California Latino activists are not happy with the Governator this month (neither are teachers, nurses or gays) after his October 7th veto of a bill that would allow drivers’ licenses for undocumented immigrants. Perhaps where the pang of such a denial is most deeply felt is in Los Angeles. To call L.A. a sprawling metropolis is an understatement. It is the definition of sprawl, and the painful reminder of the failure of American urban planning and the automotive industry’s death vice on this country since cars were invented.

To live in L.A., to survive, means to drive. Angelinos spend A LOT of time in their cars. You need a car to get to work, and to drive that car legally, you need a license. Immigrants are here to work, yet they are being denied that necessary piece of documentation. Activists are speaking out and saying just that:

“The people need driver’s licenses. They are workers, not terrorists, and deserve respect and dignity,” said Cedillo, who pledged to reintroduce the bill as many times as it takes to get it passed. “Broken promises” are unacceptable, he said. “On Nov. 8, we will vote no on Propositions 74, 75, 76 and 77!”

Props 74, 75, 76 and 77 refer to the various state propositions being made by the Governor which will be voted on next month. The anti-Arnold rally for immigrants’ rights is set for October 27th at 4:00 pm in Los Angeles’ Pershing Square.

Via / Indybay.org and Google News