Did the illegal immigration protests galvanize whites to act?
541218
The protests have an un-wanted effect on Americans period.\nNot just white people.\nThere protests sent a messgae of how much they dislike this country. That does not help their cause one bit.
396321
No, they just play the race card because the socialist wing of the latino movement is trying to manipulate the common American hispanic into allowing citizenship for illegal aliens.  If you'd asked most American hispanics about their view of illegal aliens prior to this fracas, I bet most would've been in favor of sending the illegals back home.  But now that the marxist/socialists haven gotten a hold of the issue they've confused the topic with their rhetoric.  \n\nThe goal of these socialists is the delude the average all-American hispanic into letting the 10 million illegals get citizenship, and then the socialists bank at the election box on the imported socialism from Mexico.  The typical Mexican-American is not pro-socialist, and I don't think they realize they're being manipulated.\n\nAnd if you don't think they are socialist, just do some checking into the leaders' backgrounds.
1005311
They became the focus when they became demanding, protested by waving their flag  (the MEXICAN flag)  and generally UNCIVILIZED! When they abused our welfare systems, brought in filthy diseases, gangs, criminals, pedophiles, drug dealers, sucked our economy of BILLIONS ANNUALLY and sent money OUT of the USA (lost revenue that the USA will NEVER get back). When they protested for rights they DON'T have nor are qualified for, flew their county's flag ABOVE ours, disrespect our laws, our leaders, our citizens, call us names, claim land that is NOT theirs, ...and MORE!! Americans need to get their heads out of THEIR BUTTS (YOU INCLUDED) and PAY ATTENTION!! The problem IS partly our government, but those ILLEGAL immigrants KNEW they were breaking our laws, they have to be held accountable for their own actions. Ignorance of the law is NO EXCUSE!! They need to go back across the border in a Southern direction and take all their 30 relative s with them and not let the border gates hit them in the A$$ on their way OUT!!\n \nYou don't see illegal Irish, German, Asians, Italians acting so demanding and uncivilized!! We can tolerate their intelligence and civility better. They are just as guilty of breaking the law and should get legal or go home just the same.\n\nreal_sweetheart_76....  You cannot justify the illegal immigrants breaking our laws by comparing it to 9/11!! They are totally different issues!! Both are illegal, the illegal immigrants are still ILLEGAL!!!!  Irrelevant issues, duh.\n\n♪♥bored♣♫ They are very intolerant of those who come into Mexico from their southern border. They shoot them!! Yet, WE are expected to tolerate those who come to the USA ILLEGALLY across OUR borders?!!! And then give them all our country has on a silver platter!! I DON'T THINK SO!!!
370197
That would have been difficult, if not impossible. First, those demonstrations were in many different cities. Second, it's against the law to use the Army for police work (because of the posse comitatus act). Most importantly, though, many of those protesting were not immigrants. Some, many, were U.S. citizens protesting on the behalf of the immigrants. They're not required to carry proof of citizenship on them. so sorting them from the illegal immigrants would have been impossible. But even if all of those other things were not true, it would have been politically disastrous to round up mass quantities of people behving in an orderly manner.
524269
I would probably feel differently. If they humbly asked for legalization, I think the American government and people would be more accepting than if they demanded rights (like voting) as they still are. The main problem is the way they're taking a position. If they want to become legal citizens, they should prove that they want to play fair and by the rules of the United States. I don't think the protests helped them.
450526
There is a way to stop it but Americans are too lazy to do it.  Look at how effective the united protests by the Mexicans were?  Americans have a propensity to just sit on their butts and complain without taking any action.  If millions gathered throughout the U.S. to protest illegal immigration, our politicians would take notice and do something fast.  Remember, there is an election coming, and politicians care more about votes than anything else.
806105
Obviousy not, based on some of these answers.  I fear that many whites will see it as a sign that they are losing dominance and use it as an excuse to attack minorities.  This is what usually happens when there is a visual representation of racial progress.  \n\nThe monument is a symbol.  Symbols do not change what is in people's hearts,unfortunately.
