Marching to a different drummer

"600 Words by Esther J. Cepeda"

It’s that time of the year, folks.

The time when thousands of mostly-Hispanic defenders of immigrants’  rights will declare to non-Latino America how much they love and want to stay in the United States by marching around major cities bearing the flags of their homeland.

Yes, the time when the same people who will press you on the myriad ways immigrants thanklessly toil for this country, working endless hours in fields, restaurants, and factories, will skip work to parade through the streets en masse to call attention to their very existence.

Yep, the time when the same parents who look you in the eye and tell you they came to the U.S. to give their children hope for a bright future through the benefit of an American education will pull them out of school to stroll down crowded streets chanting “Si se puede” in the name of federal immigration law reform.

Yes, “yes they can.” But they shouldn’t.

In 2005 hundreds of thousands of Hispanic across the country, infuriated by the proposal of the Sensenbrenner bill which would have criminalized any one aiding illegal immigrants, rose up seemingly out of nowhere to say: “we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore!”

It is two years later; nothing and everything has changed, but the usual suspects are at it again – minus the fanfare. And actually, some of the usual suspects are nowhere to be found this year.

“Luis Gutierrez, he’s hiding, he says he’s going to be in Washington,” march mastermind Jorge Mujica of the March 10 Coalition, told me yesterday after a pre-manifestation press conference. “No Hillary, no Barack, either.” Mr. Mujica didn’t want to get too specific but did add, “Some Democrats told us not to march because it’s an election year, and we shouldn’t interfere with the democratic process.”

Really? After an unprecedented amount of hype was given to the effect of the “Latino vote” on the never-ending presidential race? Interesting.

Still, not to be denied, and despite America’s collective yawn on the immigration issue because of the tanking economy, the organizers of this year’s May Day marches have decided the show must go on.

This year’s indifference is what we would have seen last year had the Feds, in their infinite wisdom, not decided to raid a discount mall in the heart of Chicago’s extremely Mexican Little Village community, offering a national stage for activists to literally weep and gnash their teeth in the streets and on camera. No such luck this time.

Fast forward to 2008: march fatigue has clearly set in. Let’s face it, after the swift failure of immigration law reform last July – now dormant until well after the next American President is in place – it’s time to be more constructive.

Yes in 2005 the sleeping giant awoke, people came out of the shadows, and everyone who hadn’t noticed that their Chop Suey, escargot, and sushi is cooked by Mexicans paid attention. But it’s time to give it a rest.

This Thursday, making sure the kiddies don’t miss any reading time at school and demonstrating how much you want your job by actually showing up should be the order of the day.

Making Bob and Jane Smith burn several gallons of four-dollar gas while idling in their SUV as a few thousand rabble-rousers clog intersections yelling “march today, vote tomorrow” slogans isn’t going to change the laws any time soon. It’s been proven time and again.

“Esther J. Cepeda writes the “600 Words” & “Pregunta del Dia” columns, and is also a Director at the Chicago-based United Neighborhood Organization. Her reporting and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of UNO. “600 words” is a registered trademark of EeJayCee, Inc., Copyright 2008. May be reprinted with permission, contact eejaycee@600words.com

Comments

[Karen Ferb]

As much as I decry the horrendous murder that occurred in the Village of Patchogue last week, I feel anger because our village has been unfairly maligned. The perpetrators of that shocking crime were NOT, as you write, from the Village of Patchogue, but from Medford and East Patchogue.

[Bill]

Jaseena:

I offered to teach you how to play;

Bill

[jflores]

Esther,

Your article was obviously written with a sarcastic bend to it. Any other time I may have enjoyed it, however, this time the topic was ill chosen for this type of treatment, and you came across as disrespectful.

I am glad that Michael Hunt and the young Ruben Sanchez called you to the table on this so eloquently.

This is a topic near and dear to many of us who are immigrants, and understand the angst of being undocumented.

Better luck next time in your approach to such a complex issue. Give us more than 600 words. We can handle it.

