Immigrants, Supporters Plan Business Boycott In Prince William Co.
WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- Starting on Monday, immigrants and their supporters said they will begin a big boycott in Virginia.
They said they are angry at Prince William County and they will use their money to demand respect.
At the Woodbridge Laundromat, business dropped 40 percent when Prince William County supervisors passed resolutions aimed at cutting services to undocumented immigrants.
The poster on Ginger Trust's front window said she disapproved of the decision. It was also a sign for her Latino customer base.
On Monday, when there's a countywide boycott of businesses, that one will still be patronized by backers.
"It lets people know that we, as a family, as our business here in Woodbridge, we do not support the resolution," Trust said. "We, as a family, feel that it's a discrimination."
The economic boycott will target nearly every type and size of business in Prince William County for one week. From grocery stores to tire shops, organizations, like Mexicans Without Borders, ask all citizens to stay out.
It is a response to the county's aggressive stance against undocumented immigrants. One state lawmaker called the boycott a joke.
"I think, at the end of the day, you're going to see people say, 'Boycott? What boycott?'" state delegate Jeffrey Frederick said.
"I think that it will have a huge impact," John Steinbach of Mexicans Without Borders said. "I think the lawmakers, the board of supervisors, need to wake up."
Designed to show economic muscle, people supporting the boycott will only shop at businesses owned by immigrants or those that have rallied against the ordinances and have a green sign.
Frank Conigliaio said he doesn't have a sign and he didn't even know of the boycott. He said he was worried the boycott will cost him money.
"It's going to hurt a little bit, the business, but hopefully they come back," he said.
Mexicans Without Borders said it plans on hanging out about 500 green cards to businesses that can still be patronized. They asked citizens who can't find those businesses to shop outside of the county for one week.
They said they are angry at Prince William County and they will use their money to demand respect.
At the Woodbridge Laundromat, business dropped 40 percent when Prince William County supervisors passed resolutions aimed at cutting services to undocumented immigrants.
The poster on Ginger Trust's front window said she disapproved of the decision. It was also a sign for her Latino customer base.
On Monday, when there's a countywide boycott of businesses, that one will still be patronized by backers.
"It lets people know that we, as a family, as our business here in Woodbridge, we do not support the resolution," Trust said. "We, as a family, feel that it's a discrimination."
The economic boycott will target nearly every type and size of business in Prince William County for one week. From grocery stores to tire shops, organizations, like Mexicans Without Borders, ask all citizens to stay out.
It is a response to the county's aggressive stance against undocumented immigrants. One state lawmaker called the boycott a joke.
"I think, at the end of the day, you're going to see people say, 'Boycott? What boycott?'" state delegate Jeffrey Frederick said.
"I think that it will have a huge impact," John Steinbach of Mexicans Without Borders said. "I think the lawmakers, the board of supervisors, need to wake up."
Designed to show economic muscle, people supporting the boycott will only shop at businesses owned by immigrants or those that have rallied against the ordinances and have a green sign.
Frank Conigliaio said he doesn't have a sign and he didn't even know of the boycott. He said he was worried the boycott will cost him money.
"It's going to hurt a little bit, the business, but hopefully they come back," he said.
Mexicans Without Borders said it plans on hanging out about 500 green cards to businesses that can still be patronized. They asked citizens who can't find those businesses to shop outside of the county for one week.
posted by Alice at
Sunday, August 26, 2007
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