Immigration Rally Takes Positive Tone

Focus Was On Progress And Potential At D.C. Demonstration

(CBS) 

Margie Rodriguez, whose parents came to the United States from Puerto Rico, has been a District of Columbia resident for decades. She has owned an insurance agency in the densely Hispanic-populated neighborhood of Adams Morgan of Washington for 22 years. During that time, she has seen clients who came to her as illegal immigrant years ago, wanting only auto insurance, transform their lives. They not only became legal, she explained, they've bought their own homes and even started their own businesses.

"I’m even seeing clients come in who are buying second homes," Rodriguez said. With success stories like those "happening even more" now, Rodriguez pointed out that "there are a lot of positives" and "we should try to look at things from a more positive perspective."

For that reason, Hidalgo says that while there are calls for a national strike on May 1, proceeding with a walkout would not be productive at this point.

"We would use a strike only if we became more desperate and wanted to grind things to a halt," Hidalgo said. It's not a good idea to strike "while folks are listening to you," she added.

While the idea of a boycott had come up months ago, people were more responsive to the idea of a rally instead. Hidalgo said the idea was to "keep educating people about our commonalities," rather than trying to "send a strong message about economic impact."

Once Congress returns from its two-week recess at the end of the month, a decision will be made about holding a strike. Hidalgo is doubtful such a boycott will happen — and he hopes that it won't. "May Day" is, after all, a significant day for the labor movement, and striking then would be far too politically charged.

More important, Hidalgo believes it's too soon to strike; a walkout, he said, could imperil "the fact that we've been able to keep unity this long."