Rally supporting Arizona immigration law met by protesters
Demonstrators called for similar policy in Texas.



Demonstrators gather at the Capitol on Saturday in support of the Arizona immigration law. The rally ended an hour early after each speaker had an opportunity to address the crowd.
Larry Kolvoord


Chuck and Shelley Watts of Frost were front and center at a Saturday rally in support of Arizona's new immigration law. More than 100 supporters and about 100 counterprotesters showed up for the demonstration, held on the south steps of the Capitol.
By Lindsey Bomnin AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Updated: 9:09 p.m. Saturday, June 12, 2010

Published: 8:45 p.m. Saturday, June 12, 2010

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A group called Texans For Arizona's New Immigration Law rallied on the south steps of the Capitol on Saturday afternoon. The event had speakers and a band and counterprotesters.

Texans for Arizona, numbering more than 100, according to event organizer Catherine Smith , set up a stage for The Watts Brothers Band and speakers from other groups, including the Texas Sons of Liberty , the Coalition For an Illegal Free America and the Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas.

But just as the first speaker, demonstrator Brenda Jacobs , got on stage about noon, about 100 counterprotesters walked up to barricades surrounding the rally, chanting "up, up with immigration, down, down with deportation," and holding signs that read, "SB1070 is white supremacy" and "Being brown is not a crime."

Department of Public Safety officers formed a dividing line between the two groups. Aside from verbal jabs, the two groups remained peaceful. DPS spokesman Daniel Rumsey said there were no arrests.

"I'm glad I live in a country that allows opinions to be heard," Jacobs said. "It represents what this country is about."

Jacobs said children born of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. draw American tax dollars that are then used to support illegal immigrants.

"I don't want my grandchildren to inherit a welfare nation," Jacobs said.

As she spoke, the group of pro-Arizona law demonstrators sat on lawn chairs and waved American flags.

Smith said her group is not affiliated with the tea party movement and that "We really want to push that we're not racist. This is not about race."

Micah "Hoss" Coston, president of the Texas Sons of Liberty, which describes itself as a patriotic group, said he hopes Texas follows Arizona's example, so that immigrants can understand the value of earning their citizenship.

"We, the Sons of Liberty, and the sons of Texas, welcome all immigrants," Coston said. "But the back door has to be closed."

R.J. Lindsey, a representative of the Coalition For an Illegal Free America, told the assembled crowd that illegal immigrants increase the crime rate and deplete American resources.

"The only thing they're entitled to is a ride back to where they came from," Lindsey said.

Khalil El-Eathy, who has lived in Austin for about a year, said he brought the counterprotesters together through Facebook. El-Eathy said Arizona's law is a form of legalized racial profiling supported by white supremacists.

"There needs to be a strong anti-racist presence in this city," El-Eathy said. "We understand that it's our power that's going to stop it."

After about an hour and a half, the counterprotesters walked to the front of the Capitol gates facing Congress Avenue to continue their protesting in the downtown area.

"I knew they were coming, and it turned out well," Smith said. "They voiced their opinions without altercations, and I think that's beautiful."

The rally, scheduled to run until 3 p.m., ended an hour early after each speaker had a chance to say their piece, Smith said.

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