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Bikers rally at state Capitol against illegal immigrants
By RON JENKINS/Associated Press Writer
June 27, 2006

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — About a dozen motorcycle riders bound for Washington, D.C., to protest illegal immigration joined politicians Tuesday at a state Capitol rally, where speakers called for a fence to guard the nation's border.

Frosty Woolridge, the leader of the group, said America was "absolutely under invasion" by illegal immigrants and that National Guard troops should be deployed to the border, a fence should be built, and employers should be stopped from hiring illegal immigrants.

Some speakers called for jail time for businessmen and others who hire illegal immigrants.

After the rally, Woolridge led his group on a trip to Tulsa. He said the riders plan to hold a large rally in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 12 to ask the president and congressional leaders to stop the spread of illegal immigration.

The cross-country trip is called the 21st Century Paul Revere Ride.

Woolridge said American citizens are becoming "collateral damage" because millions of illegal immigrants coming from Mexico are increasing education, prison and welfare costs.

Steve Merrill, spokesman for the Oklahoma Minutemen and a former immigration agent, asked the crowd of about 60: "Do we want any more illegal immigrants in this country?"

Several shouted back "No, we do not."

Merrill said the border with Mexico must be secured before there are any discussions of a guest worker program or other proposals to deal with the problem.

Rep. Kevin Calvey, R-Del City, joined in the call for a fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.

"Foremost, this is an issue of national security," said Calvey, a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 5th Congressional District.

"Right now we are under invasion," said Charlie Meadows, conservative political activist. "These people are riding these motorcycles, these modern-day horses, to awaken the people of this country."

Cindy Roddenberry, a motorcyclist and former nurse from South Carolina, said illegal immigrants are causing scores of hospitals to close by overburdening the health care system, while bringing diseases such as tuberculosis into the country.

Micha Hardy, a legal immigrant from Germany who is taking part in the motorcycle tour, said it took six years for her to become a citizen and it was not fair for illegal immigrants to be granted instant citizenship.

"It's not the economy, stupid," said Tom Roach, anti-immigration activist. "We are entitled to control our borders and the composition of the people of our country."

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