Thread: Successful Rally in Minnesota Today!

We had a successful rally today even though it POURED the whole time. If it would of been a nice day we would of had a lot more people - but people stood in the rain for 3 hours to hear the speakers and some drove 2 hours each way to get there so that's pretty dedicated

The National Director of the Minuteman project was there as well as other speakers - pretty exciting that Minnesota finally has a group


http://www.startribune.com/462/story/401735.html

Groups rally in Minneapolis for tighter immigration
Emma Crew, Associated Press
Last update: April 29, 2006 – 6:03 PM

Ruthie Hendrycks, who founded Minnesotans Seeking Immigrant Reform, waves a U.S. flag during a rally outside the federal courthouse which calls for tighter immigration controls in Minneapolis Saturday.

JAYME HALBRITTER, Associated Press


Groups rally in Minneapolis for tighter immigration
About 75 people who fought the rain and cold to attend a rally at the federal courthouse Saturday heard calls for tighter immigration controls and demands that more immigrants adopt English.
A small Minnesota organization calling itself Minnesotans Seeking Immigration Reform headlined the rally but was joined by the Minuteman Project, a national volunteer group that patrols the border to keep out illegal immigrants.

"What we are trying to do is bring awareness to the citizens of Minnesota concerning the issue of illegal immigration," said Ruthie Hendrycks, a rural New Ulm woman who founded the Minnesota group. Hendrycks said the group wants the government to close the country's borders and toughen its immigration laws.

The group was formed a month ago and has about 150 members, Hendrycks said.

Bryan Kuntz, a Chaska man who attended the rally, complained that he can't communicate with many people in the building where he lives because they don't speak English. He also said he disagreed with proposals in Congress that would allow many illegal immigrants to remain in the country.

"We don't legalize behavior because of numbers," he said. "Sheer numbers of people breaking the law doesn't call for change."

The crowd gathered around a tent-covered podium to hear the speakers while people in the crowd held signs that read "Our National Anthem is in English" and "Enforce our Laws." One man gave Hendrycks a $1,000 check for Minnesotans Seeking Immigration Reform.

The Minuteman Project executive director Stephen Eichler also spoke, telling the group his organization supports "all those good folks who believe in the United States of America and citizenship.

"Citizenship is precious and not something to be taken for granted," he said.

Eichler said his group has now adopted Minnesotans Seeking Immigration Reform as a chapter and was working toward patrolling parts of the northern border.

Organizers said they chose the courthouse as the site for their rally because it's where immigrants take citizenship oaths.

The rally came two days before immigrants planned to boycott work and school, in Minnesota and across the country, for a day to show their importance to the economy and education. Thousands of immigrants also turned out earlier this month at the Capitol for a rally.

The Rev. Jesse Peterson of the California-based Brotherhood Organization of New Destiny, which helps troubled young men, delivered an opening prayer. Peterson said black citizens are suffering in California because of illegal immigration.

He said the black community was losing out to illegal immigrants in schools, jobs and housing. "In south central L.A., in Compton, (blacks are) being run out of their own community," Peterson said. "This is not a civil rights issue, this is a moral issue."

Eichler said Minnesotans could expect the same without stronger checks on the flow on newcomers into the country.

I am glad it turned out well for your protest, now if we can just keep them going all over the United States and get media attention!

GO MINNESOTA!!!

Great news that you had a great day!!

Keep up the good work!!