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Demonstrators get earful
Monday, May 08, 2006
By Dave Murray
CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICE
A demonstration in Grand Rapids Saturday against illegal immigration turned noisy when drum-banging counterprotesters turned the event into a shout-fest.

About 60 people with flags and signs printed with slogans including "Illegals must go" and "Secure the border" were milling around downtown's Calder Plaza at 1 p.m. Saturday when a small group with a variety of drums and a banner reading "We are all immigrants" marched from behind the Kent County building.

The marchers stepped in the middle of the immigration demonstrators, sparking intense debate as each side tried to obstruct signs and drummers tried to drown out the slogans being chanted over megaphones.

Police officers arrived and told both groups that since neither had a permit to occupy the plaza, they needed to keep moving. That led to an impromptu parade through downtown, immigration protesters followed by the drummers.

Ken Passano, a Newaygo businessman who helped to organize the event, said he does not think most people realize the effect illegal immigration has on the U.S. economy, and said "pollywog politicians" are afraid to take a stand.

"This is the biggest crisis in this country since Pearl Harbor, and people don't realize that," he said. "If (politicians) give in and have another amnesty program, the floodgates will open."

Passano belongs to a group called Veterans Concerned for America, and said people in the country illegally should not receive government benefits or be allowed to own property.

The protest comes several weeks after about 7,000 people filled the plaza to demonstrate against bills being debated in Congress that would criminalize illegal entry into the country.

James Foley, a Vietnam veteran who lives in Belmont, said he is opposed to guest worker programs or for granting amnesty to people living in the country illegally.

"We're creating a permanent underclass," he said. "These people aren't going to stay in these low-paying jobs, and when they move up, even more people will come across the border."

Some engaged in civilized debate with the counterprotesters. Others went toe-to-toe and attempted to scream over the drums.

Counter-protesters held signs reading, "Corporations take jobs, not immigrants," and "No human is illegal."

"I feel that as a white person I have a responsibility to confront racism," said Alex Berkman, a Grand Rapids resident. "The people who are out here against immigration are espousing a racist agenda."