Dec 13, 2004
Activists in LA Announce Gas Station Boycott Over Immigrant License Bill Veto
By Jeremiah Marquez
Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Hispanic activists on Monday called for a weekly boycott of California gas stations as a way to resurrect an immigrant driver's licenses bill vetoed earlier this year by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Pro-immigrant groups urged motorists to avoid buying gas every Monday through next year or until lawmakers allowed illegal immigrants to apply for licenses.
"It's a prolonged campaign of pressure to obtain licenses for immigrants regardless of their status," said Nativo Lopez, president of the Mexican American Political Association and Hermandad Mexicana, after announcing the "Dark Mondays" boycott at a gas station in downtown Los Angeles.
Several outside observers questioned the effectiveness of the proposed boycott.
"Obviously people can arrange not to buy gas on Monday but arrange to buy gas on all other days," said Stephen Levy, senior economist at the Palo Alto-based Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy.
The strategy was designed as a response to Schwarzenegger's veto in September of a measure approved by the Democratic-controlled Legislature that would let upward of 2 million immigrants drive legally. Schwarzenegger has said the bill ignored his requirement of key security safeguards - an identifying mark that would differentiate them from licenses held by U.S. citizens and legal residents.
"The governor's position remains firm," said Margita Thompson, a Schwarzenegger spokeswoman. "Public safety will always remain of paramount importance."
Supporters argue such licenses would strengthen public safety by requiring illegal immigrants to know the rules of the road and obtain insurance. State Sen. Gil Cedillo plans to introduce another license bill next month.
AP-ES-12-13-04 2243EST
This story can be found at: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBLUJ7JP2E.html
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Full Version: Activists in LA Announce Gas Station Boycott Over
Common Ground Common Sense > Issues that Affect Our Lives > Energy Independence, Environment, Science and Technology > Energy, Environment, Science and Technology Issues Archive
Now THAT will be very successful. If business dips, stations will have "5 cent off Mondays", and big gas guzzling SUV's will take up the slack.
QUOTE(gmanders777 @ Dec 13 2004, 09:15 PM)
Dec 13, 2004
Activists in LA Announce Gas Station Boycott Over Immigrant License Bill Veto
By Jeremiah Marquez
Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Hispanic activists on Monday called for a weekly boycott of California gas stations as a way to resurrect an immigrant driver's licenses bill vetoed earlier this year by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Pro-immigrant groups urged motorists to avoid buying gas every Monday through next year or until lawmakers allowed illegal immigrants to apply for licenses.
"It's a prolonged campaign of pressure to obtain licenses for immigrants regardless of their status," said Nativo Lopez, president of the Mexican American Political Association and Hermandad Mexicana, after announcing the "Dark Mondays" boycott at a gas station in downtown Los Angeles.
Several outside observers questioned the effectiveness of the proposed boycott.
"Obviously people can arrange not to buy gas on Monday but arrange to buy gas on all other days," said Stephen Levy, senior economist at the Palo Alto-based Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy.
The strategy was designed as a response to Schwarzenegger's veto in September of a measure approved by the Democratic-controlled Legislature that would let upward of 2 million immigrants drive legally. Schwarzenegger has said the bill ignored his requirement of key security safeguards - an identifying mark that would differentiate them from licenses held by U.S. citizens and legal residents.
"The governor's position remains firm," said Margita Thompson, a Schwarzenegger spokeswoman. "Public safety will always remain of paramount importance."
Supporters argue such licenses would strengthen public safety by requiring illegal immigrants to know the rules of the road and obtain insurance. State Sen. Gil Cedillo plans to introduce another license bill next month.
AP-ES-12-13-04 2243EST
This story can be found at: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBLUJ7JP2E.html
# Go Back To The Story
Activists in LA Announce Gas Station Boycott Over Immigrant License Bill Veto
By Jeremiah Marquez
Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Hispanic activists on Monday called for a weekly boycott of California gas stations as a way to resurrect an immigrant driver's licenses bill vetoed earlier this year by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Pro-immigrant groups urged motorists to avoid buying gas every Monday through next year or until lawmakers allowed illegal immigrants to apply for licenses.
"It's a prolonged campaign of pressure to obtain licenses for immigrants regardless of their status," said Nativo Lopez, president of the Mexican American Political Association and Hermandad Mexicana, after announcing the "Dark Mondays" boycott at a gas station in downtown Los Angeles.
Several outside observers questioned the effectiveness of the proposed boycott.
"Obviously people can arrange not to buy gas on Monday but arrange to buy gas on all other days," said Stephen Levy, senior economist at the Palo Alto-based Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy.
The strategy was designed as a response to Schwarzenegger's veto in September of a measure approved by the Democratic-controlled Legislature that would let upward of 2 million immigrants drive legally. Schwarzenegger has said the bill ignored his requirement of key security safeguards - an identifying mark that would differentiate them from licenses held by U.S. citizens and legal residents.
"The governor's position remains firm," said Margita Thompson, a Schwarzenegger spokeswoman. "Public safety will always remain of paramount importance."
Supporters argue such licenses would strengthen public safety by requiring illegal immigrants to know the rules of the road and obtain insurance. State Sen. Gil Cedillo plans to introduce another license bill next month.
AP-ES-12-13-04 2243EST
This story can be found at: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBLUJ7JP2E.html
# Go Back To The Story
Please, this is nothing about public safety. This is nothing but a ploy to increase the governments coffers by increasing the people who can get a drivers license. This also opens up major security issues for terrorists. There is no reason why we should be spending our tax dollars and infrastructure on people who do not legally live in this country.
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