Posted on 05/12/2006 9:08:57 PM PDT by Libloather
Dueling protests reflect immigration divide
By SUZANNE GAMBOA
Associated Press Writer
May 12. 2006 10:41PM
Reflecting the American divide over immigration, protesters on both sides stood a few feet from each other near the Capitol shouting chants and exchanging accusations of racism.
The protesters were kept apart Friday by helmeted police officers who stood inside a ring of yellow police tape.
A Minuteman Project rally marked the end of a cross-country caravan by the anti-immigration group, whose members patrol the U.S.-Mexican border in search of illegal border crossers. The caravan began in Los Angeles.
Minuteman demonstrators, who numbered less than 100, castigated an immigration bill before the Senate next week that would give millions of illegal immigrants a chance at American citizenship.
"They are literally going to shove an amnesty down our throats," said Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist.
As the group held its hourlong rally, about 20 pro-immigrant demonstrators shouted, "No Minutemen. No KKK. No Fascist USA!" Gilchrist responded by telling the counter protesters to "Get out of my face."
The Minuteman rally was tiny compared with the pro-immigrant marches and protests held across the country in the past month.
Bud Peters, 40, of Kingman, Ariz., said it was the size of those protests that motivated him to ride his motorcycle from Kingman for Friday's rally.
"I knew (illegal immigration) was big in my state, but I didn't realize it was that bad here. It woke a lot of people up," said Peters, a general contractor who says he does not hire illegal immigrants.
On the other side, David Benzaquen, 22, who immigrated from Morocco with his parents and is now a U.S. citizen, said, "It's absolutely imperative to get amnesty for immigrants who come here. Without it, we wouldn't have the industries and economy the way we have."
A contentious debate is expected next week in the Senate, and President Bush plans to address the nation Monday night on the issue. Bush has called for a comprehensive bill that would allow some illegal immigrants to remain in the U.S. as guest workers.
Supporters of the Minuteman Project during a rally on Capitol Hill Friday, May 12, 2006, (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Minuteman Project Executive Director Steve Eichler takes part in a rally on Capitol Hill Friday, May 12, 2006, (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
C-Span has some replay coverage right now...
I didn't know if you had seen this particular AP article yet. I have not.
I'm so sick of the media and their usage of the labels "anti-immigrant," "anti-immigration" and "pro-immigrant."
I did not hear anyone on the Minuteman side utter any charges of racism against the counter demonstrators.
Perhaps this "reporter" has a need to portray moral equivalence.
Don't be fooled, Bush is only using the National Guard to get amnesty passed.
Thanks.
I'm so sick of these turds and their foolish quotes that I could puke.
"It's absolutely imperative to get amnesty for immigrants who come here. Without it, we wouldn't have the industries and economy the way we have."
Yep, the United States was an economic basket case, filled with nothing but wastrels unwilling to lift a finger, until illegal aliens crashed the border en masse, in a fit of mass altruism. /sarc
Proposals to put the Guard on the border could have been made at any time during the past six years. Why now?
You answered it.
I saw steve eichler on abc evening news.
This guy looked and sounded like Howard Dean only from the right wing.
This is not a good thing.
There should have been more supporters there with the Minutemen! What a shame, as we all sit here and complain!
"not a good thing"
I agree. As someone on FOX put it, he needs to have his medications adjusted.
You bet! They are protesting because they may lose their free ride. There are plenty volunteers to escort the bums out of here.
The American people should hold President Bush's feet to the fire.
We have laws that apply to every American citizen, we have laws that apply to everyone entering America.
There should be no confusion as to how to handle the illegal issue, just apply the laws that apply to this situation of illegals, plain, but not simple.
Follow the laws!!!!
President Bush says there is no way we can deport 12 million people. It is just can't be done.
Mexico did.
--Ted Nugent
LOL :) good one!
Bump to you two! They really have contempt for our intelligence. November will tell us if we are a paper tiger country or fighters. I prefer the latter.
Ted is great : )
Ted is great : )
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