Just bus them on in!

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Latino civil-rights group to demonstrate in Freehold tonight

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 03/5/07
BY NICK PETRUNCIO
FREEHOLD BUREAU

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FREEHOLD -- Three Latino civil-rights groups plan to demonstrate at 6:45 this evening in front of borough hall.

The groups intend to protest certain ad hoc committee recommendations to the Borough Council that landlords rent only to U.S. citizens or those in the country legally and that fines against unscrupulous landlords be doubled or tripled, according to a news release from the Monmouth County chapter of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey.

The alliance contends that the proposed rental policy could result in discriminatory
practices, including landlords not renting to people based on their appearance. In a release today, the alliance, Casa Freehold and the United Day Laborers of Freehold said they are against the fines because there are insufficient protections for tenants and landlords could pass the cost of the fines onto the tenants.

The groups also are calling for the resignation of a borough councilman, who made remarks that segments of the Hispanic community are promiscuous.

Councilman Marc LeVine has offered an apology, but has refused to step down.

The mayor and council have said they are against illegal immigration because it put a strain on resources and infrastructure, including schools. They also have said they are not against a group of people.

Frank Argote-Freyre, director of the Monmouth chapter of the alliance, has said he does not believe this and thinks borough leaders are scapegoating Hispanics. He has acknowledged that the immigration system in the country is broken, but believes the issue should be addressed at the federal level because enforcing immigration policy at the local level only serves to divide a community.