[jose]

What a bunch of Uncle Tom's. Oh yes yes go be docile and serve. March in place and follow the leader blindly along, oh that's right, you don't march, but regurgitate rhetoric about how others are all about rhetoric, but not you, you like action. Writing is not action, especially when it comes from someone that is middle class and an academic. I too am middle class and an academic, which is why I would never tell working class people what to do. Instead I choose to lead with my actions because I do not want to be anyone's leader, but want my community to lead themselves. I am a teacher hoping for that by teaching my students. You ever spoken to an eight year old that had to swim across illegally and the fear in her words. and the fact that no one will ever see her face or care for her name. Yeah she shouldnt march and just remain anonymous. I march because I like being around people and think that as human beings it is an awesome feeling to see so many people marching together as one. Think of the feelings of awe and wonder children must feel to see so many people working peacefully together when that's not what goes on in their community. Think of the people that only get to go downtown when they march because the rest of the year they are relegated to roles of laborers and are too busy for it. No one thinks anything is going to change with a march, but it is the fact of the numbers that it's done. This will eventually evolve back to what May 1st is supposed to be, Day of the Worker, and now some middle class yuppies want to be like, "No you can't have your day. Keep on working, and show them how appreciative you are." Hahahahaha. That's so easy to say coming from professional types who get vacation time, personal and sick days. And before I get labeled some lefty commie, let me let you know I don't trust them either. The whole lot of Latino leaders have been nothing but opportunistic middle class brats trying to tell working class people what to do. From Castro to Salinas de Gotari to Noriega, to Bolivar. Go suck your lemons somewhere else, and let the rest of us enjoy the fruits of the Earth and of our labor.

[PRDiotas]

Mojica and the rest of PRD loonies in Chicago are preaching to teh choir when they protest against Gutierrez, Obama, and Clinton. Instead they should put the heat on representatives like Lipinski and his ilk who have large immigrant constituencies yet reject things like driver's licenses for the undocumented or allowing a path to citizenship. These march "organizers" have ann all or nothing agenda that makes them seem extreme to those whose votes are truly needed: the non-immigrant, white american voter.

[Juan T.]

Esther...great to see you writing again...you are
right on point...keep up the great work...

[Esther J. Cepeda]

this came to my inbox.
PRESS STATEMENT

United Voices for United Families No Time to March On A Mission:
To Fix the Broken Immigration System

The United Voices for United Families is a grass roots campaign that consists of a network of families working together because they are directly affected by the broken immigration laws. We as families being directly affected by the broken laws choose not to march on May 1st, 2008. Our respect goes to those grass roots groups who have tried in their best way to organize this march but have to now negotiate their hard work with those politicians who choose to deceive our people. We respect their decision to march for their beliefs.

But we the United Voices for United Families will not lead our families down a path to listen to the Prostitute Organizations who receive millions of dollars through federal funds to pimp our people for financial or political gain. We do not want to hear the lies from the empty words of the politicians who play politricks with our lives! Our families are not for negotiation! The podium will allow these politicians to feed words of deceit into our ears once again…we choose not to be hypocrites and stand and listen to these political figures who as of today have done absolutely nothing to change the horrible reality our families must live in.

We feel that we must all work diligently towards legislation that would allow a Humanitarian Legalization for All. It is in the House of Representatives & Senate that we should march on and shut down until our families are safe! We have a “President” who professes and justifies a war that will secure the freedom that God meant for all the Iraqi people to live in…yet here in the United States of America the Latino Immigrant has no freedom, he is hunted and criminalized in the name of Home Land Security right before his children that are born into the Land of the free and the home of the Brave. We will not be hypocrites and allow these politicians for another year to lie and disrespect the Mexicano!

America, she has been through the revolution, the civil war, the civil rights movement, economic slumps and now she finds herself right in the middle of the Immigration Rights Crisis…she is strong, she is democracy and she who has given birth to her children…we the Americans who live as mixed status families will come through this with flying colors. For, the browning of America has occurred…and those who do not like this fact, well maybe it is they who need to find another country to live in…for we have always been America we sat in her womb long before she was even given her name. For America, she listens to her children in the mud for we are the foundation of this land and no matter what--the truth will always come to the surface--and the truth is we are here to stay.

We leave this message to you “America” with the words of a great American President Woodrow Wilson:

“Liberty has never come from the Government. Liberty has always come from the subject of it. The history of liberty is a history of resistance.”

Siempre Adelante,

United Voices for United Families
Servers of the Truth & Liberation of All God’s People

[Carlos Perez]

OK MAYAN READERS,

Once again, that most uninformed of "wannabe" writers, who works for the Chicago Sun Times, Esther Cepeda, has written another commentary against "LA MARCHA".

