Swine flu adds controversy to immigrants’ march
Protesters rally at Eaton Park in Fresno before the march downtown.
Some immigrants believe the swine flu that’s claimed over 150 lives in México will have drastic effects on immigrants in the United States.
“Now we’re going to be blamed for this too. All we want is a driver’s license and some respect,” said Fermin González at the Immigration March in Fresno on Friday.
González’s views are like many of the immigrants, none of which were wearing surgical masks during the rally and march. One person wore a bandana over his face, but said it wasn’t because he was sick. He said he didn’t want people to deport him for participating in the march.
A long line of marchers rally in front of Fresno City Hall on May in the 'Marcha Por Legalización.'
Vanessa Placencia held her daughter, Irma Tirado, 3, outside the window of her parked van along the Van Ness Ave. route of the march. She’s not fearing the flu bug but wanted to come and be a part of the parade. And the rain didn’t stop the nearly 300 marchers. Many brought umbrellas, but really to no avail, they were rain-drenched by the end of the march at Eaton Park near Fresno’s Historic Water Tower.
