The San Diego Traveler

Immigration activists took to the streets of San Diego County yesterday to protest federal immigration laws. 

In a Vista march organized by The Coalition for Justice, Peace and Dignity, dozens rallied for immigrant rights, but in much smaller numbers than last year.  Yesterday’s protest was held after school, which is probably why fewer showed up.  Many students used the demonstrations as an excuse to skip school last year, which went on for several days.  Without the added benefit of a sanctioned “ditch day,” the protest may have lost much of it’s allure for students.  As little has changed since last year, teens may just as easily have gotten bored with the issue.

Other than a small gathering at Grape Day Park, Escondido was surprisingly quiet on this day of immigration protests.  It seems that the Escondido City Council has done everything possible to get rid of their illegal immigrant population in past months, including going after landlords who rent to illegals, penalizing employers who hire illegals, and setting up checkpoints with local and federal officers to screen suspects for minor crimes, in hope of jailing or deporting illegal immigrants.  These actions have all met with opposition from Escondido residents, civil rights organizations, and lawyers, yet the issue continues to raise debate in Escondido.

At San Diego High School, more than 150 people gathered and marched to Chicano Park to hear speeches.

In the downtown area, immigrant rights supporters and Minutemen (the anti-immigration protestors) both demonstrated.  Although it was loud, and the debate was heated, there was no reported violence in the San Diego demonstrations this year.

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