Now how is it that a woman with an accredited college or university degree can be so ignorant of the current events surrounding the evolution of "LAS MARCHAS".Does she not read the newspapers, or watch CNN, or listen to talk radio? Is she not concerned for the flagrant violation of human, civil and constitutional rights that are being dismantled and trampled on by the Bush gestapo Homeland Security war against undocumented immigrants?

Doesn't Cepeda know her history?

Well, she being the recipient of the priviledges won by previous generations of marchers and protesters, i.e, a college education, affirmative action, etc.... let me remind her that just 35 years ago, there were no latinos in the major media. That colleges and universities had to be forced to open their doors to admit latino students into their state funded institutions of higher learning, that the police and fire departments, and government agencies also had to be forced to open their doors to hire latinos.

And, that it took federal law suits to establish fair redistricting lines, in order that latino communites could elect their own local elected officials.

It took marches....hundreds of marches.....to force the local corporate, institutional and government agencies to begin to open their doors to the latino community. And it did not happen over night.

Oh poor Esther Cepeda, raised on fast junk food, and accostumed to the ligthning speed of hi tech communications, is frustrated that two years later there is still no immigration reform.

That is not our fault! It is not the fault of the millions of people who have taken to the streets since March 10th of 2006!

No! It is the fault of the spineless elected officials, who failed to capitalize on the tremendous momentum and political capital that "LAS MARCHAS" generated, to push for a fair, just and humane immigration reform policy.

Luis Gutierrez, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton,....have all dropped the ball....and the energy and momentum that was created by the Marches, to take the leadership to forge a new immigration policy for the USA.

Instead, fearing the rhetoric of the "paper tiger" minutemen and the talking heads of the extremist right wing media....they all decided to run and hide under the covers.

And that is why...WE.... are marching again. And will continue to march; because WE, are taking control of our own destiny...and WE refuse to leave the future of our people in the hands of cowardly politicians who are afraid of their own shadows!!!

No Esther,...the fight for immigration reform will not be won by the politicians, or the talking heads, or the mis-informed columnists: IT WILL BE WON BY THE PEOPLE WHO WILL TAKE TO THE STREETS ON MAY 1ST....AND EVERY TIME AFTERWARDS.....UNTIL THE BATTLE IS WON!!!

That is how Dr. Matin Luther King, Jr. did it....that is how the war in Viet Nam was brought to an end, and that is how WE ...( NOT YOU)....WILL WIN THE FIGHT FOR A FAIR, HUMANE, AND JUST IMMIGRATION REFORM LAW.

Esther, stay at home...watch the march on CNN ....or just change the channel and watch Jerry Springer....after all....that's probably more your "speed".

THE REST OF US....WILL BE MAKING HISTORY!!!

Carlos Perez
Founder/Editor
Mayan Calendar News

[z]

Wouldn't an election year and approaching election be motivation to put it all on the table? Is there a fear of the Republicans actually having a real plan for immigration reform? There's a march coming up soon. When?

[tselone]

i have always admired your writings...very powerful...and it is true about an awoken giant...the time has arrived where latinos are now a powerful block in the western hemisphere...

this presidential race will bring sweeping change for all latinos...continue to inspire us with your words...

for this May occasion, we will be painting a Memorial and Mexica Foundation mural on the corner of Spaulding and 26st, in Pilsen...something to show all where we came from and where we are going :)

tselone

[Michael Hunt]

I often read your work and quite frequently am impressed with the lucidity of your arguments, even when I don't agree with them. This is, I'm afraid, not one of those times.

It is not only that I do not agree with your conclusions but also that you offer no real arguments to support them, or alternatives to the methods you seem to oppose. I am forced to defer to your superior knowledge of immigration issues (it is your "beat" after all), but I fail to recognize your bringing any of that knowledge to bear in this piece. Perhaps this is simply an unfortunate effect of limiting yourself to 600 words.

Because I find no cogent arguments in your piece to rebut I will simply comment on certain points:

1. "...the same people who will press you on the myriad ways immigrants thanklessly toil for this country...will skip work to parade through the streets en masse to call attention to their very existence." Have you any idea what the sacrifice of even a day's wages can be to some people? Those that choose to do so probably do not make the decision lightly and feel that the loss of a day's wages is outweighed by their need to "call attention to their very existence."

