Posted on 04/24/2006 11:51:46 AM PDT by RonDog
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Demonstrators protest outside Bush immigration speech in Irvine
IRVINE
Several hundred demonstrators from both sides of the immigration issue protested outside President Bush's speech Monday at an Orange County hotel.With Congress returning from a two-week recess, the speech let Bush relaunch his proposal for a temporary guest worker program. It also gave a venue for protesters in a region where the immigration debate has become increasingly heated.
More than an hour before Bush arrived, protesters from the Minuteman Project the volunteer border patrol group whose co-founder ran for Congress in Orange County were chanting "Go back to Mexico" and "God Bless America."
Across a driveway, a cluster of demonstrators also chanted and waved peace signs to protest the Minuteman group, Bush's immigration policy and the war in Iraq. In all, there were about 250 protesters, split evenly between both sides.
The protest outside the Hyatt Regency Irvine illustrated a political divide in Washington, D.C., where lawmakers remain far apart on whether to crack down on illegal immigrants or embrace them as vital parts of the U.S. economy.
Bush, speaking to the Orange County Business Council at an invitation-only event, said he wants a law that will strengthen border security while giving temporary guest worker permits to illegal immigrants in low-paying jobs.
"It seems rational to me and logical to me to say, 'OK, fine, you can come and do a job Americans won't do for a temporary period of time with a tamperproof card,'" Bush said.
Barbara Coe, founder and chairwoman of the group California Coalition for Immigration Reform, was among demonstrators mingling with members of the Minuteman Project.
"Bush is a traitor to this country," Coe said. "I am terrified for the future of my country and my children. It is our hope that this treacherous amnesty bill will be defeated and our further hope that our borders will be secured and the lives of our people protected."
Ron Weller, 61, a retired warehouse worker from La Habra, said he voted for Bush in 2000 but voted Independent in 2004 because he wants a border fence.
"If a fence doesn't work then why does Bush have one around the White House?" Weller asked.
Nearby, anti-Minuteman demonstrators chanted "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us."
Jim Luna, 40, a legal immigrant who came to the U.S. from Guatemala at 5, said he opposed Bush's policies and believes illegal immigrants are pawns for American corporations.
"They want the cheap labor and Mexico encourages it because they are getting money from all the illegals who send money back," Luna said.
Fellow protesters hoisted peace signs and placards reading, "Bush, stop denying the truth" and "Impeach Bush."
Marya Bangee, 19, was one of about 20 Muslin students from the University of California, Irvine who came to protest the president.
"We believe that he's the executor of unjust wars overseas," Bangee said. "We believe all people should be treated equally and this nation is made of immigrants."
Published: Monday, April 24, 2006 10:19 PDT
So many demands for one President!
This shows that compromising earns Bush no support. He should just pick the hard right side and stay on it.
...Marya Bangee, 19, was one of about 20 Muslin students from the University of California, Irvine who came to protest the president...Muslin?
UCI apparently has a REALLY "diverse" student body!
-"If a fence doesn't work then why does Bush have one around the White House?" Weller asked.-
I was wondering that very same thing.
There's plenty to go around.
Demonstrators protest outside Bush immigration speech in Irvine
Posted by Ladycalif
On News/Activism 04/24/2006 10:25:52 PM PDT · 27 replies · 405+ views
Mercury News ^ | April 24, 2006 | GILLIAN FLACCUS
Demonstrators [from BOTH sides] protest outside Bush immigration speech in Irvine [CA]
Posted by RonDog
On News/Activism 04/24/2006 11:51:46 AM PDT · 26 replies · 579+ views
Associated Press, via The [Riverside] Press-Enterprise ^ | April 24, 2006 | GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press
Demonstrators protest Bush's immigration policies in Irvine
Posted by LouAvul
On News/Activism 04/24/2006 10:33:02 AM PDT · 22 replies · 485+ views
modbee ^ | 4/24/06 | gillian flaccus
Bush In Irvine Report and Lots Of Pictures
4/25/06
Posted on 04/24/2006 9:25:13 PM PDT by Ladycalif
Giving an Interview
CLICK HERE for the rest of that thread
Bush Speech in Irvine - Live
Posted by DumpsterDiver
On News/Activism 04/24/2006 9:23:15 AM PDT 809 replies 7,670+ views
KFMB Radio ^ | April 24, 2006 | n/aTranscript: President Discusses Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Posted by Dr. Marten
On News/Activism 04/24/2006 1:36:56 PM PDT 167 replies 2,102+ views
Reuters ^ | 4.24.06 | Tabassum Zakaria
Great idea!
Amen.
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