Day labor battle brewing: Minutemen, Casa of Maryland set stage for showdown in Takoma Park

Gazette.net ^ | February 22, 2006 | Sean Sands

[tgslTakoma]

An organization trying to stop illegal immigration started work in the downcounty last week, photographing contractors who pick up day laborers in Wheaton and making plans to expand to Silver Spring and Takoma Park.

And while Stephen Schreiman, president of the Maryland chapter of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, said his group would work covertly for the time being, Casa of Maryland, a workers’ rights group that runs day laborer centers in Silver Spring, Wheaton and Takoma Park, said it would take the opposite approach...

...

‘‘We are going to target them in a specific way,” said Executive Director Gustavo Torres. Casa representatives will go out with cameras and video cameras to record the Minutemen, but that will only be the first step, he said.

‘‘Then we are going to picket their houses, and the schools of their kids, and go to their work,” Torres said.

....

‘‘In this area, the commercial sector hasn’t been harmed in the sense of people being deprived from work because of the day laborers being here,” he (Erwin Mack, Takoma-Langley Crossroads Development Authority) said. ‘‘Consequently, while there are issues with their right to be in the United States, that’s not what we’re concerned about. We’re concerned that they wait in an area that doesn’t hurt our commercial properties.”

....

Schreiman said his group plans to turn its findings over to local and state law enforcement, though he said he was not aware of Takoma Park’s status as a Sanctuary City. Takoma Park law prohibits any employee, including its police officers, from assisting or cooperating with federal investigations or arrests related to immigration issues.

‘‘That’s blatantly a criminal act as far as I’m concerned,” Schreiman said. ‘‘That means they’re aiding and abetting the transport and hiring of illegals, if they refuse to cooperate.”

[Travis McGee]

Exactly.

[EDINVA]

"Takoma Park is a brain free zone."

lol. and oh, so true !

[TXBubba]

The old farts and pony tail folks are definitely in Austin. Can't say if they are restricted to this area though. But my comment was aimed at these folks...and they have plenty further south than Austin: If we knew their immigrant status then we could check their background for criminal records. But around here (in Takoma Park and Montgomery County, MD), everybody wants to give 'em great big hugs, free education, free meals, rent assistance... they don't care if they may be criminals.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

It declared itself a nuclear-free zone a long time ago.

Yet they purchase and use power generated at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power plant...

[PleaDeal]

I ask you...what would do immediately...if you saw someone taking pictures and following YOUR CHILDREN to school??

See what I'd do here

[rolling_stone]

Takoma Park is filled with crazy liberals. They are always coming up with some Loonie idea or another.



sounds like Dupont Circle...

[sgtbono2002]

Well Dupont circle probably has a few more queers than Takoma Park ,but I believe Liberals and queers think a lot alike and go together like peaches and Cream.

[bobwilgo]

See what I'd do here


YES!!

I like people who can make a quick desision and act w/o fear and not doubt right from wrong.
I logged that link of your's..looks like some good reads in there.

[Froufrou]

Sure! Banks always charge fees anyway! I've got the perfect law firm for you: Dewey, Screwham & Howe... ;o)

[Froufrou]

Yeah. To keep you from burning through your seatbelt, they could make it illegal to smoke in your own car!

[Just A Nobody]

Good one PleaDeal!

[Just A Nobody]

they could make it illegal to smoke in your own car!

They are already trying that.....if you have CHILDREN in the car. Dam_ commies

[walford]

"What's with this 'sanctuary city' nonsense? I've never heard of such a thing! What good are the police if not to be able to assist in fed investigations?! Outlandish!"

Being a native to the area, none of this is surprising.

Takoma Park has a socialist mayor for years and is still a 'nuclear-free zone.' During the Cold War, I always felt safe when there, knowing that Soviet missiles would spare Takoma Park -- even though it borders DC.

[walford]

EDIT: "Takoma Park HAD a socialist mayor..."

[Froufrou]

"I always felt safe when there, knowing that Soviet missiles would spare Takoma Park -- even though it borders DC."

Wow, good thing you could type that, I'm sure there was too much tongue in cheek for you to have said it! ;o)

[VietVet]

" 'It declared itself a 'Nucular -Free' zone a long time ago'

Yet they purchase and use power generated at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant..."

Oh... consistancy is just the hobgoblin of little minds, doncha know (sarcasm off)

[jbstrick]

“The next time these fools hold a rally in my area I’m going to rent a panel van from Enterprise. It’s going to be dark green.
I’m going to purchase a couple of magnetic signs that say:

I.C.E. on them in big block letters.”

And that, my friend will get you thrown in jail. You cannot impersonate a federal officer.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

‘‘Then we are going to picket their houses, and the schools of their kids, and go to their work,” Torres said.

This is of course a blatant threat. This guy and his terrorist organization should be immediate arrested.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

I.C.E. on them in big block letters.” And that, my friend will get you thrown in jail. You cannot impersonate a federal officer.

Not if he's got the van loaded with bags of ICE. ;-)

[Lurker]

And that, my friend will get you thrown in jail.

How can driving around in a van full of bags of ICE be illegal?

L