One of the strictest laws in the nations aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration takes effect in Florida July 1, and already the ramifications can be felt.
More than 1,000 immigrants – those with legal documents and those without – gathered in Fort Myers Wednesday for the first-day of the week-long work stoppage.
Many draped themselves in the flags of their home countries, Mexico while also proudly waving American flags.
There they shared stories of how they came to this country in search of opportunities, doing the hard labor that most Floridians would rather not do. They spoke passionately about living in fear that these new laws will rip families apart.
And then, under Florida’s relenting sun, they marched through downtown Fort Myers stopping hours later at El Nuevo Marguey Bar and Grille where Brenda Cintron and her staff were waiting.
Cintron fed some 1,000 people outside her restaurant Wednesday. The pulled pork, tuna and Cuban sandwiches were free of charge. As were the apples, bananas, soft drinks, snacks and water given to the immigrants who marched four miles in protest of Florida’s harsh, anti-immigration laws.
This kind gesture by Cintron comes at a time of much economic uncertainty. Cintron has temporarily closed her eastern Fort Myers restaurant to accommodate for her workers taking part in the week-long work stoppage.
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