Mexico Labor Protest Morphs Into Anti-US Demonstration
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MEXICO CITY (AP)--A demonstration by thousands of Mexican workers Friday to promote union solidarity turned into a protest against America's vast influence on the nation's economy, with many protesters saying they will take part in a boycott of all things "gringo" next week.
Waving signs saying "Don't Buy Gringo Products. Long live the Boycott," about 3,000 workers with Mexico's state-owned electrical utility blocked traffic on a major highway and then marched 3 kilometers to a vast colonial plaza in the city's center.
The proposed boycott - known as the "Nothing Gringo" campaign - is timed to coincide with Monday's "Day Without Immigrants" protest in the U.S. aimed at pushing forward a proposal for immigration reform including legalization for many of the estimated 11 million undocumented migrants.
In Mexico, the boycott has also turned into a rallying cry for groups opposed to U.S. economic influence south of the American border.
While the protest was called to express solidarity with a police raid on striking miners that killed two last week in a southern Mexican city, the protesters used the opportunity to express their ire at corporations and privatizations they say enslave Mexican workers for the sake of profit.
Isaac Morales, a 36-year-old electrician, said he and his family will stop eating fast food at stores like McDonald's (MCD) and Burger King (BKG.XX) next week to support the boycott.
"This is a struggle for all of the unions," Morales said. "We should do it forever, because it's essential to buy Mexican products so we can create better jobs here."
The utility workers were joined by unionized social security system bureaucrats, nurses, subway drivers and even restaurant employees decked out in their white chef hats.
In support of the protest, workers of Telefonos de Mexico SA (TFONY) - the country's dominant carrier - suspended service for several hours for a number Mexicans call to find out telephone numbers. Some international long distance service was also interrupted, union leaders said.
Protesters waved banners against the so-called "neoliberal" free market economic policies they blame for unchecked corporate-sponsored globalization, and also carried signs urging the U.S. Congress to come up with "a fair deal for the undocumented workers in the United States."
Javier Rodriguez, another electrician, said about 15 of his relatives live legally in the U.S. - but they have scores of friends who have been illegal for years. He said they and millions have earned the right to residency by paying U.S. taxes and contributing to the American economy.
"They deserve it," he said.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico has said boycott organizers risk a backlash and are foolishly targeting some of their best allies, since U.S. corporations have actively lobbied the U.S. Congress for immigration reform including legalization for many of the estimated 11 million undocumented migrants.
Mexicans' refusal to "buy American" on May 1 could further polarize the debate and make reform supporters seem anti-American at the very moment that lobbyists are trying to persuade lawmakers in Washington to pass a bill that would benefit migrants.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 28, 2006 18:55 ET (22:55 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2006 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.- - 06 55 PM EDT 04-28-06 |
