Looking Back at May Day Pro-Immigrant Events

Thu01May2008

Looking Back at May Day Pro-Immigrant Events

21:45 H | Topics: Activism - Controversia - Immigration - Movies - New York City

My May Day pro-immigrant activism day began at the AMC theater, just a few blocks from Union Square Park, where I would be rallying later. I saw a special screening of Brian Ging's film Beyond Borders, hosted by the Tribeca Film Institute and Presented by the New York Immigration Coalition. This documentary film looks at the immigration issue from all sides of the debate. The movie goes across the U.S. and even outside the country, talking to opinion makers and the real people behind the headlines and talking heads. The film really tries to be fair and balanced, featuring Minutemen, Noam Chomsky, and Gustavo Arellano of Ask a Mexican.

For those of us who have been covering the immigration issue for years, the film won't be anything new, but for those who are new to the immigration movement, or have only been exposed to one side of the rhetoric, the film can be enlightening. I brought my 10 year old daughter with me and she was shocked and scared at learning that an organization like the Minutemen existed (it didn't help that some of their kind were protesting the protesters at the rally later).

It was also satisfying to hear experts agree with my perspective that the immigration issue has been completely racialized, with illegal immigrant being code word for Latino, specifically Mexican.

For more information on the film visit the Beyond Borders website.

I wish I could have stayed for the Q&A afterwards with the filmmakers but going to a movie with a toddler isn't always a positive experience for anyone (sorry lady sitting in front of me who changed seats).

Special thanks to Elizabeth Carlton.

9-11 ICE Arrests in San Francisco Highlight Disregard for Nuestros Niños y Familias (Monday, Sep 15 2008)
Water, Water Everywhere For Immigrants Coming In Via Arizona (Tuesday, Sep 09 2008)

Maegan la Mala

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1. legalatina ~ Thursday, May 01 2008 | 22:22H:

You need to see the documentary made by Chris Burgard..."Border" ...and don't bring your child..the ugly, dangerous truth about what happens on the border is frightening and something everyone that doesn't live near the border should see. The inhumanity of the cartel of human trafficking is something that needs to be stopped NOW...and pressure should be put on Mexico to stop encouraging it and facilitating the dangerous, violent and deadly crossings made by illegal immigrants through Mexico into the U.S. When is enough enough?

2. texican ~ Friday, May 02 2008 | 12:29H:

having 2 immediate family memebrs that have gone through all the legal immigration process I find the idea of amnesty arrogant and a slap in the face to myself and my family.
If I were to illegally visit another country and was caught I would fully expect to be detained and deported. I see no profound wrong in the United States merely enforcing its immigration laws which are actually more lenient than other countries and allow for more more legal immigrants than anywhere else in the world. The arrogance of illegals in the USA is apalling. And if families are seperated don't blame the USA blame the violater of immigration laws and remember this is not Cuba you have the right to take your kids with you when you go home.

VivirLatino