Thread: Culpeper boils over

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Culpeper boils over
Town councilman's meeting on illegal immigration splits residents and stirs emotions
BY KIRAN KRISHNAMURTHY
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Sunday, September 3, 2006


CULPEPER -- Angry words and an obscene gesture marked a packed meeting on illegal immigration yesterday in Culpeper, where a town councilman wants to crack down on undocumented residents.

Several blocks away, about 100 people sympathetic to undocumented workers marched, holding American and Mexican flags and chanting, "We are not criminals!"

The day's emotions were fueled by Councilman Steve Jenkins' crusade to hold accountable landlords and employers who house and hire undocumented workers. Jenkins, who says he might push to officially designate English as the town's primary language, has cited Hazelton, Pa., as an example of a city that is taking a tough stance.

Jenkins asked the overflow audience of more than 200 people to be courteous as his meeting at the library started. The civility lasted about 15 minutes.

Cristina M. Rebeil, an attorney for the Richmond-based Legal Aid Justice Center, was booed after saying the Declaration of Independence's ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness apply to all people.

"There is no difference between a person who came undocumented and myself," she said.

"Yes, there is!" someone in the audience yelled. "Shut up!" yelled another.

With that, Jenkins threatened to call upon plain-clothed police officers who had come to listen.

Supporters of reining in illegal immigration claimed undocumented workers had brought more crime, lowered property values, and had increased the burden on schools and social services in Culpeper, a town of 15,000.

"I'm really tired of hearing we are a nation of immigrants," said John Gentile, 77, of Culpeper, adding he supports legal immigration. "We are being drained."

Diego Decastro, 54, said he is trying to help his 80-year-old mother emigrate from Spain, but that he won't hire a smuggler to ferry her across the border from Mexico. "We are doing it the right way," the Culpeper resident said.

Those supportive of illegal immigrants countered that the workers pay taxes and are no more responsible for crime or lower property values than other segments of the community.

"Sometimes it makes you ashamed to be white," Carmen Jewell, 57, of Culpeper told the audience as she heard criticism of illegal immigrants. "They're human beings just like we are."

Some critics also said Jenkins' efforts and the enthusiastic response of most of the audience smacked of racism.

Maribel Ramos of Richmond, a member of the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations, said she took offense when a woman in the audience told Ramos to go back to her own country. "This is my country now," said Ramos, who was born in Peru and said her father legally immigrated to the United States.

Jenkins, a former town policeman who took his council seat July 1, said he is not targeting any race.

Near the end of the two-hour meeting, a woman sympathetic to illegal immigrants made an obscene gesture toward a young woman who had repeatedly yelled "Shut up!" at her.

Jenkins said the next step is for the Town Council and the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors to consider approving and sending a letter to Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, asking for federal intervention and assistance. He also mentioned possibly forming a local task force to examine the impact of undocumented residents on schools, social services and other areas.

At the downtown rally, Maribel Ordaz, a mother of four who has lived in Culpeper seven years, said she came to the U.S. illegally but now is documented.

"We are just here to support our race," Ordaz said. "It is not fair. We are all equal."

Marchers announced they were sending the council a letter urging rejection of measures such as those enacted in Hazelton, a town of 31,000. Like critics of the Pennsylvania town's ordinances, the demonstrators said immigration is a federal issue, not a local one.

"An ordinance such as this will have a chilling effect on the entire community by creating a climate of fear and suspicion that will put neighbor against neighbor and tear the community apart," the letter said.


Contact staff writer Kiran Krishnamurthy at kkrishnamurthy@timesdispatch.com or (540) 371-4792.

This is a GREAT example for all of our activists!

The illegal alien racists are on the OUTSIDE in the streets! Our people are on the INSIDE in the meetings using our advantages of language, culture, and procedure to take action the lawful and civic way.

The girl yelling Shut Up is angry but a bad example for our side.

This story embodies a message we have been trying to get across to our side. Make our enemies fight us where we are strong and they are weak instead of trying to fight them in the streets where they are strong and we are weak.

W

SOS needs to hear that! They are getting creamed left and right out in Mexifornia. God, all i have to do is argue with some goofy idiot liberals as its not so bad where Im at, yet.....to think it can get that bad before anything gets done is scary. HAZELTON thank you!!!

At the downtown rally, Maribel Ordaz, a mother of four who has lived in Culpeper seven years, said she came to the U.S. illegally but now is documented.

There hasn't been an amnesty in the last 7 years. How does someone illegally in the country become legal?

Trust me when I say, the supporters of illegals outnumber those opposed. We will have to keep an eye on the situation and see how it plays out.

