Immigration Rally Draws Crowd Week Before Vote
Posted: Jun 15, 2010 8:12 PM PDT Updated: Jun 15, 2010 8:12 PM PDT

Todd Unger

FREMONT, Neb. (KPTM)- Close to 150 people rallied against a proposed illegal immigration ordinance in Fremont Tuesday night.

The vote, scheduled for a special election Monday, has already drawn a heavy, early voting turnout, according to Dodge County election officials.

Valeria Marquez, 17, says the ordinance is racist.

"We don't want division, especially towards Mexican and Hispanics where there has been a lot more racism," she told FOX 42.

Others voiced concern the ordinance will end up costing the city countless dollars in court fees.

"More and more people are realizing this law is unconstitutional. We'd spend years in court trying to request the permission to enforce this law," says Kristin Anderson Ostrom, one of the organizers of the group "One Fremont One Future."

Language in the ordinance would require renters in Fremont to obtain an occupancy license from the city. During that process, an applicant's immigration status would be checked. It would also require employers in Fremont to double–check their employees through the federal, E–Verify database.

Although people at Barnard Park were vehemently opposed to the proposal, elsewhere in town it's a far different story.

Andy Schnatz, one of the original supporters of the petition–driven ordinance, says it is long overdue.

"If the government doesn't want to do anything, it's up to the state, and if they don't, it's up to the city," says Schnatz.

Two years ago, the Fremont City Council voted down a similar ordinance. The vote was close, and a number of people who spoke to FOX 42 off–camera say it should've passed.

Schnatz says the motive behind the current proposal has nothing to do with racism, but is instead focused on making sure immigrants are legal.

"How is that being racist?" he asks.

http://www.kptm.com/Global/story.asp?S=12656106