Posted on 12/20/2007 11:14:08 AM PST by JZelle
Seven grass-roots organizations across Virginia have joined together to form a statewide coalition to lobby state officials for tougher enforcement of immigration laws.
The umbrella group, called Save the Old Dominion, was started Dec. 13. A mission statement on the group's Web site, at www.savetheolddominion.org, says its members are dedicated to "preserving the commonwealth for future generations" and "pursuing legislative action in Virginia to reduce the number of illegal aliens unlawfully present in the commonwealth."
Greg Letiecq, president of the group Help Save Manassas and a co-founder of Save the Old Dominion, said yesterday that the group plans to form a political action committee. He said organizers likely will file for tax-exempt 501(c)4 status that will allow the group to accept donations, which organizers plan to use to support their lobbying efforts.
"What is missing is the engagement of regular citizens in legislative process," Mr. Letiecq said. "The only people who showed up last year [to [JUMP]lobby the General Assembly] was the illegal alien lobby."
He said the reaction to amnesty proposals introduced in Congress this year and the public support for Prince William County's ordinance denying services to illegal aliens shows what can happen when citizens, rather than special interests, have a voice in crafting public policy.
Corey A. Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, has said the grass-roots efforts of Help Save Manassas were instrumental in drumming up support for a resolution adopted by county officials on July 10 that restricts public services for illegal aliens. Mr. Letiecq said organizers hope to replicate their success on a statewide level.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Any similar organizations in West Virginia? I’d like to join.
I may have to leave the Lone Star state for VA after what our Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson did to the fence bill. There won’t be another foot built after today.
and the Stand Up and Be Counted begins.
The citizens of this country have had enough. We the children, and grandchildren and descendants of LEGAL immigrants, have had enough. Its about time we began to yell more loudly, hold our representatives accountable...and claim our right to OUR nation.
“There won’t be another foot built after today.”
Only if you allow her to get away with it.
This is a good start. It’s a shame the government will not enforce current laws so these organizations would not need to form to put pressure on our legislators to do so.
I've already called her office. Not much else can be done at this point since it's headed over for Jorge's signature.
Never give up. I know I wont until the dang fence is built.
bump
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.