Thread: Local Immigration Rally in Mason City, Iowa

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Local Immigration Rally


Anthony Welsch
Mason City, IA (KIMT)
Saturday, August 19, 2006

People from both Minnesota and Iowa were speaking out today hoping to crack down on illegal immigration, and cut back on the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country.

About a dozen people, all fighting for a common cause.

"We're against illegal immigration and we're for lowering the numbers of illegal immigrants," Linney Birtch of Austin said.

But outside that group, those feelings weren't common at all.

"This is a... free country but you guys make it... not free," a passerby said to the group.

The anti-illegal immigration rallies in both Mason City and Northwood later in the day met their share of support.

And passionate arguments opposing them.

"They work harder than you and get paid less than you," the passerby said.

"I think things are out of control. We've got a do-nothing congress. What's that tell ya?" Bob Earl, a demonstrator from Austin said.

Since the National guard would be deployed to the border talk has calmed nationally. But, closer to home, the issue is still stewing.

"It hasn't died down, it just isn't in front of us as much because of Congress," Birtch said.

When it comes to illegal and legal immigration, both sides aren't anywhere near staying quiet for long. There was plenty of evidence to support that in downtown middle America showing that today.

"I want to be part of this because you know, people should, to save the country," Birtch said.

Even if two distinct sides can't agree on what "saving the country" might mean.

The group protested for about 45 minutes outside the post office and Central Park in Mason City. Then, they headed to downtown Northwood to spread their message.

The Mason City Police Department says there wasn't any violence with the protests, they didn't receive a single call.

http://www.globegazette.com

Published: Saturday, August 19, 2006 8:12 PM CDT

Immigration protest comes to Mason City


By PEGGY SENZARINO, Of The Globe Gazette

MASON CITY — More than a dozen members of the Minnesota Coalition for Immigration Reduction brought their campaign to Mason City Saturday with a downtown protest.

Supporters gathered across the street from the Mason City Post Office in the 200 block of North Delaware Avenue Saturday morning. Several protesters waved American flags. Others carried signs which read, “If You Are Illegal Go Home” and “Build the Wall.”

“There isn’t a town in the United States that isn’t having a problem with this issue,” said Paul Westrum of Albert Lea, Minn.

Westrum said his group wants the number of legal immigrants cut back from the present level of nearly 1 million per year to 200,000.

The group also believes illegal immigration should be stopped. Illegal immigrants should not be granted amnesty and English should be made our national language.

“I have grandchildren and I don’t want them living in an overcrowded, third world slum,” said Duane Crum of Mason City.

Crum opposes amnesty programs currently under discussion by Congress.

“They can bring their whole families. And of course they are going to be poor. We are going to destroy the middle class,” he said.

Crum disagrees with the contention that immigrants are willing to do jobs that American citizens are not.

“There’s no such thing as work Americans won’t do,” he said.

Some drivers honked their horns in support of the group as they passed by. Others waved or gave the protesters the thumbs-up sign.

An unidentified Hispanic woman who identified herself as an employee of Mercy Medical Center — North Iowa parked her vehicle nearby, crossed the street and chastised the protesters.

“We pay taxes too,” she said.

“If you’re an American citizen why aren’t you here with us?” asked Crum.

The woman had a short exchange with Crum and Westrum.

“Ignorance,” she said crossing the street to her car.

Westrum said his organization has Hispanic members.

“This is not about people. It’s about people that don’t follow our laws,” Westrum said.

After about 45 minutes on North Delaware, the protesters moved to Central Park.

Reach Peggy Senzarino at 421-0532 or peggy.senzarino@globegazette.com.