Calls to protest Arizona’s tough illegal-immigration law fell flat in Boston yesterday as barely 400 people rallied in opposition to Gov. Jan Brewer and her policy to use ID checks to arrest illegals.
Organizers had predicted the gathering would draw thousands, but less than 400 people - some of them counter-protesters - showed up for the Copley Square rally.
After the two-hour gathering, protesters marched in a downpour through Back Bay to the Sheraton Hotel, where Brewer, a Republican, attended the National Governors Association meeting.
Marchers shouted, “Brewer says get back! We say fight back!” and “Boycott Arizona!” as they slogged through the sodden streets waving signs, chanting in Spanish and English, and blasting music.
They were kept about 100 yards from the hotel.
Brewer’s spokesman did not respond to a request for comment yesterday. Governors association spokeswoman Jodi Omear said the protests did not disrupt the meeting.
Todd Domke, a Republican media strategist, said he wasn’t surprised at the low turnout, given public opinion polls in the state.
“Polls show people are against immigration, against giving benefits to illegal immigrants,” he said. “The passion is clearly more on the side of those who favor the Arizona law.”
Gov. Deval Patrick supports the federal lawsuit challenging the Arizona law, and the Boston City Council passed a resolution to cut ties with all Arizona businesses.
Organizers with the ANSWER Coalition had advertised that the rally would draw thousands of people from across the East Coast.
Sarah Sloan, an organizer with the ANSWER Coalition, said protesters came from nine East Coast states, but the large numbers did not materialize.
“You never know with a demonstration,” Sloan said. “We were very happy with the turnout.”
Standing in the back of a white pick-up truck, speakers at the rally blasted Brewer and the law, which requires police officers to question anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant after they’ve already been stopped on another infraction.
“We do not her want here. She is not welcome here,” shouted Ruben Miranda, of the group Departed Diaspora. “We can fight this if we all work together.”
A fiery Steve Kirschbaum, a member of United Steeworkers Local 8751, called the law “scumbag, racist and fascist.”
“Our numbers may be small, but we speak for millions,” he said.
“It’s a terrible, despicable law,” said Jon Miller, 31, a protester from Washington, D.C.
“To institute the law, they have to racially profile people,” said Mary Elizabeth Matthews, 25, from Jamaica Plain.
Nearby, a small group of counter-protesters waved red, white and blue signs that read: “We support Gov. Brewer.”
“She is America’s governor,” said Victoria Miles, 45, of Buzzards Bay, who squabbled with some of the anti-Brewer protesters.
“I’d like to tell Gov. Brewer I support what she’s doing,” said Nancy Northgraves, 49, of Natick, who carried a sign that read: “Thank God for Gov. Brewer.”
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