Thousands protest Georgia anti-immigration bills

today.msnbc.msn.com ^ | 24 Mar 2011 | KATE BRUMBACK

[smokingfrog]

ATLANTA — Thousands of people gathered at the Georgia Capitol Thursday, waving signs and chanting to protest legislation that targets illegal immigrants.

Javier Mendez, his wife and their 18-month-old son were among the crowd that police estimated at roughly 5,000 people. The 35-year-old waiter, who lives in Roswell, said he came here from Mexico about five years ago to seek a better life.

"We are fighting for something we believe is fair," said Mendez, who works as a waiter. "We're not the criminals they say we are. We're just looking for a better opportunity."

The crowd, dressed mostly in white shirts at the request of organizers, chanted in Spanish and English and waved signs with slogans such as "Immigrants pick the crops that you eat every day!" and "Broken system, broken families." Speakers included activists, Democratic lawmakers, students and others. They urged Republican Gov. Nathan Deal to veto the legislation if it reaches his desk.

Indigo Girls perform

Folk rock duo the Indigo Girls performed their song "Shame on You" with lyrics adapted for the rally.

"We're from Georgia and we don't want our state to pass any legislation that's really anti-immigrant," said Amy Ray, one half of the duo, in an interview. "We feel like the state is really richer and more productive with the Hispanic community here and we want to show them our support."

U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, a leader of the 1960s civil rights movement, encouraged the crowd to keep fighting. He noted that he was arrested dozens of times while working alongside Martin Luther King Jr.

"I was beaten, left bloody, but I didn't give up and you must not give up," he said to loud cheers.

[Terpfen]

"We are fighting for something we believe is fair," said Mendez, who works as a waiter. "We're not the criminals they say we are. We're just looking for a better opportunity."

Did you immigrate into the United States according to the procedures and requirements set forth by the federal government? If not, then in point of fact, you are a criminal, Javier.

[FlingWingFlyer]

We're just looking for a better opportunity.

Tell that to your OWN GOVERNMENT! It's not the job of the American people to give you OUR jobs and OUR money. Take your cowardly asses home, "grow a set" and stand up to your own, less politically correct and corrupt government officials!

[freeangel]

“”We are fighting for something we believe is fair,” said Mendez”

Yeah, right-—It was fair for them to cut in front of those who had petitioned to come to this country legally. I’ll pay for his bus ride home so he can get to the back of the line.

[Venturer]

Sounds like a good place for ICE to make a raid.

Did anyone check Green Cards.

The nerve of these people to be here illegally and have the guts to protest our policies.\\It is spitting in our faces.

[jessduntno]

“Javier Mendez, his wife and their 18-month-old son were among the crowd that police estimated at roughly 5,000 people.”

Took the day off, eh, Javier?

[jeffc]

Typical left wing misleading headline. We are against illegal immigration. Bias? Attempt to further their own agenda? Too bad pMSNBC just doesn't get, but it is the liberal "media", they just make it up as they go.

[Viking2002]

Aw, how sweet, they had the Indigo Dykes perform. Nothing like activist multi-tasking.........

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away, for his name is Obama."

[oldtimer]

47% of those living here now in the US do not pay any income tax.

[EGPWS]

...protest legislation that targets illegal immigrants.

Do we want it to be illegal to protest illegals?

There ought to be a law...

[Mears]

You are right.

They are breaking the law just by being here. They can’t be so stupid that they can’t figure that out.

[EGPWS]

47% of those living here now in the US do not pay any income tax.

It should be 100% however until it is law...

[I still care]

“We are fighting for something we believe is fair,” said Mendez, who works as a waiter. “We’re not the criminals they say we are. We’re just looking for a better opportunity.”

These people are the best Mexico has to offer. They are hardworking people, who did what most of our forefathers did - had ambition to go hunt a better place to live, and do their best, to give their posterity opportunity.

The problem is, they need to stay in their OWN country and TRANSFORM it with all that ambition and energy- If ever hard working illegal went home, and demanded change, it would happen in their own country. Mexico need never change, the way it is now.

[struggle]

I’d love for illegal immigrants to take the opportunity to make their home country a better place.

[SharpRightTurn]

“”We are fighting for something we believe is fair,” said Mendez”.

So are we Javier—we believe it is fair that noncitizens have to obey the law just like citizens. You’re illegal, so go home and apply for entry if you want to be here.

“U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, a leader of the 1960s civil rights movement, encouraged the crowd to keep fighting. He noted that he was arrested dozens of times while working alongside Martin Luther King Jr.”

Knowing what a hustler he is, he likely was repeatedly arrested for picking pockets.

[arderkrag]

Thousands of people gathered at the Georgia Capitol Thursday, waving signs and chanting to protest legislation that targets illegal immigrants.

Tough. Time for them to wake up to reality.

[FlingWingFlyer]

My point exactly. These people need to complain to the “leaders” they put in office in their own countries. Then, if they still want something better, WORK THROUGH THE SYSTEM! If somebody ever came into my home and started demanding things and telling me how it was going to be, well, they’d have to talk to Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson first. Most of us find their current “home invasion” technique of “immigration” very offensive.

[truthguy]

The problem is, they need to stay in their OWN country and TRANSFORM it with all that ambition and energy- If ever hard working illegal went home, and demanded change, it would happen in their own country. Mexico need never change, the way it is now.

Well put. This goes for a lot of other countries other than Mexico. The US cannot accept every person in the world who would like to live in the United States to have a better life. If that were the case, then we would have billions of people rather than the 310 million we now have. And this goes for legal immigrants as well as illegal. We take in far too many legal immigrants and their numbers should be scaled back greatly.

This is also political in a way most people do not understand. If you look at how recent immigrants vote, it would tell you why the Democrats are NOT INTERESTED in doing anything about immigration either legal or illegal. I'll bet that Obama got 75% or more of the naturalized citizens vote. The RATS are looking at these people as their future voters. Without post 1965 immigration, Obama could not just not have been elected POTUS he would never have made it as a US Senator.

The other issue is environmental. I cannot believe we cannot get some help from the environmental groups on this issue. This is the #1 environmental issue we have and yet these groups are as quiet as a church mouse. More people means more strain on the environment. It means we need more energy and every other kind of resource. Where are the environmental groups on this issue?

[unixfox]

Sounds like a good place for ICE to make a raid.

I wouldn't count on that any time soon. If you ask me they want them to be here. It provides job security.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Javier has an anchor baby now so it’s going to be impossible to deport him. He knows it, which is why he comes out in public shooting his mouth off about his entitlements.