618384
I have the solution! Give this land back to it's right full occupants!From the very day that the white man stepped on our shores,he began to pollute the land,air and waters,use up all the natural resources.The gov. decided it would be a better life for the Indians to live on a reservation.And when the Indians resisted they began the slaughter of the men,women and children of our Great Indian Tribes!All in the name of "progress" you see if anyone has the right to be upset over the immigration laws,it surely should not be "the white immigrants"
1003185
There is controversy. I know someone who had to teach the foreigner who was taking her job what to do. It's rough up here in the Mitten, but how can one protest against something going on overseas when it's easier to protest what's going on at home?\n\nAfter all, we need jobs here NOW. Illegal immigrants are taking away those chances. We also need the jobs overseas, but we can't be immediately affected by them (in terms of, if the owners said they'll come back, they won't be back for months or maybe years.)
188829
If you're talking about American Indians, there were a number of acts passed by Congress, the most notorious being the Termination Act.  It called for the elimnation of Indian Reservations and turning us indians into white folks....the ultimate melting pot trick.  Thankfully, we stood up to them..yah, ....
391830
On March 17, 2006, an estimated 25,000 illegals from Ireland marched boldly in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in NY without fear of any enforcement of our immigration laws. I told my friends at the time: this unchecked in-your-face, "we demand respect" display by illegals will embolden them to demand they be given a free pass and when that doesn't happen, it will reach the point of violence.\n\nOn March 24, 2006, hundreds of high school students in LA walked out of their classrooms to protest the newest piece of completely unnecessary immigration legislation by the incompetent fools in Congress. Within hours 15,000 criminals (illegals) were marching in Phoenix and roughly 10,000 in Georgia.\n(Seems Fairly ORGANIZED)\n On March 25, 2006, waving their Mexican flags chanting the same worn out "racist" garbage and demanding their "rights" 50,000 of these criminals marched in Denver, thousands in North Carolina and here in Sacramento. All because the House of Representatives has passed legislation that would make it a felony to be in the U.S. illegally, impose new penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants and erect fences along one-third of the U.S.-Mexican border.\n\n(AGAIN Seems Fairly ORGANIZED On A NATIONAL Level)\n \nThe counterfeit Senate is to begin their bickering on March 28, 2006.\n\nOur economy will not fail by rounding up illegals and deporting them. \nOn ABC This Week, March 26, 2006, weasel Arlen Specter, hauled out the other big lie, "We have created a need for these workers who will do the work Americans won't." \n\nBull. Once we begin to deport these criminals, Americans \nwill step in and do the jobs - jobs that have been taken away from them because employers have turned a blind eye to the law and are looking for cheap labor. As for Arlen Specter: why is he still sitting on his backside doing nothing while banks in this country are knowingly and aggressively violating federal law by giving home mortgages to criminals (illegals). Congress and the Department of Justice are simply ignoring this outrage, yet Specter blathers on the stupid tube that these 15 million plus criminals should be given a free pass.\n\n According to Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), who is head of the \nCongressional Immigration Reform Caucus, \n  \n"Massive immigration of low-skilled, low-wage workers ... \ndepresses wage rates for people who are at the low economic end of the scale. ... \nThe overall effect will be the decline of the living standard of every American, \nor most Americans."\n\nIllegal immigration cuts into the wages of American workers. \nAccording to Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), who is head of the \nCongressional Immigration Reform Caucus, \n  \n"Massive immigration of low-skilled, low-wage workers ... \ndepresses wage rates for people who are at the low economic end of the scale. ... \nThe overall effect will be the decline of the living standard of every American, \nor most Americans."\n\nAccording to TNRIP, the financial cost of this foreign invasion to U.S. taxpayers \nis staggering! Here is a break down of the annual costs: \n\nEducation: $22.5 billion \nBi-lingual Education: $3.3 billion \nAFDC: $2.4 billion \nSSI: $2.9 billion \nSocial Security: $24.8 billion \nHousing Assistance: $2.6 billion \nCriminal Justice: $2.6 billion \nJobs Lost by Americans: $10.8 billion \nOther Programs: $51.4 billion \nFood Stamps: $7 billion \nHealth Care: $1.4 billion \n\nTom Tancredo was the other guest on the aforementioned show and he said it right: We don't need any new laws, enforce the immigration laws that are already on the books.\n\nThis IS what's coming right to your neighborhood: One of these days in the near future, these millions of illegals are going to become berserkers. It is the intention of Mexicans to "reclaim" the four border states and merge them back with Mexico and they are willing to do it with violence. These 15 million
