Thread: TX-Caravan to Austin protests immigration bills

Caravan to Austin protests immigration bills
Comments 15
January 10, 2011 12:30 AM
By Elizabeth Findell

EDINBURG — American and POW flags flapped from a black bus emblazoned with the words "Caravan for Social Justice" in front of the Hidalgo County Courthouse Sunday.

"It’s a hell of a bumpy ride," Josemaria Vasquez, vice commander for the Dr. Hector P. Garcia American GI Forum, said of the bus.

It could be a long ride to Austin.

Vasquez and a handful of other activists set out in the bus and accompanying vehicles Sunday afternoon, bound for the state Capitol. They are intent on protesting bills introduced into the Texas State Legislature targeting illegal immigration.

Bills up for consideration this season would force law enforcement to check the immigration status of anyone questioned or arrested, similar to the controversial SB 1070 law in Arizona.

Others would charge undocumented immigrants with criminal trespassing for being in Texas, require school districts to report the number of undocumented students enrolled and prohibit undocumented immigrants from bringing claims in state court.

"In the Valley this is going to affect a lot of us," Vasquez said of the proposed legislation.

Locally, members of the American GI Forum banded with the Texas Brown Berets and League of United Latin American Citizens to launch a caravan to Austin. They will try to pick up supporters along the way, and will stop for rallies in places including Corpus Christi, Floresville and San Antonio.

The groups plan to gather with several thousand others in Austin on Tuesday, the first day of the legislative session. They have reserved the west side steps of the Capitol for an all-day protest. They said their opponents, the Tea Party and Minutemen, have reserved the south side.

Jorge Lopez, the South Texas regional commander for the Brown Berets, said the group also wants to emphasize opposition to any modification or repeal of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to persons born on U.S. soil.

"The U.S. Constitution is fine as it is," he said. "They’re trying to take away our political power by reducing our numbers."

Vasquez questioned when proponents of modifying the amendment think it became obsolete.

"Are we going back to the Mayflower, when they started the anchor-baby movement?" he asked.

Jose Villareal, who does public relations for the Brown Berets, said though the group leaving Hidalgo County was small, he expected good turnout on Tuesday.

"We want to build up momentum along the way," he said.

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/e ... n-protests.

THESE PEOPLE HAVE REALLY GOT SOME NERVE TO PROTEST THESE LAWS. IF YOU ARE NOT HERE LEGALLY THEN, YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE PLAIN AND SIMPLE AND IF YOU WANT TO COME HERE BY LEGAL MEANS THEN WE WELCOME YOU TO DO SO. BUT, THIS COMING HERE ILLEGALLY AND THEN MAKING YOUR DEMANDS ON U.S. CITIZENS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL NEVER BE TOLERATED NOW OR EVER

Originally Posted by LadyStClaire

THESE PEOPLE HAVE REALLY GOT SOME NERVE TO PROTEST THESE LAWS. IF YOU ARE NOT HERE LEGALLY THEN, YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE PLAIN AND SIMPLE AND IF YOU WANT TO COME HERE BY LEGAL MEANS THEN WE WELCOME YOU TO DO SO. BUT, THIS COMING HERE ILLEGALLY AND THEN MAKING YOUR DEMANDS ON U.S. CITIZENS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL NEVER BE TOLERATED NOW OR EVER

they sure in hell do we don't go over to any other country & Demands . you have no right at all
Im with youLady St Claire
NO Amnesty

The illegals are relentless and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. They are always bold and in your face whining and demanding their 'rights'. This has to stop!!!!!!!!!!