El Gran Fizzle, as Immigrant Protests Don't Pack a Punch

"Through rallies and boycotts of schools and businesses across the nation yesterday, illegal immigrants and their supporters sought to present a case to the American people that they are vital to the country's economy and should not be subject to deportation. Demonstrators opposed to strict immigration proposals in Congress staged huge marches in Chicago and Los Angeles, curtailed operations at at least one major port, shut down construction sites in the District, forced the closing of crossings at the Mexican border and halted work at meat-processing plants in the Midwest. Although the protests caught the nation's attention, the economic impact was mixed, as many immigrants heeded the call of some leaders not to jeopardize their jobs, and businesses adopted strategies to cope with absent employees," the Washington Post reports.

Some businesses that rely on illegal alien labor like meat-packing companies were the most affected. Also, some restaurants and schools reported high absenteeism.

Also see: Michelle Malkin/Allahpundit's coverage

[FAIR comment: The spin is already beginning, with some Hispanic groups claiming that the impact wasn't as great because they told people not to participate in the boycott. The fissures in the illegal alien lobby coalition are showing now, especially with the more radical groups like International ANSWER and other Marxist/anarchist organizers who provided support during the April protests.]

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