http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 203/NEWS01

04/26/06 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom
Day laborers take fight to council
Advocates ask Cresitello to stop daily police watch

BY ROB SEMAN
DAILY RECORD

MORRISTOWN -- Emotions from town residents on the issue of immigrants living illegally in the United States and Morristown flared at a council meeting Tuesday night, following more than three months of parrying between town officials and immigrant advocates.

A group of about 20 Hispanic day workers and members of immigrant advocacy group Wind of the Spirit handed Mayor Donald Cresitello a letter asking him to halt measures they feel are meant to oppress them.

The group also gave Cresitello and the town council cards signed by 100 or so residents asking the mayor to stop sending police to Morris Street to deter contractors from hiring day laborers.

"We are not enemies of anyone, we aren't harming anyone, nor do we want enemies nor are we criminals, nor are we terrorists that you have to send the police to watch everyday," stated the letter.

The letter also requested a dialog among local officials, churches, business people and others "to look for solutions." It was signed The Day Laborers of Morristown.

Cresitello responded by saying that while he supports Wind of the Spirit's fundamental mission of advocating dignity for everyone, he would continue to crack down on illegal immigration and overcrowding in the town.

"I don't intend to back off this position unless the governing body asks me to do that," Cresitello said.

Cresitello said that since the start of the year, the town has issued 100 summonses for overcrowding violations, and collected about $30,000 in fines. He said he plans to have federal officials deputize town police officers to enforce immigration laws.

Cresitello called those who employ illegal immigrants "unscrupulous businessmen who are working these people like slaves."

The presentation of the letter set off a sometimes heated exchange in the filled council chambers, both for and against the immigrants.

"I urge you to take a look at an approach to help the laborers and allow them to have a meal everyday," said Esperanza Porras-Field, who addressed the council on the issue in September.

A flag statement

Councilman Timothy Jackson, taking hold of the American flag behind the council chairs, noted that it represented a place for the hopes and dreams of those who came here, but also said that it was built through blood and sacrifice.

Jackson said that those advocating immigrants rights would do well to appreciate that sacrifice, while exaggerations of the problem some say they cause, such as crowding street corners, must be put to an end.

Jose Bastarikka, a Morristown attorney, said that while some day laborers on the street are illegal, the town cannot simply assume they all are.

"They're here, please give them the opportunity and treat them with dignity, treat them as you would want to be treated yourself."

Alexia Wallace, 31, who came to Morristown in 1981 from Jamaica, argued that immigrants are taking opportunities from those who are in the country legally, and said legal residents cannot afford to work on the wages offered to illegal immigrants.

"We are not against you, but we as Americans want to get what we are supposed to get,"Wallace said. "Why is it so easy for Hispanics to get opportunities we're supposed to have?"

Wallace said that some day laborers have solicited her daughters as they walk down the street. Another man, who declined to give his name to the Daily Record, told the council that police should "keep an eye on them (day laborers)."

"If it were all black or minorities standing there, you would have state police and everybody watching," the man, who was black, said.

Overflowing emotion

The exchange carried on outside after the discussion in the council chambers, as a man stopped in front of Bastarikka and asked the Latino attorney, "are you a veteran?"

Bastarikka replied that he was not.

"What have you done for the country?" the man retorted.

Since Cresitello took office as mayor in January, he and the immigrant resource group have clashed over the rights of day laborers.

Cresitello vowed that the efforts of the town to crack down on overcrowding in local homes and apartments would not only continue, but increase. The town hired more inspectors this year, and has continued handing out fines to landlords and tenants.

Cresitello also ordered police officers to patrol the train station in the mornings starting in February, in order to stop contractors from picking up undocumented workers. Police have warned contractors they have caught in the act that their names will be sent to the state Department of Labor.

In response, Wind of the Spirit in late February held a workshop explaining to local immigrants how to exercise their rights during police searches and other actions.

Last month members of the organization attended a rally for immigrants' rights in Liberty State Park along with other pro-immigrant advocates, and last week Wind of the Spirit organized a rally on the Green among three churches calling on Cresitello to curb his efforts.

The group last week said they would not call for local immigrants to strike during a national Day Without Immigrants Strike scheduled for May 1.



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Rob Seman can be reached at (973) 267-9038 or rseman@gannett.com