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PUERTO RICO
Workers Strike, March To Protest Layoff Plans
Tens of thousands of workers shut down San Juan's financial district Friday as they marched to protest the impending layoffs of 30,000 government employees.
Clutching banners and banging tambourines, the protesters criticized newly elected Gov. Luis Fortuño (R) over his plan that would affect about 14 percent of the public workforce and save $2 billion a year.
Fortuño presented this week a $7.7 billion budget that aims to cut a $3.2 billion deficit.
The work stoppage, organized by five of Puerto Rico's largest labor unions, froze public transportation, interrupted classes and shuttered dozens of offices.
-- Associated Press
IMMIGRATION
Swine Flu May Have Hurt Rallies' Turnout
Immigrants and their families gathered at rallies across the country Friday to push for changes to U.S. immigration policy, but as a swine flu outbreak continued to spread, attendance at some events was smaller than organizers had hoped.
Organizers had hoped crowds would equal or exceed those of last year, down from the 2006 turnout, when a stringent immigration bill poised to pass in Congress drew massive protests.
A new immigration bill before Congress provides a path to citizenship for the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States. Thousands were expected in support of the measure at events in Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and other cities -- mostly in the late afternoon, when workers finished their shifts. But early reports suggested turnout would be far lower than in previous years.
-- Associated Press
