Sign Sparks Immigration Controversy
Reported by: Katie Burcham - WMBD/WYZZ TV
Thursday, Jul 12, 2007 @03:53pm


WMBD/WYZZ - BLOOMINGTON - Mugsy's Pub owner Phil Bouldz says he decided to celebrate Independence Day by exercising his right to free speech. He says, "Obviously there's a lot of people in this country that are not happy with the direction this country is going."

And Bouldz is one of them. He says he is doing his patriotic duty by displaying his political beliefs for the world to see - on the Mugsy's sign. Bouldz says, "I don't know if I see myself as a leader, I just see myself as more a concerned citizen, just like everybody else that drives up and down the street."

Bouldz's sign criticizes illegal immigration and urges residents to speak out against amnesty in an immigration bill. Bouldz says a proposed "North American Union" with Mexico would open the floodgates to millions of people America is not equipped to handle. He says, "Our constitution is being trampled on pretty bad, our civil rights are being trampled on pretty bad, and I think most people are probably in agreement with me."

But not Liz Acevedo-Alstrum. She is an immigrant herself, and says Bouldz's sign sends a clear message - go back where you came from. Acevedo says, "It brings me sadness because I really didn't expect that from a community like Bloomington Normal."

Acevedo says immigrants just want the chance for a better life, and in this immigration battle, that is one point Bouldz agrees with. He says, "I don't blame em really, it's easy to get over the border, and if I was looking for a better life, I would do the same thing too. But at the same time, if our country takes on more than it can handle, it's gonna be bad for our country."

http://centralillinoisproud.com/content ... /?cid=3055