Posted on 08/16/2010 10:43:35 AM PDT by SandRat
PALOMINAS — A number of visitors traveled hundreds, if not thousands, of miles across the country in order to attend the Border Tea Party Rally on a private ranch along the U.S.-Mexico border on Sunday.
Some came to listen, some came to speak, and others came to listen so they could speak when they get home.
“It is about time people got interested in the inner workings of our government. … and their accountability,” Said Bruce Bocker of Charlotte, N.C. Although he was in town for a week-long temporary job as a contractor on the fort, Bocker said he had heard about the event and had planned to attend before leaving his home state.
He considers himself a member of the Tea Party movement, Bocker said.
Another long distance traveler, Pat Brennan, came from St. Louis.
Brennan is vying for a state representative position in his home state and traveled to Arizona in order to gather live video and interview local residents so that he could relay their message and bring their same passion to the people of his region.
“We came here on peanut butter and crackers,” he said. referring to the still photographer and video cameraman who accompanied him on his long, and sometimes boring, journey. “We (Missouri residents) are in the heart of America. … And it’s important for people to know about the struggles being faced in Arizona.”
His state has a law similar to the one recently passed in Arizona (SB 1070), although “ours is more powerful,” Brennan said, referring to the parts of the Arizona law that were blocked from taking effect and the lack of media attention to the immigration laws in other states.
Brennan said he realizes that many of the immigrants who cross the border illegally are not bad people. “Darn it, I know there are a lot of good people over there and we try to provide a way for them to come here legally, but … we just want people to come here legally,” he said.
Brennan talked about a family he spoke with that said their neighbor was friendly and a great guy, but was an illegal immigrant. “They are not all bad, but … the law is the law, and we have to abide by the law.”
Will Tyron and his wife, Donna, drove in from Las Vegas, Nev., so Will could speak about his legal immigration from Canada in 1984. Will contacted officials in charge of organizing the event and asked if he could come speak about his experience and the issues that he sees as hurting his former homeland.
“Canada is a socialist country … and they tax you until you bleed,” he said.
Although much of the information he presented was about Canada and the similarity between their policy and that of the current administration in the U.S., Will said that he hoped hearing it from a legal immigrant would have a bigger impact on listeners. “It’s fantastic to be around this many great Americans,” Will said.
Another couple to come from out of state, Blaine Rosenlund and Jan Cochran, drove eight hours from San Bernardino, Calif., to participate in the rally.
“We heard about (the rally) from a friend and my fiancee and I decided to come out,” said Cochran, adding that “the issue of illegal immigration affects all states, but Arizona is the state that needs our support right now.”
Both Cochran and Rosenlund were happy to be able to support the Tea Party and their message, Cochran said.
However, not everyone attending the event was in support of the Tea Party movement or the recently passed state immigration law. Nearly 30 protesters lined up along the south side of the Highway 92 and Smith Avenue intersection, which had to be traveled by anyone going to the event, said protester Alison Mcleod. She came in opposition of what she said is an “inhumane and racist border policy.”
The only hitch in the program came when three protesters who had sneaked into the rally, Mcleod among them, stood in front of the stage, and as Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio began his speech, turned their backs in silent opposition. “I believe this is a humanitarian crisis that needs a humanitarian solution,” said James Mustard of Bisbee, who was escorted to his car with the other protesters by a group of three or four security officials.
As the event concluded, a large group of supporters headed down to the international boundary fence with Arpaio, where the sheriff held a sign that read “We support Sheriff Joe” and even tried to put it through the fence so that it would point into Mexico. His actions were deterred, however, when the sign would not fit between the wooden slats placed along the fence to hold American flags.
The crowd of more than 500 quickly dispersed after Arpaio made his appearance and the event.
Arizona -Mexico Border Ping
I would never vote for this guy.. this footage is for a campaign ad I bet and the guy is talking out of both sides of his mouth
The illegals are not "good people" they are breaking the law and taking advantage of the US taxpayers.. GO HOME
Ping!
bttt
bump
Any estimate of how many people came out?
Paper sats 400 but folks there est. 1,000.
Thanks, did not see an estimate or count.
The two who broke into my house on Wednesday didn't impress me with their willingness to work hard for an honest day's pay.
At least I got a partial license plate and a description of their car, and they didn't get anything. But with so many breakins ...... They're declaring open season on us, and we are supposed to be tolerant?
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