Essay 562

The protests are piling up.

On Saturday, up to 300,000 people marched in New York, speaking out against the war in Iraq. The VIPs included Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, actress Susan Sarandon and Cindy Sheehan. “We are here today because the war is illegal, immoral and unethical,” Sharpton said. “We must bring the troops home.”

Meanwhile, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 10,000 folks rallied to complain about political reforms. The crowd accused the president of creating and maintaining corruption. But the protesters peacefully dispersed when President Kurmanbek Bakiyev actually arrived and addressed the crowd.

The politicians in Mexico have no intention of meeting the masses, opting to remain neutral over the boycott and protests scheduled for May 1. Last Tuesday, President Vicente Fox’s government flew activists from the U.S. to Mexico City to announce it wouldn’t support or oppose the boycott.

Back in the U.S., politicians and police are bracing for nationwide rallies, boycotts, students ditching classes, legal/illegal employee absenteeism and more.

In Chicago, about 5,000 Muslims plan to join the marchers. They primarily want to support Muslims and non-Muslim Hispanics. A group spokesperson remarked, “We know what it feels like to be singled out.”

“It’s one of the biggest things to come along since demonstrations against the Vietnam War or in favor of civil rights legislation,’ said a professor at Southern Illinois University's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. “The numbers of people that the immigrant groups have been able to turn out is unprecedented. … The reaction on the other side has been visceral, too.”

“America’s strength lies in its pluralism,” said a pro-immigration leader.

“Something needs to be done. We can’t control our borders,” argued an immigration critic. Another hater remarked, “What this is about is disrespect for the rule of law and contempt for the sovereignty of the American people.”

“We are a nation of immigrants," said another pro-immigration official. “This entire rally is staged for the protection of human rights.”

Public transportation officials are warning riders about potential delays. Restaurants are closing down.

Grab your picket signs.