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05/02/2008: "Pro immigration numbers drop substantially at rally, as counter-demonstrators grow"

Counterprotests, shouting matches and activists on bullhorns are marking a contentious scene this afternoon during an immigrant rights rally in downtown Houston.

Immigrants and their advocates are exchanging verbal salvos with counter protesters as they march. Signs reading "No human being is illegal" are contrasted by signs saying "Stop the invasion."

During the past two years, the pro-immigrant movement has suffered a series of setbacks as attempts to pass legislation with a legalization component have failed, and cities and towns across the country passed laws to curtail illegal immigration.

The Houston rally turnout on May 1, 2006 was estimated to top 10,000, but dropped to about 100 last May 1. Immigration advocates have blamed worksite enforcement raids and growing fear in immigrant communities for the tempered turnouts.

[ Popular feeling is now so anti-immigration that even the democratic process is starting to reflect these views, and enforce the law. ]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5746788.html