Posted on 09/03/2005 7:26:20 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
Majority of City Commission would support resolution against border militia group
— Cameron Park church parishioners are organizing a “white ribbon” campaign for dialogue, calling for prayer and reflection in response to the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. of Texas’ plans to mobilize in the Rio Grande Valley.
The so-called Minutemen have organized to combat illegal immigration into the United States, posting a militia-like armed watch at various border points and recruiting members from across the country.
The group from San Felipe de Jesús Church call themselves Social Justice and Peace Pastoral. “It’s a response to the Minuteman project that offers prayer and dialogue instead of fear and division,” said Elizabeth García, a ribbon campaign organizer.
The group wants to launch across the Rio Grande Valley on October 1 — the date the Minutemen plan to begin their operation “Secure our Border” across the country.
White ribbons would be distributed pyramid style, meaning every participant would find 10 people to wear a ribbon, those 10 people will find another 10, and so on.
Organizing in conjunction with the Catholic church makes sense because the church’s position is pro-immigration, said Father Michael Seifert of San Felipe de Jesús.
“Any family in economic need has a right o immigrate, that’s our posture, if a family is hungry and the family needs work, then society should provide a way for people to do that,” Seifert said.
People from out of town, who aren’t familiar with the culture, walking around with guns, is the last thing Brownsville needs, Seifert said. Another concern is potential conflicts in Brownsville with the Brown Berets — a California-born Hispanic civil rights group that has proclaimed it will combat the Minuteman movement.
The Minutemen should not be ignored, but they should not be welcomed, Seifert said. “It’s beyond silli-ness, it’s irresponsible,” he said of the group, “There’s got to be a more sensible way of dealing with this (illegal immigration) than what we’ve done — but Minutemen is not the solution.”
There will be a meeting Wednesday at the church to discuss the campaign, García said.
Border cities are reacting to the Minutemen’s plans to set up camp and keep watch.
El Paso’s city council passed an anti-Minuteman resolution Aug. 23. The resolution was co-sponsored by two city council members and won near unanimous approval, 7-1.
A similar resolution would win favor if presented to the Brownsville City Commission, an informal poll of city leaders showed this week.
Only Commissioner David Betancourt declined to take a position on the matter when asked by The Brownsville Herald if he would support a resolution like El Paso’s against the Minutemen over concerns for economic and cultural ties across the border.
Almost all commissioners cited reasons similar to El Paso for their support of such a measure, primar-ily maintaining good relations with Mexico and discouraging vigilante-style law enforcement.
“I would most definitely support a resolution,” Mayor Eddie Treviño, Jr. said.
Treviño said commissioners have informally discussed a similar measure. The resolution would serve to express an official opinion, he said.
“Law enforcement should be left to people who are trained and experienced in these matters,” the mayor said referring to immigration, “No civilians should take the law into their own hands, and it’s not the right message to send our neighbor and biggest trading partner.”
The president of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps of Texas, Al Garza said neither the El Paso reso-lution, nor a potential Brownsville one, would affect his organization’s plans.
“That resolution, as far as I’m concerned, they can take it and throw it in the trash,” said the ex-Marine, adding, “The majority of us are combat veterans and we know our rights — we are all Americans and we have the Constitutional right to assemble, they are breaking the law and committing a federal offense.”
Garza added that the group was still considering coming to the Valley, and specifically to Brownsville, even if he had to make the trip “solo.”
sicalderon@brownsvilleherald.com
Society should withdraw funding from communities, and tax exempt status from organizations, that support illegal activities!
“Any family in economic need has a right o immigrate, that’s our posture, if a family is hungry and the family needs work, then society should provide a way for people to do that,” Seifert said.
------
Well someone should educate this liberal fool, that there is a thing called THE LAW IN THE UNITED STATES!!! And he is an accessory to breaking that law...and he should be thrown in jail, along with his illegal friends.
Nothing like a "man of the clothe" abrogating respect for the law.
Change the name to Saint Phillip of Jesus Church and have the service in English then maybe I'll listen.
Until then STFU.
Viva LaMigra
funny, they don't look French...
As a Catholic, I find this activity embarrassing and outrageous. Seifert needs to brush up on Church teaching. Catholics are not obligated to support unrestricted immigration and socialism, as these people are advocating. In fact the Church recognizes the right of a nation to regulate immigration and protect its borders.
The society that needs to find them work is the country from which these ILLEGALS come from. Apart from the issue of people wanting to work here what part of terrorists do these church members not understand?
And that is not even touching on diseases, destruction of the economy, shutting down of hospitals etc.
It is ILLEGAL to come into this country without the proper paper work, legally obtained. This church is saying it is alright to be a criminal, the same attitude that caused the wide spread looting and ganster activity in NO this week. I guess some people just don't learn.
Minutemen Ping!
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
Anything that involves the wearing of a ribbon; I'm against.
"You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way." Mat 7:13
bump
Who will stand at my right side
And guard the bridge with me?
Yo, INS! Might wanna check that church's back room for illegals.
We think alike
Back in the late 80's in college I was asked to where a yellow ribbon for the hostages in Tehran. They looked a me in horror when I refused.
Back on line in Ocean Springs, MS. Man is AC nice.
Ah...do you know what Cameron Park is? LOL
Boy, THAT is a REALLY EFFECTIVE tactic. More useless prattling by lily-livered peaceniks.
Well, I am so glad to hear that we are all suposed to be quivering in fear of the (blow dust off) bb's.
Yep, I feeeeeel better now that I know, according to my brown-skined masters, what I am supposed to do.
< /idt>
Hmmm....and what is this FRAUD of a Priest doing for the New Orleans refugees...and what is his respone to the following?
Post 59 from another thread...
"I read on another thread that the reason people are not being allowed to cross the bridge into Gretna is because the chief of police there is protecting his city. Gretna has already been victimized by looters and he will not allow an uncontrolled mob to come thru. What would you do? I would be torn between compassion and the reality of knowing what has already happened in NO would undoubtedly happen in Gretna."
See, you La Razaaccomplice...there are AMERICANMS who need now...and yet your love for the Illegal Infiltrator, and your hatred for America shines thru...
T-Minus 6 months from B.I.T.S., and counting...and notating who the "targets" are...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.