'The Great American Boycott May 1'

[Pred]

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AP) -- "The Great American Boycott" is spreading south of the border, as activists call for Mexicans to boycott U.S. businesses on May 1.

The protest is timed to coincide with a May 1 boycott of work and shopping in the United States that also has been dubbed "A Day Without Immigrants." The boycott, which grew out of huge pro-migrant marches across the United States, is designed to pressure Congress to legalize millions of undocumented people.

Mexican unions, political and community groups, newspaper columnists and even some Mexican government offices have joined the call in recent days.

"Remember, nothing gringo on May 1," advises one of the many e-mails being circulated among Internet users in Mexico.

"On May 1, people shouldn't buy anything from the interminable list of American businesses in Mexico," reads another. "That means no Dunkin' Donuts, no McDonald's, Burger King, Starbucks, Sears, Krispy Kreme or Wal-Mart."

For some it's a way to express anti-U.S. sentiment, while others see it as part of a cross-border, Mexican-power lobby.

In some cases, advocates incorrectly identified firms as American -- Sears stores in Mexico, for example, have been owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim since 1997.

And ironically, the protest targets the U.S. business community, which is one of the strongest supporters of legalization or guest-worker programs.

"At the end of the day, boycotting would only hurt corporations that are backing what people want done in the immigration bill," said Larry Rubin, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico. Rubin is encouraging people to write to their legislators instead of boycotting.

Roberto Vigil of the California-based immigrants rights group Hermandad Mexicana said his group has asked some of Mexico's largest labor unions to back the protest. Elias Bermudez, president of the Phoenix-based Immigrants Without Borders, is actively promoting the boycott in interviews with Mexican radio and television stations.

Mexican groups are responding. Pablo Gonzalez, spokesman for one of Mexico's largest labor unions, the Federation of Revolutionary Workers and Farmers, said his organization will support a boycott against "at least four of the most important U.S. firms, among them Wal-Mart," Mexico's largest retailer.

Two other major labor groups -- the telephone workers' and auto workers' unions -- also are expected to join, Vigil said.

Even parts of the Mexican government have signed onto the protest.

"We are not going to be buying any products from the United States on May 1," said Lolita Parkinson, national coordinator for the National Board of State Offices on Attention for Migrants, which represents state government-run migrant aid offices.

For some, the boycott is fueled not just by debate on the immigration bill, but by long-standing resentment over the perceived mistreatment of Mexicans in the United States.

"We want to show the power we have as Mexicans," said Carlos Chavez y Pacho, vice president of the chamber of commerce in Piedras Negras, across from Eagle Pass, Texas. Chavez y Pacho is also urging Mexicans not to shop in U.S. border cities on May 1, in part to protest what he calls arrogant behavior by U.S. customs officials and border officers.

Rafael Ruiz Harrell, who writes a column in the Mexico City newspaper Metro, predicted the boycott could give rise to a broader, pan-Latino movement.

"If we could get all of Latin America, for one day, to leave the U.S. firms without customers, we would be sending the kind of clear message they seem incapable of understanding," he wrote.

You know, as much as I dislike everyone, I'm really starting to hate mexicans.

[iflylow74]

We should boycott Mexican products!!! Oh wait, do they actually produce anything?? Oh yeah, there's Tequilla.....uh......Corona.....hmmm......and I guess marijuana. I guess I've been boycotting them my whole life!!!!

[Shaun]

no mex food

[jerry]

Here's a post with great potential to go south. Time to shut off the puter & go out and change the oil in the truck. 'Least I'll be doing something productive:nod:

[Pred]

This has pushed me to the point of being speechless in a reply. Something better be done about this before Americans start taking matters into their own hands. All its going to take is the bill to pass allowing all the illegals to become citizens(which will happen) and a few hundred thousand people to become jobless.

[Shaun]

that's okay I heard the local talk guy called the Immgration Services reporting line and they got someone in India

[Chris]

lol

I never understood these type of protests...you still have to buy stuff...either the day before or day after...the money will be made back

[Gio]

Lets just annex Mexico. Call it south Texas.

[fordruid]

Deport anyone not working on May 1st?

[Rave]

******cheer: :joker:


Please guys no working the comments around the filter.

[Full MeTal Jack]

Originally Posted by Pred

You know, as much as I dislike everyone, I'm really starting to hate mexicans.

Pred, kome-on?
I just bought parts for my Craftsman lawnmover. Made by Tecumseh. Parts are made in Mexico!
What we need to do is export unions and the EPA to the rest of the world to distribute misery equally.
Too bad the radical leftist "latinos" dont know their own history. They stole this land, California and the SW USA from the indians. They got it ALL Wrong! Boycott products made in Spain. :nod:
Therefore, Don't anyone buy a CTME parts kit 1 May. :uzi:
I'm going to buy something make in the USA 1 May 2006. (hmmm?)

[Pred]

What in the world is left to buy thats made in Amercia?

[SPOCAHP ANAR]

Originally Posted by Chris

I never understood these type of protests...you still have to buy stuff...either the day before or day after...the money will be made back

Right you are! Stock up today so I can not buy tomorrow?

[Rave]

I remember down here in Tampa town when a certain group of folks decided to pull a boycott over a week end.
We went shopping,man it was nice,no lines,you could hear yourself think,lots of attention from the clerks,good parking,no one creeping around the parking lot looking in the cars.
This was only in one shopping center,a large one and at the time we didn't even know it was happening until we got there.
Now when I hear folks threatening a boycot I polish up the credit cards and head for the mall.:nod: :right:

[Shaun]

actually the boycott would be better on May 5th as that is their holdiay and we don't need to recognize a mexican holiday in the USA

[dhermesc]

Originally Posted by Pred

What in the world is left to buy thats made in Amercia?

Happy Meals using Australian kangaroo meat.

We should boycott Mexican products!!! Oh wait, do they actually produce anything?? Oh yeah, there's Tequilla.....uh......Corona.....hmmm......and I guess marijuana. I guess I've been boycotting them my whole life!!!!

Number one export from Mexico - Mexicans.

[Rufus Rhastus J]

i wish i were boss!

[NRAJOE]

Originally Posted by Rufus Rhastus J

i wish i were boss!

SLAP!

[Stopper]

It's gonna get worse long before it ever gets better.

Besides, if I boycott everything mexican, I ain't gonna get any! My brown one already is giving me chit about that.

[SPOCAHP ANAR]

Originally Posted by Rufus Rhastus J

i wish i were boss!

You're Not? Then who is?