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Prince William Latinos Fight Back With Their Wallets

12:26 H | Topics: Activism - Immigration - Money - Shopping - Virginia

Economic boycotts are an extremely difficult political tactic. They require widespread mass support in order to be effective. But the difficulty of using such a weapon isn't stopping Latinos in Prince William County, Virginia from using it as a tool against anti-immigrant policies. The boycott, which began yesterday, is a week long campaign targeting all non-immigrant-owned businesses, including such chains as Wal-Mart and McDonald's. At such an important time for businesses, back to school time, the impact of a boycott could be great. Although, those that back the measure aren't so sure.

"They don't have a prayer of reversing this resolution, which has the support of 80 percent of county residents," said Greg Letiecq, an activist who heads Help Save Manassas. "This is an attempt to bully immigrant businesses."

Board Chairman Corey A. Stewart (R-At Large) also said the boycott would have little impact.

"I think it's going to have no effect whatsoever," he said. "It just strengthens our resolve and reaffirms that we're doing the right thing," he said. "And it confirms that illegal immigrants and their support groups have no respect for our community or the rule of law. It's just going to inflame people and make people that much more upset with illegal immigration."

Time will tell the effectiveness of the boycott, but if history teaches us anything it's that one boycott will not win the war.

Story & Image Via / Washington Post

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