2. "...the same parents who...pull them out of school to stroll down crowded streets chanting “Si se puede” in the name of federal immigration law reform." The First Amendment of the United States Constitution gives us, among other rights, the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Throughout this country's history this right has been used to great effect. I admit that of late the Federal government has managed to ignore the will of the people on several matters, whether that will was expressed by use of the ballot box or the protest march. All the more reason then that we teach our children to organize, to march and to be heard, whatever the issue, so that the organization is better, the march better attended, and the voices loud enough to get the job done! Last month my 16 year-old daugher spent a week visiting me here in Chicago. The very first day of her visit I took her to an anti-war rally downtown. Immediately afterwards I took her to see the movie Chicago 10, a documentary about the eight anti-war protesters who were put on trial following the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Admittedly, not the most fun way for a 16 year-old girl to spend her day, but a valuable lesson all the same. This is possible. You can do this. You are not alone. You have brothers and sisters who share your concerns. A single day missed of school is a small price to pay for such a lesson and I encourage any parent to teach it.

3. "...in 2005 the sleeping giant awoke, people came out of the shadows, and everyone who hadn’t noticed that their Chop Suey, escargot, and sushi is cooked by Mexicans paid attention. But it’s time to give it a rest. " Not exactly. The sleeping giant didn't simply awake. It was poked several times with a stick. By 2005 the Republican Party needed a new boogie-man to scare the base into showing up at the polls in 2006. The color-coded security alerts weren't working anymore. The majority of the public was well aware of the bait-and-switch nature of the occupation of Iraq. And most importantly the religious right weren't feeling the love anymore. Where was their abortion ban? Where was the Constitutional Ammendment banning same-sex marriages? Where was Intelligent Design? Kansas and Tennesee, mostly. Ma and Pa Bible-Belt felt used, betrayed, and announced they were largely sitting out the 2006 mid-term elections to teach the Republicans on which side their Wonderbread was buttered. What could bring these folks back to the fold? A new enemy! The invading Mexican hordes! There everywhere! The're taking our jobs! Build a wall! We're paying their medical bills and to educate their children! This line of reasoning couldn't fail to resonate with Ma and Pa Bible-Belt, who were having a tough time paying their own medical bills and watching even their meager expectations for their children's education go down the drain with No Child Left Behind. I imagine I'd of taken to the streets if Southern Illinois trailer-trash (my people) had been vilified half as much.
4. "Making Bob and Jane Smith burn several gallons of four-dollar gas while idling in their SUV as a few thousand rabble-rousers clog intersections yelling “march today, vote tomorrow” slogans isn’t going to change the laws any time soon. It’s been proven time and again." Gee. You right. We can't do anything. This country belongs to Bob and Jane Smith, not the working poor, and all a rabble-rouser could hope to accomplish is annoying them for a brief time. And then the Smiths might decide to not employ us at all, us, with our Constitutional rights and stuff, and give our jobs to more easily cowed and desperate working poor in other countries. Gosh, I sure hope that doesn't happen anytime soon. Of course I could be wrong about Bob and Jane Smith. And you could be too. They might not be driving a SUV. They might be driving an 1992 Eagle Talon they bought last year for $800.00 and on which they cannot afford the insurance. Or they may be taking the bus or train back and forth to work. And they just might be smart enough to realize that increasingly they have more in common with the rabble-rousers in the streets than they once had.

Well, I used 986 words, but to be fair, 168 of them were yours.

Peace!

[Mike B.]

Pulling the kids for the 2006 march was more justified than this year. That being said, it's important that any activist movement stays active. Too often, after the initial groundswell of support, things peter out, and then no one is around to respond when the next potential outrage is rolled out.

More importantly, speaking as an outsider who is not part of the anti-immigration brigade, these activists need to focus on creating a positive message and perhaps make their own proposals. Most of the hysteria from the right on this issue is misplaced, and we just need to address what to do about undocumented workers with a healthy measure of common sense.

[Arturo Nunez]

My opinion is this: because our consciousness is, more likely than not, daily inundated with anti-Latino messages from the Right, this march (like all human rights marches) is a symbolic move to reassert and re-establish our pride/purpose/direction as a people. It re-focuses us on the urgency of the issues immediately facing our undocumented community. Sure, I see your point; but it falls short of the target. You ask, what are the tangible, quantifiable results of such a march? Well, strategically speaking (I'm an ex-Green Beret), it's a 'show of force.' Up till now, the cable media has not understood it, and the hysterical Right continually miscontextualizes it. HOWEVER, that being said, what is UNDENIABLE about this kind of action is that both the cable media and the hysterical Right are shown--in real time--the scale and scope of the demographic changes they have historically/conveniently ignored and now presently fear. It also shows that we are united by a common cause, and that our concerns as both legal and illegal Latinos are unified across ideological grounds. It shows that, in spite of the seemingly difficult odds, we can project a loud collective voice that advocates for sensible, humane immigration reform. If we don't do it, who will?