No we on our side outnumber supporters of amnesty for illegals but most of us are content to hold our opinions in silence and do nothing. Apathy and inertness is our biggest problem.

"We are just here to support our race," Ordaz said

Yet our side is racist??
The Orwellian aspect of this whole debate!

http://www.starexponent.com/servlet/Sat ... 9190395077

Emotions run high
Allison Brophy Champion and Rhonda Simmons
Staff Writers
Sunday, September 3, 2006



More than 100 march, show solidarity in support of immigrants’ rights

More than 100 people marched in the streets of downtown Culpeper Saturday in a show of solidarity for immigrants’ rights. The procession, blanketed in sunshine, was peaceful, colorful and musical with participants hoisting both the American and Mexican flags.

They also carried signs marked with messages like: Racism is stupid, Unity brings peace, Stop aggression against immigration and We are friends, we love Culpeper.

Local shop owner Martin Bernal, 41, organized the march in response to a recent push by Town Councilman Steve Jenkins to crackdown on illegal immigration at the local level, like they did in Hazleton, Pa.

When Jenkins brought his ideas to several official government meetings and organized a town hall meeting - held Saturday at the library - to solicit comments, Bernal said, he wondered if anyone would step forward in defense of the immigrant community.

“I was waiting for the religious leaders, the Catholic or Baptist churches, maybe, I thought they were going to do something in response, but it looks like nobody wants to care about this issue,” he said. “The community was asking me about it so I said, somebody has to take it on.

Bernal added, “If we just keep our mouths shut, then later when everything is approved on paper for Mr. Jenkins, it will be too late.”

Among other things, Jenkins, a Culpeper native, supports enacting local laws that would penalize and/or fine employers and landlords for doing business with illegal immigrants. Several Town Council members, including the mayor, have come out against such initiatives, but just the idea of it had some Hispanics anxious and ready to protest.

Saturday’s police-escorted march from the Depot area to town hall included mostly Latino faces, but more than a few Caucasians, including college student Jane Jones, came out to show their support for immigrants.

“It’s really hard when you don’t feel represented and there could be a threat to your businesses and homes and your family,” said Jones, 22, who grew up in Culpeper and attends Smith College in Massachusetts. “I was really impressed that they would come out and express that they don’t appreciate trying to be scared out of their community.”

Nancy Halgren, a Culpeper resident for some 25 years, felt the same.

“I’ve always wanted to live in a community that’s inclusive and Culpeper is fairly exclusive yet we have all these folks that profess great Christian morals and I don’t think they’re displayed very well,” said the 50-something rural mail carrier. “I think it’s pretentious to think that Steve Jenkins can solve this problem when the United States government can’t, hasn’t and won’t.”

Instead of trying to “put people under his thumb,” Halgren said Jenkins should have invited everyone to join together in the discussion.

“I think these folks need to be supported, they’re here and they have great things to offer our community,” she said of the Latino culture.

Attorney Cristina Rebeil of Richmond agreed that the culture of her people is rich. She donned native Mexican garb for the march and as a member of the Legal Aid Justice Center spoke in favor of human rights for all people.

“We are upset about hostility being aimed at the Latino community,” said Rebeil. “All Latinos are not undocumented and not all people that are undocumented are Latinos. There’s been a lot of hostility and ugliness geared at us and not only is it not fair, it’s un-American.”

She said the U.S. Constitution guarantees civil rights for all, regardless of immigration status. And if Americans looked back at history, they would see that their forefathers were immigrants themselves, said Rebeil.

“They didn’t have visas - this country belonged to the Native Americans,” she said. Culpeper County High School student Monserrat Flores, 15, marched for change.

“We don’t think it’s fair what’s going on,” said Flores, who hails from California. “They don’t want to accept us and I don’t think it’s right. I hope we can change people’s minds so they will see we come here to work and to get a chance. Most people don’t understand that.”

Following a brief rally outside El Nopal on East Culpeper Street, the group marched south up East Street turning right on East Stevens Street. As they walked, participants chanted, “Si se puede!” a popular phrase at immigrant processions, which basically means, “Yes we can!”

As the group crossed Main Street and police stopped traffic to let them pass, participants shouted, “We are not criminals!”
None of Culpeper’s elected officials were present to meet the procession and town hall was closed. Nonetheless, Teresita Jacinto of Prince William County, read aloud a letter to Town Council from “The Immigrant Coalition of Culpeper.”

The letter implored Town Council not to adopt anti-immigrant measures that could create “a climate of fear and suspicion that will pit neighbor against neighbor and tear the community apart.”

