- March 29, 2006 • 9:23 am PST
- + responses
If you don't live in Los Angeles, Phoenix, or other places where the recent protests have been centered, you haven't been hearing all that much about them. They're in the news, but it's no Million Man March. But half a million people protesting in LA (and one hundred thousand in Chicago) is no small potatoes. What has been very impressive has been the organizing capacity of Spanish-language media, which organized everything very rapidly and fairly under the radar.
The protests center on House Resolution 4437, which was introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin (big problem with illegal immigration up there in the Badger state, Jim?). The bill would, among other provisions, make being an illegal immigrant a felony. The Senate is now considering 4437, along with a friendlier, bi-partisan proposal that would let illegal immigrants stay after jumping through some hoops.
People closer to the protests: Do they seem to be having any effect in rallying public opinion? Have you even noticed? Are protests even a viable form of affecting change anymore?
Meanwhile, in France, they really know how to protest, er, riot.