[Julio Jimenez]

Right On Esther! Who cares what these nimrods say. If they want to march let them do so, but they should get their heart rates up at an appropriate level based on weight/to get a good aerobic workout for the majority of the run (oops march/walk). Good health is good for everyone and probably the only good thing that can come from this march....and Print it.

[gordon mayer]

hey Esther-
I read your 600 words earlier today and then thought of them again when I saw a news release in my inbox from an artist who's planning a news conference tomorrow for "cultural workers" (ie artists) in support of the march.

That's something that I do not remember happening last year or the year before. It's one kind of argument for the march again this year--it takes folks some time to figure out how they can organize themselves to be a part of something huge, like the marches have been--in that sense, third time's the charm. I think a lot of people who missed out the past two years will be there, Thursday, by the way, which is another argument in favor of marching again.

I totally agree with you that in some ways everything is the same and yet everything is different from 2006 when the Sensenbrenner bill was in Congress--but also I think it's almost always better to do something than to do nothing, and so I'd say march a little--it's fun (as long as it's not snowing)!

[Juanin]

Wow! This email woke me up at 11:40, and I thought my day had started at 6:00am!

I have to admit, either you are equally frustrated as many pro-rally individuals are or just great at reverse psychology! I don't think that immigrants want to march to demonstrate how much they love and want to be part of this country, by now we choose to march because we ARE this country.

And of course we should pull our children from school to stroll down crowded streets chanting “Si se puede”! Education is not only institutional, just ask my grandfather who never went to school but can rebuild your SUV engine and save you some of that 4 dollar gas! Values are taught at home, character is built through your community. Marching together is community work and shows our youth that there is hope for the future. We say we want our kids to do good things outside of school, well tell me what could be better than fighting in a nonviolent way and walking in the shoes of King, Gandi or Chavez? Don't say they shouldn't. As you said, Immigrants thanklessly toil for this country by working endless hours but as a responsibility to their families and to carry their very existence and values through the legacy of their children here in America. Model the way and then let them decide. Lets keep the end in mind and the hope alive as another Raza put it. Maybe we can unite and learn something.

Its funny and I agree when you mention that the usual suspects are at it again. Let me remind you what a wise preacher named Dr. Jeremiah Wright once said, and I don't quote, but it went like this...."These people will play the political game..I answer to God". Although not much has changed in two years, the Hillarys, Baracks, and others are just that..politicians. On the other hand, the other millions that marched nationwide are the Matildas, Panchos, Pepes and me, the Juans who have a higher calling that is the Pokemon God that I am able to buy my son Kevin at an American store with an American dollar worked by a Mexican thanks to his Abuelita Elvia who busted her back to raise me right. The choice and the right is in our hand and should always be, don't leave it to the politicians.

Remember that with every "yawn", that America takes on this immigration issue, it allows us, the organizers, the families, the factory workers and everyone else to have that extra tank of oxygen to say SI, THE SHOW MUST GO ON.

Also please, lets not mix apples and oranges. A raid is a raid and wrong, but a crime is crime too and we shouldn't be giving the feds the reason to come in and take away our illegal green cards at an all Mexican Little Village community! How horrible of them.

So yea, lets fast forward a bit to 2008. Your suggestion is "it’s time to be more constructive". Please..construct. What do you suggest? Your suggestion is the status quo? Don't miss reading time at school? Do you know what kids are reading in schools in the city nowadays with outdated books and crowded classes and what not? Come on! If your like me your probably going to miss work the day after cinco de Mayo anyway due to properly documented medical purposes of course, so why not miss work for a good community cause! Remember.. If your not part of the solution, then...your just great at reverse psychology and I will see you side by side at the March!! CLARO QUE SI SE PUEDE

[Lalo]

Participating in a march once a year does not mean one is not active in other "more productive" ways the other 364 days of the year. We should all encourage each other to organize more strategically intead of criticize and undermine each other's efforts. If you have an obvious and great idea on how to affect positive change, by all means, share.

[Ruben Sanchez]

This article was forwarded to me by someone and I felt compelled to respond.

