Day Without a Mexican" Seen as Protesting Arizona Law Author: Forsyth- WOAI
2010-05-13
Today is 'A Day Without a Mexican,' as designated by Chambers of Commerce in northern Mexico as a response to the tough illegal immigration law in Arizona, 1200 WOAI news reports.
The chambers are encouraging people across several northern Mexico states not to enter the United states today to shop or to do business, and to withhold their patronage from any U.S. companies.
The name is a reference to the 2004 movie of the same name which portrays Mexican Americans withholding their labor in the US.
Ramiro Cavazos, President of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, says he understands the frustrations of Mexicans and Mexican Americans.
"The only was we're going to se the impact that these types of bad laws have is to point out the economic impact along the border," Cavazos said.
As much as 90% of the economies of Texas border communities is based on trade with Mexico. Today's one day protest is seen as symbolic, but Cavazos says it points out how interrelated our economies are.
"I respect their decision and I think it shows that this is an economic issue and not an immigration issue," he said.
San Antonio's Mayor later today is expected to demonstrate the city's opposition to the Arizona law, but San Antonio is not expected to go as far as some major cities like Los Angeles and boycott Arizona companies.
