La Voz

Issue date: 4/24/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Kayla Hilton Protesters, surrounding some Aztec dancers, march into Guadalupe River Park

May 8, 2006


At least 100,000 immigrants and their supporters marched in downtown San Jose in support of the Great American Boycott on May 1. Protesters, mostly wearing white shirts, filled the streets from Tropicana to Guadalupe River Park as they marched along Santa Clara Street.

There was only one arrest that day, but it was unrelated to the march, said San Jose police.

Some marchers risked their jobs to attend the protest. Agustin Mercado, 32, was dressed in a chef's hat and jacket and handing out free hot dogs. He said his boss threatened to fire anyone who didn't attend work that day.

"I still came because this is more important. I'll see if I have a job tomorrow," said Mercado. Other protesters gave out free bottled water.

There were also counter-demonstrators with anti-immigration posters.

"I think [the counterdemonstrators are] stupid," said Ester Hernandez, 21. "They say immigrants are stealing their jobs, but they would never do those jobs," he said.

This protest also attracted a number of youth. "This is the first protest I've been to," said Cecilia Hernandez, 19.

"I came to this march because it affects my family and me. I'm Mexican and my family members are immigrants including my mom. This protest is surprisingly fun and exciting. Si se puede!" she said.

Daniel Ruiz, 14, agreed. "I'm glad I came ... to support immigrants so they can have equal rights. They deserve to live their life free and not have to be on the run all the time."

Many of those who marched wore white shirts that read "Unidos estamos, unidos nos quedamos," meaning "United we are, united we'll stay."

White was the unofficial dress code of the protest. The most common chant that day was "Si se puede!" meaning "Yes we can!" It was originally used during Cesar Chavez's farm worker movement.

But the protesters also made up their own slogans such as "Today we march, tomorrow we vote!" or "You love my food, why don't you like me?"

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools