Immigration protest takes to the streets nationwide

Absenteeism hard to find locally during day of boycott

May 2, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER and JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writers

There were plans for boycotts from shopping. There were plans to stay home from work and school. There were plans to take to the streets with signs. There were plans for candlelight vigils and church services.
But on Monday in Greenwood, evidence of Un Dia Sin Inmigrantes — A Day Without Immigrants — was hard to find.
The protest, organized nationwide as an effort to demonstrate the solidarity of the nation’s immigrant population, and the economic power that segment holds, created a media sensation throughout the United States. Hundreds of thousands of mostly Hispanic immigrants skipped work and took to the streets in cities across the nation.
The movement began after the U.S. House passed bills in December dealing with illegal immigrants, though the U.S. Senate, which is still working out details of the bill, later made the wording of the proposed legislation less harsh.
Demonstrations and boycotts were not prominent in South Carolina, as employers cautioned employees about skipping work to take part in the movement.
In Greenwood, employers and others who work with the immigrant population said boycotts, absenteeism and protests were at a minimum.
Carolina Pride Foods Human Resources representative David Bradberry said the company did not experience unusual absenteeism and those who were absent did not mention anything about the boycott.
Bradberry said the company was not sure what to expect with all the media attention the boycott was receiving and planned to work a longer day if enough employees calling in about missing work because of the protest were to affect production.
“We appreciate all our employees who obviously thought more of working today than they did of supporting those involved in the boycotts,” Bradberry said. “We regard them highly, just like we do with all of our employees.”
Likewise, Park Seed Public Relations Director Claire Kuhl said that Human Resources and the director of operations did not report any absenteeism. Kuhl said the number of Hispanic employees at the seed and grower supplier north of Greenwood fluctuates from week to week depending on the season.
“We value them very highly in terms of working directly with the live plants and in the packing and shipping departments,” she said.
Though other schools in the country were affected by the boycott, much like the businesses, local schools did not seem to have any protesters.
Greenwood School District 50 Superintendent Bill Steed said that aside from a transportation supervisor who drives one of the school buses reporting some absences on the route, he was not aware of the boycott being widespread across the school district.
In Beaufort County, where the school district has on average a 15 percent Hispanic population, officials said 41 percent of the district’s Hispanic students — about 1,150 students — were absent from school Monday, a 35 percent increase over a normal day, spokeswoman Jill Weinberger said.
Educators talked with students before the boycott, urging them to not take the day off because PACT testing starts next week, Weinberger said.
Greenwood Police Chief Gerald Brooks said he was not aware of any disturbances or demonstrations in the city related to the protest. Elsewhere in the state, organized protests were staged.
“There has been a lot of abuse in wages,” Charleston boycott organizer Diana Salazer said. “This boycott is a way to say immigrants, both legal and undocumented, contribute to the economy, and we should have rights.”
In Charleston, at least two Hispanic grocery stores and a Hispanic restaurant, Vallarta Grill, closed, Salazer said, while in Anderson at least one Latino grocery store, Tienda Tomas, was closed.
The Columbia Farms poultry processing plant in West Columbia was closed Monday. The company has about 600 Hispanic workers.
“We have a small staff so we’re not affected so much by it,” said Bill Allawos, president of J & G Food Products, a meat processing plant in Columbia which remained open Monday. “We do business with several Latino restaurants, but we haven’t seen the same affect as with the march when a lot of their businesses closed.”
Jeff Fowler, CEO of the Greenwood Partnership Alliance, the economic development agency for Greenwood County, said the immigrant work force — legal and illegal workers — has a significant impact on the local and national economy. He said immigrant workers, who tend to arrive in the U.S. from poorer, less developed countries, are sometimes more willing to perform jobs that higher-skilled laborers will not do.
“People that come from an area of devastation, or are in want, tend to have a different perspective,” Fowler said. “A lot of times, because of fear of returning to that state of poverty, they tend to have a higher work ethic ... It increases productivity, not only in the U.S. economy, but in the local economy, too.”
Fowler said studies have shown the Hispanic immigrant population in the Lakelands area is growing at a faster rate than other populations, adding that the 2000 U.S. Census reported the documented Hispanic population of Greenwood County to be more than 1,900 people. But because the census does not record undocumented — or illegal — immigrants, the actual figure is likely significantly higher, he said.
Fowler added that the Hispanic population tends to be higher in rural, agriculturally-driven counties, such as Saluda County, where he said the Hispanic population stands at 7.3 percent. Census figures indicate the Hispanic population in South Carolina grew by 273 percent from 1990 to 2003, reaching 131,000 in 2004.
Though the immigrant work force can have some negative factors, such as language barriers, Fowler said the work force also has many attractive economic factors. He said companies looking to open or expand in an area often want to know about a community’s immigrant population, how the community views the segment and the services available for the population.
“We’ve had companies ask about our immigrant population,” Fowler said, “and all in a positive light.”

