Posted on 08/12/2005 7:40:32 AM PDT by RoyalsFan
CARLSBAD – Police from several jurisdictions, most wearing riot gear, formed a barrier to keep the peace between those attending a forum on illegal immigration and protesters who ranged from Latino activists to Muslim students.
While more than 100 protesters jeered, the public forum featuring Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., and other vocal opponents of illegal immigration expounded on how health care, homeland security, education, the economy and the environment are affected by undocumented immigrants.
"Today we have the worst enforcement we've ever had in the history of our country," Pete Nunez, a former U.S. attorney in San Diego, said.
With scores of police guarding the entrance to the Carlsbad Community Cultural Arts Center on the campus of Carlsbad High School, the physical violence anticipated by Carlsbad Unified Superintendent John Roach did not materialize, although the two factions shouted angrily at one another.
Police said that no arrests were made. A sheriff's deputy said one man was held on the ground by protesters and officers extricated him. He did not appear to be injured.
Protesters began lining up five hours before the 7 p.m. forum. Afterward, representatives from immigrant-advocacy groups from Southern California, Arizona and Mexico held a news conference to offer a view of undocumented immigration that contrasted sharply with that expressed by the panelists.
By 3:30 p.m., Carlsbad police requested help from the San Diego Police Department in monitoring the crowd. A mobile field force of San Diego officers was dispatched. Oceanside police and sheriff's deputies in riot gear also came as did police detachments from National City, La Mesa, El Cajon and Chula Vista. All told, about 150 officers were at the scene, a sheriff's deputy said. They formed double lines on the street and leading into the theater.
Chants of "USA! USA!" from the forum attendees waiting in line drowned out Spanish chants of "We want a world without borders."
"Go back home!" one group shouted. "We are home!" the other group responded.
About 250 people who wanted to attend were left outside the forum with an estimated 120 to 150 protesters.
Inside, the forum crowd was of one mind: opposition to illegal immigration.
Tancredo said the issue is not about about racism but about protecting the country for American children of all creeds.
Tancredo received a standing ovation when he said, "All I ask is that once you get here, you disconnect from the old, connect with the new and become American."
All 406 seats in the auditorium were filled, and a few people were standing.
Republican state Sen. Bill Morrow of Oceanside said he organized the forum to discuss how defense of the nation begins at the border, and that he timed it for yesterday based entirely on Tancredo's busy schedule.
Morrow said he has talked to Tancredo for months, even before embattled Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Rancho Santa Fe, announced he will not seek re-election in the 50th District. Morrow said yesterday he will run for Cunningham's seat next year.
"I know what the solution is," Morrow said. "We are not controlling our borders and it's a sea coming through. We are capable of controlling our borders if there is the political will to do it."
James Gilchrist of Aliso Viejo, co-founder of the Minutemen project, said that although President Bush and others call the Minutemen vigilantes, they are not.
They are "immigration-law enforcement-advocacy groups" who have had to pick up where the U.S. government has abandoned them, Gilchrist said.
Tancredo attracted a group of protesters last night from the Muslim community in response to his recent comments on a Florida talk-radio show. He suggested on the show last month that the United States might respond to an Islamic terrorist attack by bombing Muslim holy sites. He did not apologize, but later said the idea was part of a discussion on how to defend the United States, not a proposition to bomb holy sites.
Last night, about two dozen Muslim leaders and families carried signs and joined other protesters.
The majority of protesters, however, came from the Latino community. Some called for more open borders, others for humane treatment of all immigrants.
"Go home, racist, go home," protesters chanted.
Other panelists included Los Angeles medical attorney and author Madeleine Cosman, who said illegal immigrants are a dangerous and hidden cost for the country; and Assemblyman Ray Haynes, R-Murrieta, who has favored the creation of a state border police force. Conservative radio talk-show host Roger Hedgecock was the moderator.
Robert Vasquez, commissioner of Canyon County in southwest Idaho, spoke about the cost of illegal immigration on local governments.
When the forum ended around 9 p.m., those in the auditorium were escorted by police through a back door to their cars to avoid more confrontation with the protesters.
The forum was held on the campus after Morrow sued Carlsbad Unified's Roach for rescinding permission for use of a theater on the grounds. Roach had cited fears that crowd unruliness could jeopardize school property.
After Morrow filed suit Monday, Roach changed his mind and said any questions about freedom of speech were more important than questions about crowd behavior. Morrow's attorney said the senator will go to court to seek legal fees from Roach in the coming weeks.
There's a war a-comin'.
Look at them. Aren't they cute? Nice outfits, adorable signs...
That's 149 officers too many. One uniformed INS officer would have sent the pack packing.
The Immigration stance is hardly the reason to not like Tom Tancredo. I have to tell people all the time it is nothing more than an "enforcing the law" stance. I do wonder, however, why a person in any political party would discourage immigration by a demographic who is more prone to vote for his party.
I live in his district. We vote Red. Period. He made a term-limit pledge. Broke it. He constantly votes for huge increases in government spending. There are lots of actual conservatives in this area who should run and try to replace him so he can concentrate on running for President.
Keeping in mind that our country is over 20% hispanic (or Latino- as a white person I am a little behind on the 'correct' terminology), that would equate to a disaster for us if he actually got the nomination.
America-haters who think Old Glory is a Nazi swastika,
And die-hard commnunists who are still pitching "workers of the world unite."
Thanks for that anti-Tancredo speech, newbie.
"While more than 100 protesters jeered,"
...makes you wonder how many people actually cheered???
I don't intend to let the other side dictate my voting habits.
No problem. Anybody who hands live ammo to liberals merely by opening his mouth might do well to listen every once in a while.
What I think is funny is that in a place like Carlsbad was only able to muster up "120 to 150" protesters. I've seen more people attend a community meeting over a change in covenents.
ping
-"Go home, racist, go home," protesters chanted.-
That's ironic, to say the least.
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Minutemen Patriots ~ Bump!
As the man explained it to me, he learned that the longer he can maintain momentum in his elected position the more effective he will be. He readily admitted that his early campaign promise was a foolish error and rued making it.
He constantly votes for huge increases in government spending.
You may have him on that one. Mr. Tancredo wants to put more into basic education and make learning opportunities available without the financial ceiling that limits the bright yet poor. Some foolish idea that it would help our country regain it's former position in science and research while becoming the competitive edge or some such drivel.
Seriously, I'm quite behind his quasi-socialist support/wise investment in (shades of gray terminology!) education because that's ultimately where America's success comes from. If you have other examples of the guy voting for huge spending increases more damning than education programs I'd love to hear about them...I understand the Democrats shun him as if he were the ghost of Ronald Reagan.
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