L.A. authorities brace for huge immigration marches

Los Angeles authorities were bracing for immigrant rights demonstrations planned for Monday in the metropolitan, preparing to cope with a major disruption of traffic, commerce and school.

The marches were expected to draw one million people, the largest in Los Angeles' history, said police, quoted by the Los Angeles Times. Similar marches were scheduled for Monday which falls on May Day throughout the United States.

L.A. Police Department Assistant Chief George Gascon said the estimates were based on street intelligence and what he described as a well-organized campaign involving radio stations, churches and community groups.

Although the marches would disrupt traffic, commerce and school, police did not expect trouble like conflict and violence, Gascon added.

Officials acknowledged that it was difficult to predict the size of any protest crowd, noting that at a march last month, police had expected far fewer protesters than the estimated 500, 000 people who showed up outside Los Angeles City Hall.

Monday's demonstrations, however, could prove more disruptive, because they will occur on a weekday and they include a call for people to boycott school and work and refrain from shopping.

Officials said they also have been in contact with organizers in hopes of minimizing any conflicts and making sure the demonstrations run smoothly.

Some small-business owners said they planned to close down Monday, either to support the marchers or because they think it would be difficult to do business.

State and local school officials urged students to stay in classes, and transportation officials planned street closures and bus route detours.

"We want students to exercise free speech, but not at the expense of their education," said state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. "If students need to protest, they should feel free to do so after school."

The House passed a bill in December with strict enforcement provisions, such as making it a felony to be in the United States without a valid visa, that many immigrant advocates consider punitive. The bill had sparked large protests in Los Angeles and elsewhere in recent weeks.

Immigrant advocates call for a bill that would include a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants as well as improved enforcement of immigration laws at the border and the work site.

Source: Xinhua