In English, por favor

Dear Editor:It is natural for everyone to have an opinion regarding Arizona SB 1070. I am no different in that regard. I do agree, however, that something has to be done on a national level sooner rather than later. While on a shopping trip to Stonewood Center, I observed that the announcements over the intercom were made in Spanish as well as the "in house" commercials. Now I understand that the demographic of Downey has changed significantly over the last decade, but in my opinion and that of other people I overheard in Sears, the announcements should be made in English. I know my opinion is not really welcomed by many of my own people (I am Mexican-American) but when I go to Mexico and shop, announcements are made in Spanish and sometimes in other languages, as I think it should be. Also, I have been receiving plenty of calls from phone solicitors that automatically speak to me in Spanish although my primary language is English. I receive junk mail in Spanish as well and I am sure it is because of my surname. In my opinion, I feel if something is not done soon regarding illegal immigration, we will see bad things happening not only in small communities but throughout the nation. We need to do something to make illegal immigration a thing of the past before everything with the word "illegal" is challenged and we spiral out of control. - Juan Flores, Downey

********** Published: June 11, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 8