Thread: Hiring of illegal immigrants provokes faceoff in Upland

http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0, ... 07,00.html
Hiring of illegal immigrants provokes faceoff in Upland

By Sue Doyle
Staff Writer

UPLAND - Holding signs that read "It's un-American to hire illegals," about 20 protesters on Saturday faced 20 others carrying signs with the words "Immigrants support the U.S. economy."
The four-hour rally, in front of the Day Labor Hiring Center at 8547 Grove Ave., drew protesters who said their demonstration was against employers who hire illegal immigrants and others with opposing views.

As Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." played, many carried American flags and dangled their signs in front of them as cars passed by. Some drivers honked car horns in recognition.

"We are protesting the hiring," said Dee Barrow, 77, Upland. "We feel illegals would stop coming here if they would stop hiring them."

Upland resident Robin Hvidston, an immigration-reform activist, organized the protest. She said employers stand outside the law when they hire illegal immigrants, and that leads to abuse of the workers.

"We would like to see employers arrested for hiring illegal immigrants, because they are breaking the law," said Hvidston, 50.

When asked about President George Bush's proposal for guest-worker permits, Hvidston said workers should go back to Mexico and apply for them, and then re-enter the country legally.

Across the street, about 60 men sat in folding chairs waiting for jobs. There were more earlier in the day, but some left because contractors were not showing up with work.

Activists standing in front of the workers said the protest was not about illegal hiring but was instead motivated by racism and anti-immigrant hostility.

"This isn't about the illegality of it, it's a racist thing," said Rebecca Giem, 24, of Riverside. "I can't stand by and let this happen."

Some waved the Mexican flag and received some support from vehicles driving past.

Some of those drivers, such as Patricia and Luis Salas of Upland, pulled over when they saw what was going on and joined the protest.

"It's not fair. We are immigrants as well," said Patricia Salas, 44. "These people are only trying to put bread and butter on their tables."


Sue Doyle can be reached by e-mail sue.doyle@dailybulletin.com or by phone at (909) 483-9347.

good idea;show a prescence in areas like home improvement stores,paint stores,building supply,etc.and see how many people stop to pick them up for work.

"We would like to see employers arrested for hiring illegal immigrants, because they are breaking the law," said Hvidston, 50.

Me too.

Activists standing in front of the workers said the protest was not about illegal hiring but was instead motivated by racism and anti-immigrant hostility.

Typical nitwit comment.

"It's not fair. We are immigrants as well," said Patricia Salas, 44. "These people are only trying to put bread and butter on their tables."

Then do it in Mexico.

It's not fair.

I stopped saying when I was about 10.