Instead, the letter said, “We are calling on your leadership and on all people of goodwill to guarantee an agreement to live side by side in a mutually supportive environment that respects human and civil rights of the entire community without regard for migratory status.”

Ricardo Juarez, general coordinator for D.C.-based Mexican Without Borders, advocated for peaceful and positive dialogue among all community groups when it comes to the complex issue of immigration. Confrontation is not needed, he added.

“We are here to say we are friends, we love Culpeper, we love this country, but we are saying stop the aggression against the immigrant community,” said Juarez of Woodbridge.

He added, “Americans are not indigenous - they all are immigrants.”

Allison Brophy Champion can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 101 or abrophy@starexponent.com.


Heated exchanges, crowds filled library, answering few questions on issue

Filled to capacity with people all striving to be heard and overflowing with tension, local residents gathered at Culpeper County Library to talk about the issue of illegal immigration.

Steve Jenkins, Culpeper Town Councilman, hosted a 2-hour open forum debate Saturday attracting about 200 residents to give them an outlet for their opinions.

The outspoken crowd regained their composure only when Jenkins tried to pacify the situation.

“Next time we will hold this at the high school football stadium,” Jenkins joked, as he commented on the size of the audience.

Before the meeting, Jenkins pointed out petitions for people to sign in order to ask their local leaders to “look seriously” at the illegal immigration issue. Jenkins then allowed three-minute intervals for people to express their concerns, questions and suggestions.

Jenkins also recognized local leaders from the Board of Supervisors, Stevensburg District Bill Chase and West Fairfax Supervisor Steve Nixon.

“I think it speaks volumes for them,” Jenkins said. “They may not necessarily be in agreement with me but have enough interest and concern for our community that they are here.”

Prior to opening the discussion to the floor, Jenkins read a brief statement pertaining to the topic.

“The issue of illegal immigrants in our community is self explanatory. Those who are here illegally are breaking the law. This is not an issue of race, culture, age, gender or socio-economical background,” Jenkins said. “This issue is totally about illegal versus legal.”

Jenkins received several rounds of applause from the crowd during his speech.

“Citizens have stated and I concur that it is wrong for individuals to be allowed in this county and in this country illegally,” Jenkins said. “Furthermore it is wrong for elected officials to turn their heads and ignore the problem. Proper documentation is obtainable and is required by law. We as American citizens are required to follow these laws and local ordinances.”

The laws and ordinances are intended for the safety and wellbeing of the citizens, he said.

“Illegal is illegal,” said Jenkins. “We must protect our town by examining how we are presently handling the illegal immigrants and give strong considerations and every available option to combat this crisis.”

Local issues
Steve Peacock, 47, posed the question about single-family housing in Culpeper.

Peacock said when a home was purchased in his neighborhood he thought the family was relatively small but to his dismay a total of 12 people moved into the house.

“In all hours of the night with traffic in and out,” Peacock said. “We have zoning ordinance people and that’s where my issue is. And it’s affecting the property value of my property.”

Peacock suggested limiting the number of people in single-family homes and obeying county and town regulations.

Many citizens also questioned what local resources “illegal immigrants” are able to receive.

Nancy Boyd, 40, was one of them. Boyd started off by complementing the friendly atmosphere that Culpeper has to offer and added she had little resources to answer her questions.

“Are they receiving healthcare, education, social services?”
A collective and irritated “yes” from the crowd answered her inquiries.

Jenkins also addressed the issue of exhausted local supplies.
“As a member of the Town Council, I have witnessed how illegal aliens are draining local resources such as our hospitals, our schools, our social services and our court services. Enough is enough. I believe Hazelton, Pa. is the model for governments across this nation. I will aggressively seek and support local ordinances that protect our community against illegal immigrants.”

As Jenkins became a bit emotional and voice shaking, he said “some have chosen to cast excursions, insults and suggested that my motivation is racist and intolerant or vigilante.”
He explained his intentions are none of the above.

Heated exchange
Richmond attorney Cristina Rebeil traveled about two hours to speak on the behalf of the Virginia Coalition of Latina Organization. Once she started speaking the crowd answered with boos.

“It has been the wise policy of these states to extend the protection of the laws all those who would settle among them of whatever nation or religion they may be and to admit them to the participation with benefits of civil and religious freedom,” Rebeil said reading an excerpts from Thomas Jefferson’s papers from 1781 concerning immigrants.

Rebeil also included a quote from the Declaration of Independence, “all men are created equal.”

Rebeil said these statements apply to all human beings, “I am a Latina and I am also an American. There is no difference between a person who came undocumented and myself.”
The crowd began to get belligerent at this point, not allowing Rebeil to finish.