The Associated Press contributed this report.

Vikings defeat Rebels

Emerald holds off Mid-Carolina in elimination contest

May 2, 2006

By RON COX
Special to the Index-Journal

Blake Moore didn’t want to see his baseball career come to an end, especially against a team that has never beaten him.
The Emerald High School senior pitcher, who said he won’t take a third tour for the Greenwood Post 20 baseball team nor play in college, earned his second straight complete game victor in the playoffs in a 4-1 win over Mid-Carolina Monday at home.
“I wanted this one bad,” said Moore, who is 7-0 against the Rebels as a Viking. “These guys have never beaten me and I wasn’t planning on letting them beat me today. It was an important win for us.”
With the win, Emerald (24-4) advances in the Class AA Upper State tournament loser’s bracket. The Vikings will travel Wednesday to the loser of the Gilbert/Batesburg-Leesville game. The results of that game were not known at press time.
The Vikings kept their season alive despite having difficult time at the plate. The team managed only three hits against the Rebels, getting only one hit in its final 17 plate appearances.
But the other two hits came at just the right time, keying a big first inning.
After getting Mid-Carolina out three-up three-down in the top of the first, Moore led off the bottom half by lacing an opposite-field shot into left field. The Rebels’ Kiki Wadsworth came in to make the play, but the ball scooted by the left fielder and Moore slid safely into third.
“He (Moore) hit the ball hard the other way and the kid gambled,” Evans said. “That was a big break for us. Any time you get a guy on third with nobody out in the first, it’s a big break, especially with our 2-3-4 guys coming up.”
After a ground out failed to bring in courtesy runner Justin Davis, Emerald catcher Josh Lovvorn was hit by an 0-1 pitch. Lovvorn then stole second without a throw, giving clean-up hitter Cruse Tollison a pair of runners in scoring position. Tollison, a North All-Star selection, smacked the next pitch past a drawn in C.J. Hentz at third to give Emerald to bring home Davis and Lovvorn.
Tollison later scored on a wild pitch to give Moore and the Vikings a 3-0 lead, which was plenty of support for Moore.
“It’s good to get that early lead no matter who’s on the mound,” Moore said. “We didn’t hit the ball well, but we got the runs when we needed it, and that’s all that matters.”
Emerald added one more run in the second. Stephen Gary walked to lead off the inning, went from first to third on an errant pick-off throw from Mid-Carolina starter Erik Barber, then scored on Tyler McGraw’s sacrifice fly to right.
Moore, who pitched a complete-game victory over Pendleton for the District III title, took full advantage of the four-run lead, striking out five, while scattering five hits and two walks in seven innings of work.

Opinion

Experience affects views of U. S. role in Iraq war

May 2, 2006

Many South Carolinians, like Americans everywhere, are split over U. S. involvement in Iraq. Some argue that it was the right thing to do to keep terrorists who want to do us in back on their heels. Others adamantly insist it was a big mistake to go there in the first place. Furthermore, they say, we should get out, the sooner the better.
Some say, with some evidence supporting them, that the fight against terrorism is the Fourth World War. There were World Wars I and II, of course. They say the Cold War was the Third World War.
Be that as it may, two wars greatly influence the opinions on both sides of the war in Iraq. We see the evidence every day in one event or another.

WORLD WAR II GENERATIONS were galvanized in the crucible of shared danger and comforting unity. Out of that experience came a sense of patriotism that is unmatched in our history. They see Iraq as part of a necessary step in protecting us from maniacal assassins who are willing to kill themselves to kill us.
On the other side are many who came of age during the Vietnam War. They see the world through different eyes. They were influenced by an event that was, to them, a costly experiment in frustration. It was, as they see it, a war we lost that cost too much. They fear the same thing’s happening in Iraq.

WWII AND KOREAN WAR veterans came along when it was a different world. Times and people change. Different influences instill different values and opinions.
There is one thing that every generation shares, though. That’s the freedom we all enjoy and cherish. It didn’t come free, though, that’s for sure. Many Americans paid for it with their lives. It cost others, particularly many of our Founding Fathers, everything they owned.
Thanks to them, though, and those putting themselves in harm’s way today, each of us has the right to disagree. That is evident every day. However, sometimes, it seems, too many of us forget why we have what we have.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Crystal Marie Catalan

