Thread: Angry Immigrants Protest at Capitol

http://cbs5.com/localnews/local_story_143191714.html

Angry Immigrants Protest at Capitol

May 23, 2005 4:16 pm US/Pacific
Angry immigrants tried to get the governor's attention Monday with a noisy protest outside his office.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has been criticized for his support of the Minuteman Project -- a group that tries to keep illegal immigrants from crossing into Arizona from Mexico.

"The governor of the people is afraid of the people," said Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Newark. "He's become an embarrassment to our state."

Immigrant groups began boarding buses for the Capitol just after sunrise to celebrate Immigrant Day. In Sacramento, they delivered an open letter to the governor and the legislature, asking them to recognize the contributions of immigrants and reject vigilantism.

"If we need to change immigration rules, let's find a fair way at the federal level," said Reshma Shamasunder of the California Immigrant Welfare Collective. "Let's support comprehensive immigration reform. Let's not invite lawless folks into our state."

Two thousand miles away, the governor was wrapping up a fundraising trip in Chicago. But Schwarzenegger's office said border security and immigrant driver's licenses are issues that the governor cannot control.

"The federal government has stepped in and made driver's licenses a federal issue because of concerns over public safety," said press secretary Vince Sollitto. "This governor will always put public safety first."

Illegal immigration is a hot-button issue. Mike Ball and James Davis were counter-protestors Monday. Their signs read, "Arnold said close the borders: Go home now."

"It's overcrowding our system," said Davis.


By John Lobertini

"The governor of the people is afraid of the people," said Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Newark. "He's become an embarrassment to our state."

Why? Because he represents Californians and not Mexifornians. The only embarrassment is that we the people have to put up with the drivel from a--clowns like Torrico and the criminals that he represents.

DEPORT ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS BECAUSE THEY ARE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO AMERICA.

The only embarassment is that he is not getting any support from other lawmakers who are not addressing the issue that

illegal aliens are criminals!!!

He is trying to do something good for his state and this is the thanks he gets? What a crock!