Thread: Group Protests Mexican Truck Project

Associated Press
Group Protests Mexican Truck Project
By RON JENKINS 04.23.07, 2:51 PM ET



Truckers and anti-illegal immigration forces joined hands at the Capitol on Monday to protest a Bush administration plan to let Mexican trucks haul freight deep into the United States.

The Bush administration announced plans in February to permit 100 Mexican trucking companies to travel beyond the current 20-mile limit in a one-year pilot project.

About 75 sign-carrying truckers and their supporters voiced their disapproval of the project during a rally on the Capitol's south steps.

Supporters included members of the anti-illegal immigration group, the Oklahoma Minutemen Civil Defense Corps., Inc., which is headed by Steve Merrill, former immigration agent.

They heard speakers say permitting Mexican trucks into the country would present safety, security, environmental and economic problems for Americans.

Ron Black, a former radio talk show host, said it is part of an attack on U.S. sovereignty.

"The security of our country is at risk for the benefit of just a few companies," said trucker Jay Michael Riley of Yukon.

Riley and his wife, Claret, a truck driving team, helped found Americans for Safe Highways and Secure Borders, an organization of long haul truck drivers and supporters opposed to allowing Mexican trucks to travel U.S. highways.

Riley said the Mexican government had not developed a database of Mexican truckers as promised under the North American Free Trade Agreement and the proposed NAFTA super highway.

He said allowing Mexican trucks to travel U.S. roads would increase drug trafficking, expose Americans to safety risks, promote illegal immigration and even allow terrorists easy access to the country.

"Where do you think all of those worn out trucks go - they go to Mexico," said Dan Howard, of Outraged Patriots.

Some speakers said Mexican truckers are poorly paid and allowing them into the United States would put American truckers out of business.

Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, spoke to the group, saying he was introducing a resolution urging Congress to reject the idea of the North American Union, composed of Mexico, the United States and Canada.


Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/04/ ... 41540.html

Yeah!!

What happen to all the trucks that were going to surround the capitol building?

The protest started at noon today

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The federal government will soon allow 100 Mexican trucking companies to make deliveries into the United States. In exchange, trucks from the United States will be allowed into Mexico.

However, it's a plan that one organization in Oklahoma is rallying against.

Organization officials said they don't like the idea of trucks from Mexico driving highways in the United States. They said they planned to take those concerns to the state Capitol, as part of a Monday morning rally.


"These trucks will not be inspected to U.S. standards. The backgrounds of the people who will be driving these trucks into the United States are not checked like people in the United States," said Oklahoma Minutemen spokesman Steve Merrill.

The Minutemen is an organization devoted to stopping illegal immigration.

Oklahoma City is considered the crossroads of America in terms of major roadways. It's where interstates 35, 40 and 44 connect.

An official with the United States Department of Transportation said proper checks will be done.

Drivers must have a valid commercial driver's license, prove they are medically fit, comply with hours of service and speak English.

"It's one sided. It's to help Mexico. We will not get much of a benefit from this," Merrill said.

The Department of Transportation expects to begin this program in May.
Copyright 2007 by koco.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://www.koco.com/news/12917370/detail.html

Hmmm...75 total doesn't sound like much. Maybe it'll be better tomorrow...or maybe we'll get better news later today.

That dept of transportation is a pain in the a$$, they only have one thing on their mind and thats Bushes NAU. TRAITORS!!!

Originally Posted by NotGoingToTakeItAnymore

Hmmm...75 total doesn't sound like much. Maybe it'll be better tomorrow...or maybe we'll get better news later today.

Thats 75 trucks in just Oaklahoma City with high fuel prices truckers
have to protest at state houses as well as in DC

That sounds like quite a few for a state capitol don't you think?
75 semi's could cause alot of interuption in traffic, and should be enough to surround the building

Well then, I misjudged...and I'm glad I did! I'd rather be wrong than not have a good turnout!