Robert Gittleson: Observations from the May 1st “Full Rights For All Immigrants” march and rally in Downtown Los Angeles, sponsored by the May 1st Coalition

There were May Day marches for immigration reform across the United States today, including in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York  and many other cities. The numbers did not approach the hundreds of thousands who took to the streets in the spring 2006.  Still, thousands did march.  Here is an ImmigrationProf exclusive from Robert Gittleson who marched and spoke at a march in Los Angeles: 

There were six separate immigration marches and rallies held in Los Angeles today. The main two were the CHIRLA rally starting in Echo Park, next to Downtown Los Angeles. The other, which I attended and spoke at, was held in the middle of downtown L.A., with the rally in front of the Los Angeles City Administration building. This rally was sponsored by the May 1st Coalition The May 1st Coalition includes Latino Movement USA, Hermandad Mexicana Nacional, COFEM, and roughly 20 other Immigrant Rights Organizations and Labor Unions.

What struck me immediately upon arriving at the march starting point, was the preponderance of media trucks, reporters, and camera people. They were everywhere. Specifically, I mention this because at the last rally a month ago, I was critical of the lack of “mainstream” media at the event. This was entirely different, because all media showed up in spades, not only the Hispanic media, but NBC, CBS, ABC, and several local television channels, radio stations, and print media. I note this because, after all, what is the use of holding a rally, if nobody knows about it except the participants? While I understand that it is important to convey messages to each other, we don’t want to “only” preach to the choir.

This was an uplifting and positive event. There were no anti-immigrant protestors in sight. The mood was hopeful and brotherly. Everyone that I observed seemed happy to be part of the experience. It was, more than anything, festive.

The speakers, myself included, spoke of the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform. The sense was that reform was within our grasp, but that we all needed to do our part to make it happen. The rally was very professionally supervised, and it ran like a Swiss clock.

I can’t help but feel that this time around, the anti-immigrant machine has a fair fight on their hands. Last time they out-hustled, and out-propagandized the forces for change. This time around, while I believe that they are gearing up for a full frontal assault, the extremely vocal minority network of anti-immigration groups, such as NumbersUSA, CIS, ALIPAC, and Minuteman, will not find us wanting. It pleases me to say that I believe that we are ready. I do not want to paraphrase President Bush, and say, “Bring it on!” However, should they bring it on, and they will, they will find a united majority of thoughtful citizens, and want-to-be citizens, ready to debate this issue with the facts, fairness, and momentum on our side.