Thread: AL. Immigration law protesters receive suspended sentences

Immigration law protesters receive suspended sentences

3:36 PM, Feb. 27, 2012
Written by
Brian Lyman

A group of undocumented aliens received suspended sentences Monday afternoon for blocking South Union Street during a Nov. 15 protest of Alabama's immigration law.

The defendants, ranging in age from 19 to 57, were each given five-day suspended sentences and ordered to pay a $50 fine and at least $217 in court costs. Individual defendants could pay more in court costs, depending on how many police officers were subpoenaed to appear in court for their trial.

All the protestors posted $300 bonds after their arrests in November. Michael Winter, a Montgomery attorney representing the protestors, said that his clients would either get money back or pay no more than $3 to the city.

"I think the prosecution was very fair, and the judge was very fair," Winter said. "And they all got a chance to make a statement to the judge that they came to Alabama to fight this law that, in their view and mine, is unconstitutional, immoral and unfair."

The protesters said Monday they hoped their action would encourage other undocumented aliens to organize against laws like HB 56, which criminalizes many aspects of an undocumented alien's life.

“We need to come out of the shadows, to stand up for (our) rights as undocumented immigrants, because we do have rights,” said Catalina Rios, 19, from Detroit, Mich. “We want to tell them that you do have a support system. We are here to support you.”

Winter said HB 56 did not come up during the hearing.

“They intentionally chose not to arrest them for violating that, and they didn’t abide by the provision that doesn’t entitle them to bail,” he said.

Eight defendants appeared in court; Winter said; two others were unable to make it due to car trouble.

A total of 13 people were arrested at the November 15 protest, which drew about 70 people. A minor was released to the custody of her parents; two other men who were arrested for trespassing in the State House were sentenced last month to pay $87 each in court costs. The fine came out of $300 bond both men had posted in November; the court refunded the remainder.

None of the protesters live in Alabama, but a number said outside the court Monday afternoon that they felt HB 56 could encourage other states to pass their own immigration laws.

"Any threat to an undocumented immigrant here is a threat to undocumented immigrants anywhere," Rios said.

Immigration law protesters receive suspended sentences | The Montgomery Advertiser | montgomeryadvertiser.com

“We need to come out of the shadows, to stand up for (our) rights as undocumented immigrants, because we do have rights,” said Catalina Rios, 19, from Detroit, Mich. “We want to tell them that you do have a support system. We are here to support you.”

There's the problem right there, they feel they have their rights. They get away with way too much! These people are law breakers and deserve only to return back to their own Country. Stop demanding things from us. Stop coming here to milk the system. Just stop!

Guess Its time AMERICANS take to Protesting and Let These ILLEGALS know: They HAVE RIGHTS, IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY!!, NOT HERE!!
They CHOSE to come ILLEGALLY, therefore STRIPPING themselves of ANY American Rights!

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