Thousands rally against Ga. immigration law
Thousands of people march through downtown Atlanta in protest against Georgia's strict new immigration law, Saturday, July 2, 2011. / AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
ATLANTA — Thousands of marchers stormed the Georgia Capitol on Saturday to protest the state's new immigration law, which they say creates an unwelcome environment for people of color and those in search of a better life.
Men, women and children of all ages converged on downtown Atlanta for the march and rally, cheering speakers while shading themselves with umbrellas and posters from the blazing summer sun. Capitol police and organizers estimated that between 8,000 and 14,000 protesters gathered. They filled the blocks around the Capitol, holding signs decrying House Bill 87 and reading "Immigration Reform Now!"
Friends Jessica Bamaca and Melany Cordero held a poster that read: "How would you feel if your family got broken apart?"
Bamaca was born in the U.S., but her mother and sister are from Guatemala. She said she fears they will be deported.
"I would be here by myself," said Bamaca, 13. "I have a feeling (the governor) doesn't know the pain affecting families. If he were to be in our position, how would he react?"
Azadeh Shahshahani of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia called the rally inspiring and said she hoped lawmakers would recognize the law's potential to damage the state.
"I think it's going to have an impact," she said. "Unfortunately, the damage has already been done as far as people of color having second thoughts about moving to Georgia."
Several different groups stood with the largely Latino crowd, including representatives from the civil rights movement. The Rev. Timothy McDonald, an activist who has been supportive of immigration protesters, was among the speakers showing his solidarity.
"You are my brothers and my sisters," McDonald told the crowd. "Some years ago, they told people like me we couldn't vote. We did what you are doing today. We are going to send a message to the powers that be ... that when the people get united, there is no government that can stop them. Don't let them turn you around."
Saturday's rally follows a "day without immigrants" organized Friday, when some parts of the law took effect. It was organized by the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights. The organization asked businesses to close and community members not to work or shop to protest the law.
On Monday, a judge temporarily blocked key parts of the law until a legal challenge is resolved. One provision that was blocked authorizes police to check the immigration status of suspects without proper identification. It also authorizes them to detain illegal immigrants. Another penalizes people who knowingly and willingly transport or harbor illegal immigrants while committing another crime.
Parts of similar measures in Arizona, Utah and Indiana also have been blocked by the courts.
Provisions that took effect Friday include one that makes it a felony to use false information or documentation when applying for a job. Another provision creates an immigration review board to investigate complaints about government officials not complying with state laws related to illegal immigration.
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"So, it's pretty easy to calculate the $1 trillion it would cost to send them out of the country."
Well, I must not be all that bright by your standards then.
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For openers the IMMIGRATION CASE backlog is around a year in most places and once the round-up you desire starts there will be 6 times more cases every year for 10 years -- 6 times more judges, court rooms, prosecutors, investigators, etc -- $100 Billion a year sounds like a bargain. Unless of course as stated days ago you plan to incarcerate these people until they are deported. That's around AN ADDITIONAL 1/2 a trillion for food and medical care along how much more will creating 6 times more detention facilities staffed to care for all the prisoners the government has to incarcerate based again in your criteria approaching another 1/2 trillion maybe. When you contribute the funds or get congress to appropriate them in accordance with your wishes ICE has the plan to achieve your goals in 10 years. I tale it you will be supporting haveing a large ICE detention faclilty built in your own neighborhood to speed the process of deporting these illegals; right dan?
And with unemployment at the levels we are at I am sure many, many people would take the jobs that we SUPPOSEDLY won't do. I am only 27 and I remember many hot summers working our family farm in texas for 15 hours a day 6 days a week. Cut off all of the free handouts and people will have to take the jobs they can get.
I have read thru the comments and your tired, old copy and pasted comment is very boring. Exactly where in my argument did I suggest some Gestapo organization go house to house and round up all illegals. When they are found they should be deported. Our borders should be secured, as any sovereign nation should.
Enforce all the laws all the time.
To all of you that say they pay taxes. Ya gotta have a SS number...oh that's right they have one.......yours..How do you like getting a notice from the IRS for a dozen 1099's, how do you like your credit rating being trashed. How do you like them demanding our laws be changed..why not go home and do the same thing. Don't let the door hit you in the a@@ on the way home. Get outta here. We don't need the burden that you bring with you. Our loyalty is to OUR citizens. Not your law breaking......