http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/ ... temen.html

Border patrol message comes to Atlanta

By TERESA BORDEN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/10/06
About 100 enthusiastic supporters gathered in front of the Georgia Capitol Tuesday evening to welcome the 15-vehicle Minuteman caravan as it arrived in Atlanta.

The group, which supports strict immigration controls and stronger border enforcement, has been touring across the country since May 3 and will end its journey on Friday in Washington D.C., where organizer Jim Gilchrist hopes to present a petition with thousands of signatures.

In Atlanta, they prayed, said the Pledge of Allegiance, and sang the national anthem.

"We're going to put the U.S. Senate on notice," Gilchrist said as he waited for his turn to speak before the crowd. "If we cannot move them with our rhetoric, we will certainly move them out of office with our votes."

Supporters cheered and held up signs that read "Save America's Borders" and "Secure Our Borders" as the vehicles emblazoned with Minuteman Project signs drove by the front of the Capitol before parking in a secure area. Among them was Craig Barnes, 50, of Atlanta, who said he had joined the group that day and intends to go with them Memorial Day to the Arizona border, where members will watch the border and report illegal immigrants to the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"It's a mass influx," Barnes said. "Our sovereignty is at stake."

Barnes said he believes illegal immigration could be effectively ended with two actions: sending the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border to shut it down, and fining those who employ illegal immigrants.

"It would be more of a peaceful evolution," he said. "If they don't have a job, they won't be able to stay. They'll leave on their own."

Asked whether he expects an immigration reform bill this year, Barnes was skeptical.

"It's an election year," he said. "They'll probably get serious after the election."

Marti Lewis, 57, of Duluth, agreed. She said she is concerned about illegal immigrants depleting hospital services and public health programs and driving down wages.

"These employers who work these people at $5, $6, $7 an hour are criminals themselves," she said.

Lewis said she believes the Senate will come up with an immigration reform bill this year.

"We want them to follow the law," she said of immigrants. "The rules are the rules, the laws are the laws."