political action for greencard holders

[maya62 7]

We are considering participating (as a family) in tomorrow's anti-war march in Washington, DC. Protesting the Iraq war is something I (USC) have done since before it began, although the last protest march I participated in was after we began the immigration process, and I wondered at the time whether it was wise or not, especially when I found myself in the middle of the Code Pink contingent, chanting in front of the White House.

At any rate, I am wondering if greencard holders in general are taking a risk if they participate in peaceful, law-abiding protest. I have felt in recent years as though we live in another country (like the Cold War Soviet Union) where the government is watching protesters using face scanning technology, they have the power of the Patriot Act to #### with people...

... and I'm pretty sure my husband and stepson had retinal scans at the POE....

Thoughts? Am I just being paranoid?

Thanks very much...

Maya

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Gosh...I'd be a bit paranoid too because some people near you could get out of hand and then you could potentially be rounded up with them. Because of the Patriot Act, they can now essentially detain you without a lawyer and do so indefinitely. They can also deport you. Maybe I'm paranoid too...but I don't think it'd be worth the risk. Just my two cents.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

We did political campaigning during these last elections and didn't run into any trouble.

I'm trying to remember back to the heyday of the antiwar protesting. I believe I protested with friends who were green card holders, and they didn't encounter any problems. I definately wouldn't participate in any civil disobediance stuff, but just lawful protesting shouldn't be a problem.

Edited January 26, 2007 by rahma

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Bill of Rights - Amendment I

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances".

I appreciate your concern, but if fear allows the rights of the citizens and residents of the US to be abrogated, then the US has already failed in upholding its own constitution. True patriotism isn't 'my country right or wrong'' it is 'my country and I am responsible enough to speak out when it is wrong so that it can be corrected'. As a green card holder I agree to abide and respect the laws of the US, but I also accept the responsibility that comes with being a particpant in an active - albeit representational- democracy. Democracy is not a spectator sport, although many Americans treat it as such. I might not have a vote yet but I can still participate as a responsible resident.

Still, the choice will have to be yours. If you are worried about the potential consequences because the current government disregards the Bill of Rights then you do what you feel is best. Good luck.

Edited January 26, 2007 by Kathryn41

[Reba 2]

however, the Patriot Act trumps the Bill of Rights. Immgirants of any nationality can be tossed into jail and the key thrown away for any or no reason these days.

Personally, I'd stick to anonymous posting from internet cafes

*snarf*

[William33 110]

I have to ask, does protesting really accomplish anything, aside from personal gratification?

In rare circumstances, civil rights era for example, protesting fostered change. This was long ago however.

Protesting the Vietnam War accomplished nothing appreciable. In fact, no recent day protests have garnered any useful results.

Suggestion for ya, go to a museum, have a picnic with your family or do something else productive.

[Alex+R 0]

I have to ask, does protesting really accomplish anything, aside from personal gratification?

In rare circumstances, civil rights era for example, protesting fostered change. This was long ago however.

Protesting the Vietnam War accomplished nothing appreciable. In fact, no recent day protests have garnered any useful results.

Suggestion for ya, go to a museum, have a picnic with your family or do something else productive.

Yeah right.

Anyway, Rey has said he'd like to work on some capaigns for the 2008 elections, but I'd say it's not a good idea to go to a protest because of the arrest risk. There are other ways to participate in politics without running the risk of arrest.

[William33 110]

I have to ask, does protesting really accomplish anything, aside from personal gratification?

In rare circumstances, civil rights era for example, protesting fostered change. This was long ago however.

Protesting the Vietnam War accomplished nothing appreciable. In fact, no recent day protests have garnered any useful results.

Suggestion for ya, go to a museum, have a picnic with your family or do something else productive.

Yeah right.

So Alex, are you in agreement or not?

[Alex+R 0]

I have to ask, does protesting really accomplish anything, aside from personal gratification?

In rare circumstances, civil rights era for example, protesting fostered change. This was long ago however.

Protesting the Vietnam War accomplished nothing appreciable. In fact, no recent day protests have garnered any useful results.

Suggestion for ya, go to a museum, have a picnic with your family or do something else productive.

Yeah right.

So Alex, are you in agreement or not?

Total disagreement! Actually I think there are a lot of things people can do to change politics that work better than a protest. But protesting has value in that it brings publicity to the cause.

Didn't the illegal immigrant protests have an effect?

[William33 110]

I have to ask, does protesting really accomplish anything, aside from personal gratification?

In rare circumstances, civil rights era for example, protesting fostered change. This was long ago however.

Protesting the Vietnam War accomplished nothing appreciable. In fact, no recent day protests have garnered any useful results.

Suggestion for ya, go to a museum, have a picnic with your family or do something else productive.

Yeah right.

So Alex, are you in agreement or not?

Total disagreement! Actually I think there are a lot of things people can do to change politics that work better than a protest. But protesting has value in that it brings publicity to the cause.

Didn't the illegal immigrant protests have an effect?

I was speaking to the protest portion of this thread. Although, I agree that other political action can have an effect.

Did the aforementioned illegal immigrant protests have an appreciable effect? Not yet. Any more examples?

[Alex+R 0]

I have to ask, does protesting really accomplish anything, aside from personal gratification?

In rare circumstances, civil rights era for example, protesting fostered change. This was long ago however.

Protesting the Vietnam War accomplished nothing appreciable. In fact, no recent day protests have garnered any useful results.

Suggestion for ya, go to a museum, have a picnic with your family or do something else productive.

Yeah right.

So Alex, are you in agreement or not?

Total disagreement! Actually I think there are a lot of things people can do to change politics that work better than a protest. But protesting has value in that it brings publicity to the cause.

Didn't the illegal immigrant protests have an effect?

I was speaking to the protest portion of this thread. Although, I agree that other political action can have an effect.

Did the aforementioned illegal immigrant protests have an appreciable effect? Not yet. Any more examples?

Like in the Vietnam War, protests have brought dissenters into the spotlight.

[Samra 0]

Did the aforementioned illegal immigrant protests have an appreciable effect? Not yet. Any more examples?

its debateable. and not only illegal immigrants were protesting! The proposed legislation at that time were sweeping an generalized which left much open to interpretation. In no small part of the LEGAL immigrants protesting and speaking out did the legislation fail.

i digress.

ETA for spelling!

Edited January 27, 2007 by Samra

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Maybe I am too optimistic here but I think that going out to a peaceful political protest poses no risk to an immigrant. I understand that theoretically all kinds of things are possible but c'mon, let's be a bit realistic here. This is still a fairly free and open society. **, the illegals march and protest and they're not even supposed to be here...

Go on an express your opposition or support of the government in a peaceful gathering. You'll be home for dinner.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

This is still a fairly free and open society. **, the illegals march and protest and they're not even supposed to be here

So true.

[Alex+R 0]

This is still a fairly free and open society. **, the illegals march and protest and they're not even supposed to be here

So true.

That's very true, but let's say you are marching behind the anarchist group who decide to do really bad violent stuff and you get arrested along with them in teh confusion. That's teh kind of risk I was thinking of.