Neb. campaign extends reach to emphasize unity (open borders alert)

Journalstar.com ^ | 6-7-2009 | Journalstar.com

[stan_sipple]

Organizers of a campaign that emphasizes unity and strengthening communities are spreading their message in a Nebraska city that’s been embroiled in debate over illegal immigration.

The “Nebraska Is Home” campaign launched Saturday in Fremont with organizers pledging they won’t delve into policy and say they just want residents to get to know their neighbors.

“Nebraska Is Home is a positive community campaign that seeks to promote Fremont’s unity and strength,” said Kristin Ostrom, who helps lead the local group. “We are doing that neighbor to neighbor.”

More than two dozen supporters gathered for the unveiling of a billboard that shows people of different ethnic backgrounds on a picnic.

The campaign previously launched in Grand Island, Crete, Schuyler and Seward. The campaign recognizes the contributions of immigrants and uses posters and billboards to spread messages of shared values among diverse groups.

The campaign’s state coordinator, Vanessa Martinez with the Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest, said she hopes eventually to involve more cities in the campaign.

The issue of illegal immigration has stirred debate in Fremont, a city of 25,000 that’s seen marked demographic changes primarily because of Hispanic work forces at meatpacking plants.

Last summer, the Fremont City Council considered and rejected a proposal that would ban hiring, renting to and harboring illegal immigrants.

Three residents then collected enough signatures to force a special election on the measure, but city officials turned to a court arguing that enacting the ordinance could make the city vulnerable to lawsuits, primarily because the federal government maintains authority on immigration law.

Earlier this year, a judge ruled the city couldn’t stand in the way of the election. The city appealed and the case is now pending with the state Court of Appeals.

While the basis for forming the group stemmed from the debate, Ostrom said the local campaign is not about making policy decisions.

Instead, organizers say it’s about getting to know neighbors.

“The reason I’m here is I believe there is a lot more to people than just where they come from,” said Gabby Ayala, who’s also helping lead the campaign. “Sometimes people are confused because they’re not sure what to expect from people from other countries.”

[mountainlion]

Terrorism without borders!

[cripplecreek]

Yesterday I watched a sparrow struggle to feed two cowbird chicks more than twice her size and it got me to thinking about illegal immigration.

The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) is North America's most notorious brood parasite. Instead of building their own nests, incubating their own eggs and raising their own nestlings, Brown-headed Cowbirds have a different breeding strategy. Cowbird females use other bird species as hosts -- laying their eggs in the nests of other bird species and relying on these hosts to incubate and raise their chicks. Scientists have now recorded that Brown-headed Cowbirds have parasitized over 220 host species, ranging from the Black-capped Vireo and Wood Thrush to the Blue-winged Teal and Red-headed Woodpecker.

[Mercat]

I’ve spent time in small western Kansas and Nebraska towns (bike riding and visiting relatives) and they are really struggling to survive. I suppose that immigrants, illegal or otherwise is a way to go. I love some of these places but don’t think I could make a living there so I don’t know what the immigrants will do. With the high gas prices last summer, some of the little bodegas were shutting down because the big trucks wouldn’t deliver to them. Sad.

[EternalVigilance]

U.S. Border Security BUMP.

Beware slick,non-threatening local campaigns like this one. Designed to deceive, and to take advantage of the intrinsic good nature of decent Americans.

[RepRivFarm]

I’m a transplant from the big city (Denver) back to small town America. (McCook, Nebraska area). It is possible to find good paying jobs in these areas, if you are educated in the right things. We don’t need any “help.”

[stan_sipple]

its incredible that some open borders advocate still insist we need illegals, even after many factories have closed.

[stan_sipple]

Good comment from the paper, although i’m surprised the diversity censors there let it through:

“Fremont is my ‘hometown.’

These people are “outsiders’ who have invaded Fremont just like the ‘illegal’ immigrants.

Fremont is NOT your hometown, and Nebraska is not your home state....you can not be considered Fremonters nor Nebraskans until you become citizens,speak English, obey our laws and make a genuine effort to become a part of
the Fremont and Nebraska and American culture!

With all due respect....thank you for listening!! “

[EternalVigilance]

Great post.

I’m a native Nebraskan, so maybe I have some standing to comment. :-)

[stan_sipple]

good luck getting the journalstar to post it