ABBEVILLE, SC — Crystal Marie Catalan, 24, of 626 Stevenson Rd. Abbeville died Saturday, April 29, 2006 at Self Regional HealthCare. Mrs. Catalan was born in San Bernardino, CA to William C. Asher and Hope Lynn Daisle. She was employed with American Services and was a huge asset to the Hispanic Community serving as a translator.
Crystal will be most remembered as being a wonderful mother, daughter, sister, and a friend to everyone. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Juantita Reyes.
Surviving Mrs. Catalan is her husband, Miguel Catalan, a son, Miguel Catalan, Jr., a daughter, Karina Catalan, her father, William C. Asher and his wife Nancy of Iva, her grandfather, Hector Reyes of Abbeville, two brothers, William C. Asher, II of Abbeville, and Leo N. Asher of Iva, a sister, Bobby Joe Asher of Abbeville, two nieces, Emili-yana Johnson, and Karrah Asher, a nephew, Diandre Morris, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, all of whom loved her very much.
Funeral Services will be 6:00PM Wednesday, May 3, 2006 in the Harris Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service until 8:00PM.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to a trust fund for her two small children, Miguel and Karina at the Capital Bank, PO Box 400, Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the Catalan family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com
HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, of Abbeville is assisting the Catalan family.
PAID OBITUARY

Floyd L. Hodges

DEEP GAP, N.C. — Floyd L. Hodges, 79, of 396 Hodges Road, widower of Ruby Halbrooks Hodges, died Sunday, April 30, 2006 at Glenbridge Health Care.
A native of Watauga County, he was a son of the late Judson and Vinnie Carroll Hodges. He was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church, a retired machinist with Vermont American Corp. and a World War II Army veteran.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Roger (Debbie) Jett of Granite Falls and Mrs. Jim (Audrey) Watson of Deep Gap; two sons, R.D. Hodges of Blowing Rock and James Hodges of Greenwood, S.C.; nine grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at Cornerstone Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Harvey Presnell, the Rev. Bud Russell and R.D. Hodges. Burial is in the Hodges Family Cemetery.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at Hampton Funeral Service.
The family is at the home of Audrey and Jim Watson, 653 Wildcat Road.
Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 565, Deep Gap, NC 28618.
Hampton Funeral Service, Boone, is in charge.

Fleda A. O’Quinn

DUE WEST, SC — Fleda Alewine O’Quinn, 81, of 1889 Hwy 184W, widow of Norman O’Quinn, died Sunday, April 30, 2006 at Self Regional HealthCare. She was born in Abbeville County to the late Will D. and Lucille McClain Alewine. Mrs. O’Quinn retired from the Abbeville Shirt Plant and was a devoted member of Little River Baptist Church.
She is survived by her two sons, Larry and his wife Jenny and Lamar and his wife Evelyn all of Due West, SC, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at Harris Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be 11:00AM Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at the Little River Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. O’Quinn will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. The family will be at the home of Larry and Jenny O’Quinn 22 George Alewine Rd. Due West, SC 29639.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. O’Quinn may be sent to the Little River Baptist Church c/o the Brother-hood, 2847 Keowee Rd., Honea Path, SC 29654.
HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, of Abbeville is assisting the O’Quinn family.
PAID OBITUARY

Rev. Seyvelle Parks

Services for the Rev. Seyvelle Parks are 1 p.m. Wednesday at Dunham Temple CME Church, conducted by the Rev. James McKee. Burial is in The Evening Star cemetery.
Pallbearers are Ricky Parks, Reginald Robinson, Phil Roberts, Randy Phillips, Keith Ashwood and John Gilliam.
Flower bearers are Stacy McCier, Tammy McCier, Emma Gilliam, Christine Anderson and Stella Carter. A wake is 6-8 tonight at St. John CME Church, Batesburg.
Viewing is 12-1 Wednesday at Dunham Temple CME Church.
The family is at the home, 111 Oakland St.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

James R. Ransom

GREENWOOD — James R. Ransom, 61, of 127 Barkwood Drive, widower of Mary Frances Cowan Ransom, died Sunday, April 30, 2006 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of Pearl Walton Ransom and the late Hubert R. Ransom. He was a 1962 graduate of Greenwood High School and received his Master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. He was a former resident of Fort Worth, where he was employed by Time Warner and had moved back to Greenwood recently, where he was employed by Northland Cable. He served in the US Air Force and had been a member of Callie Self Memorial Baptist Church.
Surviving are his mother of Greenwood and two sisters, Mrs. Jo Ransom Owings and her spouse, Jon, of Greenwood, Kathy Ransom of Columbia and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Esther Hamilton.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Leland S. Scott officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m.
The family is at the home of his mother, 426 Morgan Street.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorials & Tributes Processing Center, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Fred Searles

McCORMICK — Services for Fred Searles are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Springfield AME Church, McCormick, conducted by the Rev. Derrick Stewart, pastor, and the Rev. Melvin Searles. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are friends of the family.
Flower bearers are church ushers.
Visitation is 7-8 tonight at Walker Funeral Home.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.