Your comments I'm afraid seem to be a little disconnected with the Latino community whose actions you are criticizing. If you knew and understood what marching for immigration reform means to Latinos you wouldn't be criticizing whether or not they should be taking part in a march. Regardless of whether or not you think the march will make a difference has no importance. We march because it means we are standing up for ourselves. We march because we are tired of sitting back and letting people walk all over us and criticize us without truly understanding where we come from. We march because we are Latinos, proud and frustrated with a system meant to promote diversity but that puts us down.

I will now address certain arguments you made in your article that I strongly disagree with. As a person who has publicly posted your opinions you should be open to criticism.

Right off the bat in your criticism you are wrong. We do not march to show "how much they love and want to stay in the United States", on the contrary, we march to say that we are not satisfied with how the United States is treating us and they need to recognize that we are as much a part of the country as anyone else. This is not a "love America" thing. We love what the country is supposed to stand for. Those values are now in question and THAT is why we march.

Your language and rhetoric serve to undermine the very efforts you sometimes praise in your criticism.

Another flaw in your argument is that you claim the parents force their kids to march. For many of us, it is our own choice to go out and stand for what we believe in. We are not "kiddies". Your argument neglects those of us, young adults who are at the forefront of a new movement of activism.

You talk about people like Obama and Clinton not getting involved. Then you mention the importance of the Latino vote in the upcoming election. Here lies yet another reason for us to march. Latinos need to stand up for what is important to us and remind politicians that we matter too.

One point that truly infuriated me as it seemed insensitive and uncalled for was your comment of "No such luck this time" when referring to last year's raid of a strip mall. To refer to this as a "lucky" incident is truly unprofessional and insensitive and I hope you apologize to families who were torn apart by this "lucky" incident as you call it.

I'd like to end my criticism with this. The civil rights movement back in the day started with people standing up for what is right in just the same manner Latinos are doing today. Nothing changed after the first march then. Did people give up? To say that we should give up our hope for a better future is to say that Martin Luther King should've been content after his first march proved ineffective. You fight for what you really believe in. You continue fighting until something is done. I hope you learn to understand this some day.

I hope you do some serious soul searching and get back in touch with what Latinos are going through right now. I encourage thoughtful responses and am open to criticism in return. If you are willing to post your opinion I believe you should also be willing to respond to criticism.

Thanks,
Ruben Sanchez

Benito Juarez Community Academy

[mia]

I agree with the kiddies not missing school, in fact, children really don't understand what the significance of the immigration march is. It is not in their best interest to miss out on a day of learning.

I also agree that the rallies that take place in March has lost its momentum, especially as the crowds of people round up less people each year. Yet these people show up for "show" on May 1st "immigration march day" when the truth is that May 1st is "May Day" or the "International Workers Day" that was workers that formed solidarity to fight the labor abuse and achieved the eight hour work day back in 1886. In essence, the May 1st march should be a commemoration of such.

I also must comment that several people that march on this day should stop being hypocrit and support the ongoing effort by actually engaging in projects, organizations, etc. and not only walk a few miles. What does that prove? you are here and you are taking a stand? prove it and make a change. The marches bring awareness and it causes a stir for the day and the next, but then dies out and everyone forgets or doesn't take action after May 1st until the next year.

People should also wake up and realize that the American flag they wave on this day to show patriotism is a joke. How could you wave a flag that is rejecting you due to a system that labels you a terrorist and burden? Why should you have to turn your back on your identity and nationality to prove you are "American" isn't America the melting pot because it's beauty and culture is made up from diversity?

Lastly, I don't agree that you should work on that day to prove that you love your job. You should not go to work and prove instead that without you your employer must look for a "legal" employee who is entitled to a day off with pay, etc. You have to keep in mind that the majority of the immigrant marchers are in fact undocumented immigrants, so why should they show up on the day they want to come out from the shadows and yell "I'm underpaid, I'm being exploited, I have no health care, but if I had documents I could recieve US Grants, Financial Aid and scholarships to go to college and obtain a real career!" Not going to work, hurts sales, business, revenues, the economy nationwide; by not purchasing it also hurts import and export trade. It proves and says loud and clear: "miss us now? look at what are absence does". It's a big deal because it hurts the pockets of the "big bosses" or Institutions that run this country; in fact it should be done for a period of time as opposed to just one day. Unfortunately, people are afraid and scare tactics are not uncommon in America as us citizens are very aware of ourselves.