www.ocregister.com

Immigration debate remains peaceful in Garden Grove
Scene contrasts starkly with that of three months ago.

By NGUYEN HUY VU
The Orange County Register


GARDEN GROVE – A second debate over illegal immigration remained peaceful Wednesday night, three months after hundreds of protesters and border security advocates violently clashed outside the Garden Grove Women's Club.

Nearly 150 people came to the club Wednesday to listen to speakers Andy Ramirez from the group Friends of the Border Patrol and Glenn Spencer from American Patrol at an event hosted by the California Coalition for Immigration Reform.

One spectator, Dee Barrow of Upland, said she came because she believes that law enforcement officials have become too relaxed on issues of illegal immigration in the last 20 years.

"I think our government should pay attention to what's going on," she said. "We are getting no support for our borders."

About five demonstrators dressed in red shirts and black pants stood quietly across the street but left before the meeting ended.

Spencer, who lives on the Arizona-Mexico border, spoke about the need for increased security along the international border after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He said the government needs to overhaul and upgrade its technology to be more effective and that people around the country are responding to his message.

In May, about 300 protesters showed up outside the women's club, at 9501 Chapman Ave., where the California Coalition for Immigration Reform was meeting to honor Aliso Viejo resident and Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist.

Nearly 900 people responded to Gilchrist's call last winter to patrol a stretch of Arizona border in an effort to stop illegal immigration.

Gilchrist spoke briefly Wednesday to announce his bid to run for Congress.