Latinos Call for Strike Over California Drive Ban

Millions of Latinos in California are being asked not to work, shop or attend school next Friday in protest at the new governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's repeal this week of a bill that would have allowed illegal immigrants to obtain driving licenses.

Latino organisations are calling for support for the strike, and are warning of more to come.

In September the former governor Gray Davis hurriedly signed a bill that would have allowed illegal immigrants to get driving licences. The move was seen as an attempt by him to win votes in his unsuccessful poll battle last month.

The vast majority of the state's illegal immigrants are from Mexico and Central America. Schwarzenegger campaigned strongly against the bill, which had angered conservative voters because it seemed to endorse illegal immigration. One of his first acts after taking office was to repeal it, and he received cross-party support for the move.

Latinos account for 45% of California's workforce. Many service industries are almost entirely reliant on their labour and much of the agricultural industry is also dependent on them.

The Mexican American Political Association has backed next Friday's economic boycott. Nativo Lopez, president of the association, said: "This strike will be the first of many in the next few months."