Jenkins interjected and tried to appease the crowd several times after audience members shouted remarks at Rebeil.
Rebeil asked the audience to look at the history of this country.
“They are coming here because they have no other options and it’s the same reason why people have immigrated to America.”

The attorney also reminded the audience that immigration is a federal issue and it doesn’t belong in a town, city or county or even in at the state level.

“I’ve heard enough,” shouted an angry listener. “Get out.”
As Rebeil tried to conclude her statements, Jenkins asked her to close her speech to allow more individuals a chance to speak. Rebeil replied, “I will finish in a minute the other gentleman spoke for a long time.”

“Times up,” another person yelled. “Turn the microphone off.”
The audience began to turn on each other after only 15 minutes into the meeting.

“Boo,” someone shouted. “Go back to where you belong.”
“I live here,” a lady said. “This is the face of Culpeper right here.”

Jenkins tried to calm the crowd again by making them aware of the law enforcement personnel in plain clothes in the audience.
A handful of Spanish-speaking descendants attended in order to express their views on the topic.

“Despite what the woman said for me to ‘go back to my country,’ said Maribel Ramos. “This is my country.”

Ramos said many people just don’t understand and should educate themselves.

“Before you make assumptions that we are taking jobs or we are not paying taxes which is inaccurate,” Ramos said. “A lot of what we are hearing is ignorance. We are not being educated on the issues.”

Ramos, who is from Peru, also disagreed with Jenkins’ statement about illegal immigrants draining the social service system.

“What services are available for someone who is undocumented because on the state level that is not true.” Ramos said, as she directed her question to Jenkins. Ramos also referred to a legal document that undocumented immigrants use to pay taxes.

"We can not get benefits. You have to show documentation.”
Ramos asked the audience to get educated before making assumptions.

In the end, several people posed questions, however, answers were few and far between, thus leaving the issue of illegal immigration open for more discussions.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or rsimmons@starexponent.com.

I would like to pose a question to Ordaz. Would we all be equal in Mexico if I was there illegaly?

The article about the meeting is nothing other than sound bites put together jummbled. Alot of untruths also.

The article as written makes it seem that Culpeper Residents were able to speak first and then Ms Rebeil. NOT TRUE

One person spoke before her and that was it after that it was all the people she brought from Richmond with her. We had citizens of Culpeper who could not even get in it was so overcrowded. They were lined down the hall and out the doors.

She also was given around 8 min to speak when it had already been agreed too that the limit would be 3 and she just kept on talking even after being told her time is up. Herself and the people with her took up 45 min of time from the people that live in this community. ( We only had a 2 hr time alottment)
She then finally left while causing a ruckus taking more time and when a actual person that lives here was able to speak she started yelling from the hallway for people to let someone pass that wanted to speak. Mind you it was someone else with her traveling circus.
As you will note in the article she managed to attend both the meeting and the march and make speeches that where published from both also.
It was all diversionary tactics to take up our time allotted and make sure she was quoted in both articles.

The "lady" quoted as saying "she lived here" and "this is the face of culpeper" was a open borders person who was shouting this at all of us as she was leaving at the END OF THE MEETING!! Prior to that she had been making obscene hand jestures and people.

Ms Ramos was another one from Richmond. (Please remember we are located 140miles NW of the Richmond City Limits) I believe one person did interupt her and that was addressed.
She also was one of the first speakers and continued speaking after her time limit.

A man with Ms Ramos claimed to have gone to Culpeper High and Middle SCHOOLS .... I capped this because it is very telling .... We only have one High School still and only one Middle School that he would have been able to attend since our second Middle did not open until around 2000 give or take a year. He was much beyond this time frame. When asked his name all of a sudden a heavy accent came into the picture that made it immposible to understand even when asked twice. He than proceeded to break into supposed sobbs and we lost more time due to this also since he stayed at the podium the whole time doing it.

Then we have the man also from Richmond that state he came here illegally but was now a Citizen and had a green card which he proceeded to pull out of his back pocket and wave around.
Unfortunately most of Culpeper is not aware that a greencard does not a citizen make!! The only document given to naturalized Citizens is a N-550 Certificate of Naturalization since 1991.

I will be addressing all of this in a letter to the newspaper and will also be sending the same letter to some papers in Northern Va area.

Thanks Everyone and Keep Up the Great Fight!!!

A. Allen-Settle

Comprehension of the witten word is obviously something not taught in ESL Classes
What part of ILLEGAL IS BAFFLING YOU????? Well let me help Wait here while I get the big club.
Amy