For the past couple of days we have seen protests in towns all around San Diego as well as cities coast to coast by Latino students protesting the potential congressional action which would change the law and make illegal immigrants felons.
There have been outcries on both sides of this issue. Many American citizens have wondered how an illegal immigrant can be legally enrolled in our public school systems and why an illegal immigrant should expect to have the same rights or medical treatment as a legal resident or American citizen.
On the other side of the "fence", supporters of these protesters say we need these illegal immigrants to take jobs Americans won't fill and to help us keep our costs under control. Today we saw the protestors’ furor and tumult include flagrant civil disobedience and impeding traffic by massing in streets and freeways.
In addition, there is another group of people, legal residents from other countries who have entered the U.S. legally and are working here with proper forms and permits but still are required to go through all sorts of extra steps and legal entanglements to obey the laws of the land. These people want to know why illegal immigrants seem to have an easier time and more rights than those immigrants who are following the law.
Nationwide the latest polls (75%) say we are not doing enough to protect our borders and we should not (65%) give illegal immigrants citizenship. In the meantime, emotions are running very high and the volume of the debate and arguments continues to escalate on both sides.
One fact is very clear: if these protesters want the support of more than the smallest percentage of Americans a bit of public relations advise might be helpful. As illegal immigrants proclaiming that you should have the right to stay in America, you might want to change the color of the flag you are waving and the name of country you are chanting.
To scream "Viva Mexico" while waving or wrapping yourself in a Mexican flag is not a way to engender support to stay in America.
As I watched the events of today and then received e-mail after e-mail, I was amazed that not one person expressed empathy or support for the protestors. Most people viewed the Mexican Flags and chanting of Viva Mexico the same as a bull views a red cape in a Mexican Bull fighting ring...it made them very angry. In fact, this type of anti-American flag waving and chanting made people say, "if that is how you feel, go back to Mexico".
So, here is some advise on how the protesters can gain support for their cause: keep your pride in your heritage and ancestry since most people will support and honor that concept but switch your slogan to Viva USA and make sure the flag you are waving is the flag of the country you want to live in, the Stars and stripes of the United States of America.
In addition, from a promotional point of view, big crowds waving American flags and all saying they want to stay in the United States is a very sympathetic and photogenic media moment and as any good politician knows, that is the way to build support for your cause.
