So today is the much proclaimed "make do without an immigrant" protest day in which all those of Mexican origin, descent and those who support immigration reform are supposed to boycott work and stay home.
Protest is a valid form of political action but I find some of the responses to the boycott both locally and around the country sort of ironic.
The mayor of LA, the first chicano mayor ever in LA is not in LA supporting the action but is here in Texas visiting a football franchise. At the Houston farmers market yesterday, many of the chicanos were buying 2x as much since they weren't "planning to leave the house or do any grocery shopping on Monday." This attitude is not going to make the impact on the economy they think it will since most stores and market will probably do better over the week by averaging out their profits.
Taqueria Arandas, which had decided to support the boycott changed it's mind a said that they would allow committed workers to take the day off without pay, but were still going to serve since most of their clientele was chicano and they didn't feel it was right to deprive them, plus their anglo clients of food. Of course, in the several restaurants in this chain I have been in, the help is mostly black so..
The final irony was that although they could boycott stores and work sites, most of them still managed to make it into the gym where I workout to get in their own regular workouts.
I guess the boycott is in the eye and spirit of the boycotters rather than in their actions.
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