http://www.connpost.com/ci_3749502

Article created: 04/25/2006 08:19:02 AM EDT

D.C. rally demands alien rules
PETER URBAN purban@ctpost.com



WASHINGTON — A group of about 50 anti-immigration activists spoke out Monday about the dangers of allowing undocumented workers into the United States.
Led by Peter Gadiel of Kent, Conn., whose son died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York, the group gathered in Lafayette Park Monday morning to urge President Bush and Congress to enact strong border security legislation.

Gadiel, who is president of 9-11 Families for a Secure America, has been lobbying for stronger border protections since his son, James, was killed in the World Trade Center attacks.

The demonstration was organized to counter massive rallies held two weeks ago by organizations that want open borders. Gadiel opposes a Senate bill that would provide amnesty to illegal workers already in the country.

"Amnesty and open borders means death and destroyed lives of innocent Americans," he said. "It is as simple as that. We testify. We are proof of that proposition."

President Bush was in California Monday, speaking in favor of the Senate bill that would allow for eventual citizenship to some of the illegal immigrants already here. Bush said that those calling for massive deportation of the estimated 11 million foreigners living illegally in the United States are not being realistic.

"It's just not going to work," he said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., visited a Bridgeport civics class for immigrants Monday to discuss the issue. He said he supports the Senate bill.

Gadiel offered a blunt and angry response to Bush, Lieberman and other supporters of the Senate legislation — particularly the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which he claimed does not want to lose a source of cheap labor.

"The Chamber of Commerce and their open-borders connivers are saying that dead Americans is just a cost of doing business," Gadiel said. "It is greed and power that motivates them."