Thread: Councilman calls colleague's comments racist

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Councilman calls colleague's comments racist


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BY BRYAN VIRASAMI
STAFF WRITER

June 24, 2005

A low-key City Council debate over vendors and their immigration status became spirited after a controversial Brooklyn Democrat yesterday accused a Staten Island Republican of making racist remarks.

While the City Council approved a handful of legislation, Republican Councilman James Oddo of Staten Island denounced a bill that would prohibit the city from asking the immigration status of those seeking vendor's licenses.

Oddo said that the proposal - whose chief sponsor is Councilman Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn), a self-described black radical - would turn a blind eye to illegal immigration.

"The difference between my forefathers apparently and some others is that my forefathers came here legally," Oddo said. "These folks came here illegally and we're setting a structure in place not to question it, and if we find out about it, not to do anything."

Moments after the meeting, Barron called Oddo's comments "racist."

"He thinks every immigrant is illegal," Barron said. "We're talking about legal immigrants who are green card holders."

Barron said he wasn't encouraging undocumented immigrants to get vendor's licenses, adding that asking about someone's status was discriminatory.

"They have contributed to the intellectual, the cultural and the economic capital of the city," Barron said. "Most people here are immigrants and for him to say something like that is outrageous."

Oddo shot back that the city should be more cautious about illegal immigrants. "Need I remind folks as to who did what to us on 9/11?"

The vendor's bill was approved with a 42-8 vote. Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to sign it, a spokesman said.

Two other bills passed yesterday would make it easier for the poor to apply for food stamps and give drivers with parking tickets some reprieve from tow trucks. The first bill would allow people to apply for their benefits on the Internet and by fax and waive face-to-face interviews in certain circumstances.

The council also approved a proposal to raise the amount of parking violation judgments and interest that car owners would have to owe before they get towed to $350 from $230.

A spokesman for the mayor said he is expected to sign the bill.

Barron said he wasn't encouraging undocumented immigrants to get vendor's licenses, adding that asking about someone's status was discriminatory.

Mr. Barron is a complete jackass. Asking about immigration status is no different than a police officer asking for your drivers license and insurance card.
There is a huge difference between being here legally or illegally.

Is there any surprise that there are so many illegals in this country with morons like this on the loose? And this clown is an elected official.

New York is asking for trouble. They knew it when they passed the bill. I'd say next time they are on their own.