foods Inc., the world's largest meat producer, will shut five of its nine beef plants and four of six pork plants. All in support for Monday's boycott. http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/30/immigration.boycott.ap/index.html
Impeach Bush. The man was lost and then he was found and now he's more lost than ever -- and he's taking us into the darkness with him. It's time to remove him. By Garrison Keillor [2006-03-01]
#17. To: who knows what evil (#15)
I know..now it just sticks in my 'craw'.. ;P
I still like it, but my wife knows how to make it, and we know how to grow our own tomatoes, garlic, onions, cilantro, and peppers. Don't need Mexicans to eat Mexican food. :-)
"The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion." Frederick Douglass
#18. To: justlurking (#16)
When I saw the marches, which pissed me off to no end when I saw THEIR flag on our streets, I did some more research and found those stats. Now I do have a hard opinion and it's not the one they were shooting for with their marches. Everyone take note, CNN has this: Some big businesses are shutting down operations, corporate spokesmen said: Six of 14 Perdue Farms plants will close; Gallo Wines in Sonoma, California, is giving its 150 employees the day off; Tyson Foods Inc., the world's largest meat producer, will shut five of its nine beef plants and four of six pork plants. All in support for Monday's boycott. I wonder how many hospitals have closed for the same reason?? Horrible.. Oh thats nice.. Perdue AND Tyson?? You should go to GA.. tons of poultry farms ..packing plants.. TONS of illegals.. I think I read GA had the fastest growing illegal population in the states!!
I didn't have a hard opinion one way or the other until this past year. It started when I worked for the hospital in CA that was bankrupt and up for sale due to the uncollectable debts that the illegals ran up there. It's still up for sale because no one in their right mind is going to buy a hospital in an illegal saturated area that has no hope of getting paid for it's services.
"The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion." Frederick Douglass
#19. To: Zipporah (#18)
They do and it has devasted the school systems there. Particularily in Gwinett County.
I think I read GA had the fastest growing illegal population in the states!!
Impeach Bush. The man was lost and then he was found and now he's more lost than ever -- and he's taking us into the darkness with him. It's time to remove him. By Garrison Keillor [2006-03-01]
#20. To: Zipporah (#0)
Congress doesn't buy work boots, idiot.
But Congress will "notice that we exist."
#21. To: justlurking (#19)
Frick.. There is a town in GA dont recall the name ..but it's like going thru Tijuana!! Everything in Spanish.. unreal..
They do and it has devasted the school systems there. Particularily in Gwinett County.
"The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion." Frederick Douglass
#22. To: Zipporah (#21)
It won't be long before all of Georgia resembles South Florida.
Impeach Bush. The man was lost and then he was found and now he's more lost than ever -- and he's taking us into the darkness with him. It's time to remove him. By Garrison Keillor [2006-03-01]
#23. To: Zipporah (#0)
Let's have a day without Americans and see how everything goes..
#24. To: Lady X (#23)
You know if Americans would do that.. boycott for a day or so ..no purchases no work.. you'd see things change but most would never do it.. unfortunately.
Let's have a day without Americans and see how everything goes..
"The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion." Frederick Douglass
#25. To: Zipporah, justlurking (#24)
It would only take a 3 day general strike to make Wal-Mart close its doors. They could NEVER stand the cash flow crunch and would lose millions on perishables like produce and meat. If the whole country got the BLUE FLU for three days, Bush would be out on his ear the next week. The corporations would be howling mad that Bush could not keep it from happening. Just think of the fuel savings if everyone stayed home. The oil companies would be wallowing in excess fuel.
You know if Americans would do that.. boycott for a day or so ..no purchases no work.. you'd see things change but most would never do it.. unfortunately.
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue! Sen. Barry Goldwater
#26. To: BTP Holdings (#25)
Then WTF are we waiting for..
#27. To: Lady X (#25)
Ooops, I wanted to PING you also.
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue! Sen. Barry Goldwater
#28. To: Lady X (#26)
All of the idiots out there who are living from pay check to pay check and falling further behind on credit card payments. Just wait until the negative home equity starts to heat up and mopre people lose their shirts when their motgage payment doubles or triples. We will have plenty of volunteers at that point. It's coming, very soon.
Then WTF are we waiting for..
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue! Sen. Barry Goldwater
#29. To: justlurking, *you gotta be shitting me* (#16)
All in support for Monday's boycott. Some big businesses are shutting down operations, corporate spokesmen said: Six of 14 Perdue Farms plants will close; Gallo Wines in Sonoma, California, is giving its 150 employees the day off; Tyson Foods Inc., the world's largest meat producer, will shut five of its nine beef plants and four of six pork plants.
"Of the corporate elites, by the corporate elites, for the corporate elites" - it's what America is all about. Now send your kids off to fight and die in Iraq so that corporate pigs get everything and we get nothing. What else have we ever fought for?~~Elliott J
#30. To: Zipporah (#21)
Impeach Bush. The man was lost and then he was found and now he's more lost than ever -- and he's taking us into the darkness with him. It's time to remove him. By Garrison Keillor [2006-03-01]
#31. To: christine (#29)
I'm glad they named names. I'll be doing some boycotting of my own on grocery day from now on.
Impeach Bush. The man was lost and then he was found and now he's more lost than ever -- and he's taking us into the darkness with him. It's time to remove him. By Garrison Keillor [2006-03-01]
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