MayDay in/from The Country™
MayDay in/from The Country™
lol-imigrants, anyone?
I just had to go take a look at the $8,000 - $10,000 our little cash-strapped town spent on the fee free “Free Speech” march today.
The Minuteman group of about 50 folks was standing quietly along the curb when I got there with their flags and some signs. Letting people go by on the sidewalk, some resting on the lawn, they seemed to be having a pleasant day. It is a pleasant day—thanks to Global Worms it’s about 10° cooler than it usually would be. Lovely.
There was a [1] bust. Just as the parade [gathered in Little Me-Hee-Co across the freeway] came around the corner onto Main St., two police cars came screeching in from opposite directions, 6 guys kneeled on some fella, cuffed ‘im, tossed him into a car and *zoom* gone. All in all about 15 seconds. Very professional.
And the festivities commenced. Imagine stadium horns, drums *eye roll*, and lots of shouting; “Si se puede!!” and other, indecipherable maunderings.
And cue the Azteca Dancers!
One gal had what appeared to be censer or thurible with smoke pouring out. Couldn’t smell it from across the street. Mighta been chicken feathers for all I know.
I guess the opposite side of the street had seen this Azteca rite coming and had prepared:
Not a whole lot of Mexican flags—a big one being used as a sun shade over several people. Not a whole lot of US flags either—then there was this guy El Dorko.
There were more *other* flags. The ever-so-predictable Che and I dunno what that other is…
Now on the other side of the street…
Note, as well, the age difference.
This was a recurring theme to create gringo heartbreak.
The old Plan Ahead factor is clearly involved…
Is this one of the chiiiiiildren who may be left behind? Looks like that’d be his fondest wish.
As usual, the “Peace & Justice” crowd was out—lotsa dried-up Earff Mutherz though, strangely, lacking their gelded follow-abouts. Prolly at home in a menz drumming circle. Or shopping…
AAaaand the requisite Che Foo’—there was even a contingent with a walking Che banner—which I missed. *yawn*
Here’s a gal with a dare.
Bet me, Senorita.
Last year, many businesses shut down to allow workers/owners to come drag about in the streets demanding the right to… own businesses or something. This year, not so much. In fact the very small business owners figured out how to attend and make a pretty good profit.
Seeing one of these fellas pedaling down the sidewalk is how a tell which neighborhood you’re in around these parts.
There were at least 10 in the parade and more waiting in the park where the parade ended.
Here’s the Bizarro Moment. They played a back-beat [on the 1/3 beat *cough*] during the parade…
and broke into a practiced “When the Saints Come Marching In” as they hit the park. Looked like an Urban Outdoorsman Band to me.
Sentiments were not all light, though. I don’t think these guys are offering US Mexico’s oil…
On catching sight of this sign, I heard faint strains of this and had a coupla actual goosebumps despite the 70° weather.
Then I looked across the street and felt a tad better.
Good Night and have a Pleasant Tomorrow.
Great Mayday celebration photos.
I can certainly agree with the guy who thinks “America es todo el continente” - I just have a different vision of who’s in charge.
The “They can’t deport us all” lady is right - we don’t need to. Take a look at how Eisenhower handled it, back in the 50s. He started by putting a retired Airborne general in charge of the INS.
How Eisenhower solved illegal border crossings...
Unfortunately, we let it start all over again.
Can anybody make out what’s on the t-shirt next to the “Can’t Deport” lady? I get “Our rights… In our house .. On our job ... In our car ...”
Three cheers for the guy with the Aztec sign.
Posted by ZZMike on 05/02/08 at 11:07 AM
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