Assault underscores tension as Congress weighs immigration reform

Sierra Times ^ | 4/12/2006 | AP Staff

[FerdieMurphy]

PORTLAND, Maine --Dozens of people pressing for rights for illegal immigrants gathered for a peaceful demonstration on Monday just minutes after a counter-protestor was bloodied by a teenager who hid his face with a bandanna.

The attacker, described as a Hispanic teenager, went after one of three white people carrying signs arguing that illegals have no rights, police said.

As the teen fled, the victim dropped to the pavement after being hit with something heavy that the teen had carried, possibly in a sock or a bandanna, said Portland Police Sgt. Robin Gauvin. There were no arrests as of late afternoon.

The victim, identified as Robert Gorman, 23, of Portland, was hauled away in an ambulance minutes before 200 people gathered. He was treated and released from Maine Medical Center.

"When you promote violence, you get violence," said the Rev. Virginia Maria Rincon, one of the organizers. "Our rally is about promoting a peaceful dialogue."

About 200 people gathered at Monument Square to voice support for reforms that would legalize undocumented immigrants. The rally was one of many across the country on Sunday and Monday calling for Congress to promote immigrants' rights.

One of the organizers, Portland attorney Rafael Galvez, said people won't forget how members of Congress vote. "They will be remembered for how they vote on this sensitive issue. They can be compassionate, or cruel," Galvez said.

The demonstrators of all colors carried signs and chanted. "This is our America. "This is what America looks like," Shenna Bellows, executive director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union, said through a bullhorn to the cheering crowd.

Not everyone agreed with the majority view. Jonathan Talbot of Portland said he supported the views of the man who was assaulted.

"I think we should enforce the laws we have. Then we go from there to decide what we want to do to assimilate these people into society," Talbot said. He described the Border Patrol's efforts as a "catch-and-release" program.

[FerdieMurphy]

"When you promote violence, you get violence," said the Rev. Virginia Maria Rincon...

Someone should ask this priestess what in hell are you talking about?

The violence is when our borders are breached by a gaggle of uneducated simpletons who have no skills and are qualified to pick fruit. Our nation's "immigrants" are being larded by America-hating Mexicans and Muslims.

[facedown]

...the victim dropped to the pavement after being hit with something heavy that the teen had carried, possibly in a sock or a bandanna,...

I'm guessing there was something in the sock, eh?

[2banana]

"When you promote violence, you get violence," said the Rev. Virginia Maria Rincon, one of the organizers.

The same sentiments the brown shorts and the black shirts had...either you agree with us or you shut the f@ck up.

[dirtboy]

Someone should ask this priestess what in hell are you talking about?

She's engaging in the liberal method of destroying basic logical concepts - because modern liberalism cannot withstand basic logic.

[Luke21]

Yeah, the comparisons with the early thirties in Germany are eerie. And the Republicans are the Social Democrats.

[jigsaw]

The victim ... was hauled away in an ambulance minutes

No bias writing there.

[stopem]

The attacker, described as a Hispanic teenager, went after one of three white people carrying signs arguing that illegals have no rights, police said.

The attacker is a lib who "came in peace" to protest because he has rights, the 3 whites had no rights they just didn't know it, sounds racist.

[trebb]

Not everyone agreed with the majority view.

How's that for bias - they know that the majority of Americans want the illegals handled, but the "reporter" insinuates that because the majority of the protestors at the site were on the side of the illegals, that the word "majority" could be snuck in.

[no dems]

I see another Civil War brewing here.

[massgopguy]

But we could shoot veterans demanding their rights in Washington after WW I.

[Rakkasan1]

violence is what happens when you give illegals what they
want.
Francisco Serrano found in Boston, charged in violent home invasion (former MN illegal)
http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/S15477.html?cat=1

[winner3000]

"When you promote violence, you get violence," said the Rev. Virginia Maria Rincon, one of the organizers.

Translation: The victim was asking for it. Thank you "Reverand" Maria.

[lakeman]

"When you promote violence, you get violence," said the Rev. Virginia Maria Rincon, one of the organizers.




Careful what you ask for you may get it in spades.

[brazzaville]

Good morning.
"But we could shoot veterans demanding their rights in Washington after WW I."

Saber wielding cavalrymen helped to scatter the poor Bonus Marchers. I wonder what the Aztlan invaders would think about that.

What would the 21st Century version look like? Maybe we'll find out this summer.

Michael Frazier

[layman]

Portland attorney Rafael Galvez, said people won't forget how members of Congress vote.

The lawyer should know that illegals cannot vote .... right? Or maybe he's threatening violence if their demands are not met? It might be an interesting summer.