Thread: Anchorage immigration protest gets mixed reaction

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/anchorag ... 8191c.html

By JULIA O'MALLEY Anchorage Daily News

Published: April 11, 2006
Last Modified: April 11, 2006 at 11:47 AM

An Alaska version of the national debate over immigration policy exploded on the cold pavement outside the Federal Building on Monday afternoon when Richard Busk, a retired contractor, confronted 35 immigrants'-rights protesters waving Mexican and American flags.

"You should read Pat Buchanan's book!" Busk yelled into the crowd, referring to writings of a conservative commentator and former presidential candidate who opposed immigration.

"They are human beings! They are just here to work!" shouted Maria Rosas, an Anchorage court interpreter from Puerto Rico, rattling a poster board sign that read, "Legalize workers, Lock-up criminals."

The Anchorage demonstration, part of the National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice, was among scores across the United States meant to pressure Congress to give an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants access to citizenship and civil rights. A bill favored by immigrant advocates failed last week, and lawmakers will return to the issue in two weeks after a recess.

Rosas and other protesters tangled with Busk, who directed his comments at news media. Around them, protesters chanted, "Si se puede! Si se puede!" under a sea of billowing flags. Their chant, echoed in protests nationally, means, roughly, "Yes, we can."

A few cars honked as they sped by on C Street. Someone in an SUV slowed long enough to hurl an epithet.

"We are hard workers. Many people, even though they don't have documents, pay taxes," said Maria Solo, an Anchorage bookkeeper, who stood with the protesters.

Busk walked through the crowd and crossed C Street.

"They are going to get cocky -- the illegals -- and tell us if we don't like them here to get over it," he said. "Basically, that's talk that's not going to sit well with a good ol' American."

Busk, who worked for years in the construction industry, admitted some contractors hire undocumented workers. "They are doing work for what we used to make 20 years ago," he said.

Still, the industry could function without cheaper undocumented laborers, he insisted.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Alaska has 5,000 undocumented workers, but immigrant advocates say the population is likely higher, fluctuating seasonally.

Lina Mariscal, honorary consul for Mexico, said there are about 18,000 Mexicans in Alaska. About a third of them are undocumented.

"People come in seasonally and they do the hardest jobs -- fishing, mining, logging," said Ana Gutierrez-Scholl, a computer skills teacher from Mexico City.

Rick Melquiades del Carpio, a man from Mexico with a deeply wrinkled face and calloused hands, stood in the back of the crowd. He works for a local family-owned construction company, he said in Spanish. He came to the demonstration because he hoped U.S. immigration policy would change.

"People should have the right to have a better life," he said.

I guess if you have never paid income taxes you wouldn't know you need(documentation) a social security card.

Dems Fighting Words. That attitude is just what we need to hear. Great Find,
Dixie