Thread: ALIPAC-CNN: Immigrant activists call out 'Illegal Alien' cos

ALIPAC NOTE: Please notice the bias in this CNN article. This CNN reporters gives those opposing the costume the first and last words. He also gives those opposing more quotes, sources, and text for their side. It is this kind of slant that has earned CNN a national reputation as being a highly biased source.

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Immigrant activists call out 'Illegal Alien' costumes

Sat October 17, 2009


By Edmund DeMarche
CNN


NEW YORK (CNN) -- Immigrant rights activists are calling on U.S. retailers to stop selling two controversial "Illegal Alien" costumes that have surfaced for Halloween, saying the outfits are a broadside attack on illegal immigrants.

The "Illegal Alien Adult Costume," manufactured by Forum novelties, includes an orange jumpsuit, similar to prison garb, with "Illegal Alien" stamped in black across the chest; a space alien mask; and a fake Green Card. The "Illegal Alien Mask with Hat" also includes a space alien mask, this time with a dark handlebar mustache and a baseball cap.

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles said it began receiving e-mails from concerned legal immigrants on Friday. In response, CHIRLA wrote a letter asking several retailers, including Target, Walgreens, and Amazon.com, to stop offering the costume.

As of Saturday afternoon, Target had pulled the products, and some links to the costumes on other sites were no longer functional.

Target said the "Illegal Alien" costume was inadvertently uploaded to its Web site due to a data entry error.

"It is never our intent to offend the consumers with the products we offer," a company statement said.

The makers of the costumes could not be reached for comment on Saturday.

Jorge-Mario Cabrera, the director of communications for CHIRLA, said he initially thought the costume was a stab at harmless satire. But when he saw the Green Card, he realized it was an swipe at illegal immigrants.

"This was an ignorant attempt to poke fun at a small community," said Cabrera.

Political satire and Halloween often merge. Costumes depicting former well-known political figures are often seen along side those depicting Batman or Wonder Woman.

To some, the attempted humor of the costumes falls flat.

Guillermo Iglesias said both of his parents were illegal immigrants in the United States. He felt the costumes were offensive because they depicted illegal immigrants as "not one of us."

"I have a lot of illegal immigrant friends," said Iglesias. "If I showed them that costume, it would really hurt them."

Despite the controversy, some stores say the costumes have been a hit.

"It's a very well-recommended costume," said an employee at Ricky's, a costume store in New York City. The store has sold seven costumes for $39.99 apiece and is set to receive another shipment.

William Gheen, the president of Americans for Legal Immigration, said he intends to buy the costume, and calls the reaction unfounded.

"The only people getting upset are the hyper-sensitive, over-politically correct, pro-amnesty, illegal alien-supporting nuts," said Gheen. "You can't attack people's freedom in this country."

"I think having a costume like that is distasteful," said Andrea Hill, outside of Ricky's. "But if it's not illegal, I think it's alright for them to sell it."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/17/illega ... t.costume/

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Guillermo Iglesias said both of his parents were illegal immigrants in the United States. He felt the costumes were offensive because they depicted illegal immigrants as "not one of us."

Your parents are illegals. They are "not one of us."

I don't see a place where you can comment on this CNN piece. Anyone wonder why?

I'd buy it!

Originally Posted by Ratbstard

I'd buy it!

I have already ordered mine Hell, I'll go on FOX or CNN wearing one if they want me to lol. I think the costume is funny.

W

added to the homepage

http://www.alipac.us/article-4604-thread-1-0.html

This is so funny. We should all buy one of these things. My problem is I live in an Hispanic neighborhood. They would probably shoot me and shove me in the gutter. They protect each other around here. I wish my government protected me the way they do each other.

But, thank goodness for Sheriff Joe!

Originally Posted by Mayday

I don't see a place where you can comment on this CNN piece. Anyone wonder why?

CNN does not usually allow a comment after any story.
if they did, they would surely get negative posts on their coverage of stories and they dont want to see that

Originally Posted by ALIPAC

Originally Posted by Ratbstard

I'd buy it!

I have already ordered mine Hell, I'll go on FOX or CNN wearing one if they want me to lol. I think the costume is funny.

W

That would be funny!

I support it, although I usually do not buy costumes or dress up myself (the kids have pretty much outgrown Halloween, and where we live, I'd best not wear it and be seen in it, the same as laughinglynx).

I saw this on my Fox gadget, and pulled up the article, and laughed at the costume, it is really funny!!