414556
Absolutely not! Has nothing to do with race. Canadians (white) have plenty of people living illegally in the states, though they don't flood the US. I am against ALL ILLEGAL immigration or any law breaking:\nI got this in the email today, and I wanted to share. This was a bit racist to me but had alot of truth in it:\n----------------------------------\nDear President Bush: \nI'm about to plan a little trip with my family and extended family, and I would like to ask you to assist me. I'm going to walk across the border from the U.S. into Mexico, and I need to make a few arrangements. I know you can help with this. \n\nI plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration quotas and laws. I'm sure they handle those things the same way you do here. So, would you mind telling your buddy, President Vicente Fox, that I'm on my way? \n\nPlease let him know that I will be expecting the following: \n1. Free medical care for my entire family. \n\n2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not. \n\n3. All government forms need to be printed in English. \n\n4. I want my kids to be taught by English-speaking teachers. \n\n5. Schools need to include classes on American culture and history. \n\n6. I want my kids to see the American flag flying on the top of the flag pole at their school with the Mexican flag flying lower down. \n\n7. Please plan to feed my kids at school for both breakfast and lunch. \n\n8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services. \n\n9. I do not plan to have any car insurance, and I won't make any effort to learn local traffic laws. \n\n10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from Pres. Fox to leave me alone, please be sure that all police officers speak English. \n\n11. I plan to fly the U.S. flag from my house top, put flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals. \n\n12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, and don't enforce any labor laws or tax laws. \n\n13. Please tell all the people in the country to be extremely nice and never say a critical word about me, or about the strain I might place on the economy. I know this is an easy request because you already do all these things for all the people who come to the U.S. from Mexico. I am sure that Pres. Fox won't mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely. However, if he gives you any trouble, just invite him to go quail hunting with your V.P. \n\nThank you so much for your kind help. \n\nSincerely, David M. Bresnahan
970484
The May 1, Illegal Rally was the day America woke up!\n\nThe backlash was phenomenal!  Organizations like the Minutemen, Numbers USA, Fire Coalition, Grass Fire, the Patriot, and others have grown in huge numbers and are receiving lots of donations from loyal Americans.  Did you see where the Minutemen received a multi-million dollar donation to built the fence?\n\nKeep on Going, AMERICA....the movement has begun like a ripple in a pond and will continue until it reaches the power of a tsunami!
588052
yes. These illegals and their supporters are blaming Americans of all colors for their pitiful existence and using this blame as an excuse to condone and justify illegal activity.
845793
Sorry.......no.  If you're refering to illegals that take low paying jobs or bid low on jobs...then they have done it to themselves.  I knew that would be the next line of doo-do.  They came here illegally and willingly took whatever job they wanted.  No one forced them.  They volunteered their services.  If there's "segragation" it's on their part for not wanting to assimilate in this country.  They seperate themselves with their language and all the talk about "their" people.  So that trip won't fly either.
646272
The purpose of the protests is to show the power of the "immigrant community" by boycotting businesses and turning up for rallies in large numbers.\n\nThe organizers have done an excellent job of convincing a huge number of people that this is an anti-immigrant (legal and illegal) issue, not an illegal immigration issue.\n\nUnfortunately for the organizers, here in Southern California the only visible effect on the community at large was that rush hour was a breeze.  The freeways were as empty as if it had been a weekend.\n\nThe economic impact was mainly in the Hispanic communities as all of their businesses were shut down for the day.  Outside of that, they world moved on just fine.
592506
You'll find a lot of black racism, they've made a fortune on selling other african-americans the 'poor me' spiel, 'whitey' is their oppressor, and now here comes mexico to steal that welfare check etc. People are lazy, greedy, and stupid, including a lot of blacks, but mexicans and whites are right behind em. The keys to success are hard work, a savings plan, and the determination to be successful to begin with. Everything else is a lot of political hyperbole, and everybody's selling something...\nwhat we need in america is a level playing field with a paucity of handouts as part of its' foundation. If you wanna work, fine, get a job and earn and save your money. If you wanna sit on your ass and complain, well, Darwin's a real bastard, and you'll get cold out there come wintertime.