Immigrant Rights - The Protests and Walkouts are Growing Larger in Fresno:03-28-2006

San Francisco Indymedia
Original article is at
http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2006/03/1726320.php

by Mike Rhodes
Tuesday, Mar. 28, 2006 at 1:59 PM
MikeRhodes@Comcast.net 559 978-4502

In Fresno, the immigrant rights marches and walkouts by high school students are growing in strength and numbers. On Monday there were over 500 students at the march and rally. Today the estimates were as high as 6,000.

Immigrant Rights - The Protests and Walkouts are Growing Larger in Fresno
By Mike Rhodes

Estimates of the number of students at the immigrant rights marches and rally in downtown Fresno ranged wildly today. The Fresno Police Department captain on the scene estimated 2,000. The Reverend Floyd Harris, president of the California chapter of the National Action Network, estimated 6,000. What was certain is that thousands of students made their way downtown today, in the pouring rain, to protest against the anti-immigrant HR 4437 that is being discussed in Congress.

The march and rally was significantly larger than the spontaneous walkout and march, led by student activists yesterday.

See: http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2006/03/1726286.php for the story and pictures from that event. Today the students came from most, if not all, local high schools. The students gathered at City Hall, held a rally, marched to the Fulton Mall, and back to City Hall.

Shortly before Noon there were several splinter marches heading in various directions and you could hear chanting and the yelling of these massive marches all over the downtown area. Perhaps the largest contingent, once again, came from Fresno High. There arrival created an uproar from students who had already arrived that could be heard for blocks. One of the last groups to arrive was a group from Hoover High, which is at least 5 miles North of downtown.

While there was a massive police presence, there was no evidence of arrests taking place at this peaceful rally and march.
http://www.fresnoalliance.com/home
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After Midnight 04-04-2006
Comment: Ever since the recent Great Spiritual Awakening of 'La Raza Cosmica' in late March last month and in recent days and the spark ignited and timed from the Grande Marcha in Los Angeles on Marzo 25, 2006 and in other key cities, there has been a new great global awareness about immigrant rights and the power of La Raza/Latinos to influence the situation in the nation. In current events, we are seeing the biggest marches in Amerikan history!

A mass movement must move forward and cannot sustain itself for long by the magic of the moment. We must keep up the momentum in our own local 'barrios' and among our own 'familias' as we continue to elevate our collective consciousness. We should study and discuss about how all these issues about immigrant rights, student rights and humane rights in general has direct connections to the Amerikan Corporate Empire. It was no coincidence that Fuhrer Bush went to go see Mexican President Fox last weekend!

Flashback: Many moons ago in the late 60's when I was going to Sacramento Senior High School I helped organize, along with many other students and sympathetic adults, School Walkouts, picket lines and marches. I was doing work with the UFW Grape Boycott, in the Mexican-American Youth Association and a member of the Brown Berets. Past history is a general compass for present action and can guide our future direction.

We must take care of our health, stay straight and keep studying. A people who cannot read and write will never be completely liberated. The next round of elections is coming up! Vote for Christine Chavez! U.S. OUT OF IRAQ!

Venceremos! Si Se Puede!
Peter S. Lopez ~aka Peta
Humane Liberation Party
Sacramento, Califas, Aztlan
Email: sacranative@yahoo.com
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