I am not in support of this party & I do not support any of the Illegal Immigration Protests that have been held Down Town Los Ageles. I cannot see supporting something that starts off with the word Illegal!!!
Lets get the people that we elected to do a job to get some work done and actually do some work! REFORM REFORM REFORM!!!!!
Buck
BSRancher
Amid protests, Cinco de Mayo '06 should prove rich
| A ragtag band of about 4,500 ill-equipped and little-trained Mexican peasants turned back a vastly superior elite force of 6,500 by sheer grit and spirit. That was 144 years ago today: the fifth of May, Cinco de Mayo. A least some of their descendants showed similar audacity and spunk Monday and in days past challenging an immigration reform bill stalled in Congress. As a result, this traditional party holiday for Mexicans and Mexican Americans is expected to have a richer sense of pride and purpose for the Inland Empire’s burgeoning Latino population. "It’s perfect timing,’’ said Herman Nunez, who played soccer at Rialto Park late Thursday. "Right now, it’s like Hispanics everywhere have found our voice and are asserting our rights. Our culture is a big part of what America is.’’ Although no protests are slated this weekend against legislation deadlocked in the U.S. Senate, leading area activists say Cinco de Mayo celebrations will keep their cause at the forefront of national consciousness. At the same time, the Latino groundswell triggered by a House bill that sought to make illegal residency a felony has reinvigorated the holiday itself, said UC Riverside professor and longtime activist Armando Navarro. "Cinco de Mayo has been overcorporatized in America, prostituted commercially and had lost its flavor politically,’’ Navarro said. "But now many people will see it more clearly for what it is, a celebration of the Mexican people standing up for themselves.’’ In Rialto, where a three-day Cinco de Mayo carnival starts tonight, none among the dozen or so workers hoisting, erecting and tuning the massive carnival rides Thursday said this year’s event would be any different. But attendance could be, said Ted Holcomb, owner of the promotions company touting the carnival. He’s expecting to build on the 20,000 who attended last year’s event, at least in part because of the recent protests. "The place and the time couldn’t be better for our Latino-themed festival,’’ Holcomb said. ‘ At the Convention Center at Big Bear Lake,director Monica Marini busily prepped the center for a weekend festival, the turnout was expected to be stronger and more diverse. "We are getting so many calls from people interested, but they’re from all backgrounds,’’ Marini said. "It doesn’t feel political, it’s just maybe a notch more interest and celebration.’’ The sentiment was common among those not intimately invested in this year’s unprecedented Latino movements. Many government and business leaders said they expect a typically festive Cinco de Mayo, but bigger. San Bernardino City Councilman Rikke Van Johnson plans to ride the wave of interest and energy at the city’s downtown parade Saturday. "I think (the protest) will stay separate from Cinco de Mayo,’’ Van Johnson said. "But with it coming so close on the heals of (the protest), I think there will be a lot more awareness in the city.’’ Some celebrations began early Thursday afternoon. At Arroyo Valley High School in San Bernardino, students enjoyed a Cinco de Mayo festival of music and dance in the school’s auditorium. The performance was held early because of the coming weekend and standardized testing. Campana Alma, who has taught social studies for 17 years, helped organize the event. She said the day and the heightened awareness presented an opportunity to celebrate Latino culture. "I think the students have in their minds the difference between Cinco de Mayo and what happened Monday,’’ Alma said. But leaders like Navarro, who heads the National Alliance for Human Rights, a Riverside-based immigrant-rights organization, said "The day is rediscovering its political flavor. The new mood is a reflection of the people, and the day is seen as a day of celebration of a great battle, and now we’re fighting a nonviolent battle in defense of our people again.’’ What: Cinco de Mayo Parade Where: San Bernardino, Starts at 10th Street and runs along Mount Vernon [Route 66]. When: 10 a.m. Saturday How Much: Free for all Notes: All are welcome to enjoy the parade with music and dancing What: Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Where: Rialto Park at the Northeast Corner of Riverside Avenue and San Bernardino Street When: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday; 1 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. How Much: Admission is free Notes: Outdoor event will feature carnival games and rides, live music and food What: Bear Valley Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Where: Bear Valley Convention Center on Big Bear Blvd When: 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday; noon to 1 a.m. Sunday. How Much: $8 to $10 per day; children 12 and under free Notes: Event will feature Aztec dance troupe, live music, petting zoo, Mrs. Cinco de Mayo pageant and a margarita contest |
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