Friday, May 1, 2009

Milwaukee Immigration March and Swine Flu

Participation in Milwaukee's "Day Without Latinos" march was way, WAY down this year.

From the Associated Press:

Immigration rallies in Madison and Milwaukee are drawing thousands of people, part of similar May Day events being held across the country.

The marches Friday come as health officials work to contain a swine flu threat that has closed some Milwaukee schools and prompted the cancellation of local Cinco de Mayo festivities this weekend. Health officials have not called for the cancellation of large-scale events.

...Previous marches have drawn tens of thousands of protesters, although crowds have become smaller in recent years.

The crowd in Milwaukee is dramatically smaller this year.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Friday afternoon's immigration reform march proceeded on Milwaukee's south side despite concerns about the spread of swine flu, but the crowd is far smaller than in previous years.

About 3,000 to 5,000 people are participating in the march. In past years, about 30,000 people have marched.

The march comes one day after Gov. Jim Doyle declared a public health emergency because of concern about probable cases of the H1N1 virus' spread in the state. Organizers believe concern about the spread of the disease reduced the number of attendees.

A few marchers who showed up wearing protective masks said they wanted to protect themselves, but thought it was important to participate in the march for comprehensive immigration reform.

Video.



Bottom line: The story isn't about amnesty or rights for ILLEGAL immigrants this year. It's about swine flu.

Everything is about swine flu.

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