Posted on 06/21/2005 7:48:57 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
Founder of civil patrol group presents his case to residents of Goliad County
GOLIAD - The federal government's inability to secure the borders of the United States has led to a revival of the old civil defense movement, Arizona newspaperman Chris Simcox told more than 100 people gathered for the first Texas-based Minuteman Civil Defense Corps meeting on Monday.
Begun in Arizona, the movement has a model of success to slow illegal immigration and send a message to elected officials that ordinary Americans are prepared to do the job they won't, Simcox said.
South Texas ranchers are considering creating a local chapter of the group. Ranchers met with Simcox and his associates over the weekend and are offering the volunteers access to their land in preparation for a monthlong citizen patrol in October, he said.
"Four years after 9-1-1, I'm quite disappointed in our government's ability to secure this nation," he said. With so much dialogue about homeland security and national security and the U.S. guarding the borders in Iraq, he said, "I darn well expect my government to protect mine."
The message, arranged by citizens from the small Sarco community who have encountered human smuggling through their area for years, attracted news media from across the state as well as critics of the movement.
Antonio Diaz, a Native American from San Antonio, called the Minuteman group's proposals "anarchy" and said it could lead to racial profiling. Diaz, who attended in support of the Texas Indigenous Council and the Southwest Workers Union, said minutemen should not try to take the place of law enforcement. They're forcing immigrants to put themselves at risk to find rougher, more secluded routes into the U.S., he said.
Simcox was calm, even as Diaz's remarks prompted fiery replies, with some referring to the Alamo and others telling him to sit down.
"We are not encouraging people to take the law into their own hands," Simcox said. "We have anarchy in this country, and it's on that border."
Simcox told an Associated Press reporter that he believes the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps has enough support to form four chapters in Texas. He said that more than 7,000 Texans have requested the group's services, and the organization has 29 members of Parliament in eight Canadian provinces willing to form a bi-national Minuteman Civil Defense Corps this October.
"Homeland security is not happening. We need to make sure it happens, and we need to lead the way," Simcox said.
Kenneth Buelter of Sarco opened the meeting after a montage of patriotic images and music. He also played an NBC Nightly News broadcast about the illegal smuggling trade that exists across the Mexican border.
Simcox said volunteers in Cochise County, Ariz., conducted 159 medical rescues during their patrol in April. He called the smuggling enterprise "an unacceptable exploitation of human beings" being done in support of big business and creating a lower class of people who don't get paid minimum wage. The Minuteman effort can lead to a push for legal immigration, he said.
"I've never heard of an immigrant being raped, robbed and left to die when coming through a port of entry," he said.
Simcox also scolded the media, who he said is not telling the real story about homeland security. More and more illegals are not from Mexico, he said.
"What you're seeing is a growing wave of activism," Simcox said. "This is a political protest. Taxpayers are tired of not getting their money's worth. We're a growing superpower demanding that the federal government do its job."
Robin M. Foster is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361-275-6319 or cueroadv@vicad.com.
Che Lopez with the Southwest Workers Union argues with Sarco resident Bill Parmley about the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps outside a Monday meeting of what could become the first Texas affiliate. The movement is attracting national attention to illegal immigration.
How dare the Minutemen be so inconsiderate!
Goliad Ping!
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
I have to find a way to be part of this Minutemen Project. Even if it is only a minor financial contributor via https://secure.responseenterprises.com/minutemanhq/?a=43.
"Minutemen equals KKK"
Well, at least they're not Nazis yet.
ping
Simcox is an American patriot, an attribute sorely missing in our elected "leaders".
All I can say to people in other states who don't understand this situation is "wait until the invasion hits your state".
I don't think the politicians have a clue as to how angry the citizens of this country are over illegal immigration. Sadly, if the politicians did have a clue it wouldn't matter much. The only politicians who can get things done are the Democrats and they have melded into a leftist organization dedicated to the death of America. So they're no help. And the Republicans are a bunch of empty suits. So if America is to be saved these people in Texas will have to do it.
Sounds like the crowd came down solidly on the side of Chris Simcox and the Minutemen, while the Socialist Workers representative (is that accurate?) garnered mostly derision and jeers.
So, which photo ran with the article to try and set the tone of the meeting? Yeah, no Press agenda here, is there?
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Minutemen Patriots ~ Bump!
BTTT
I think that's the goal - so, what's the prollem with the lamebrain Diaz understanding it?
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