Thread: La Raza, protesters stand by their beliefs

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/ ... 15467.html

La Raza, protesters stand by their beliefs
By JAZMYN MARTIN
Bucks County Courier Times




PHILADELPHIA - John Ryan stood in the middle of a Center City sidewalk, making the best of Saturday's oppressive humidity.

A green cap decorated with the words "U.S. Border Patrol," shaded his brow as he and members of Pennsylvanians Against Illegal Immigration and the local chapter of the Minutemen prepared for a peaceful protest.

The two separate groups believe that the U.S. government is not doing enough to prevent illegal immigration. The groups say illegal immigration costs Americans money and jobs.

Armed with American flags and homemade signs, about a dozen protesters stood in front of a hip-hop clothing store on Market Street to draw attention to their cause.

Some passers-by stopped to offer support for ending illegal immigration while others turned their heads in disgust.

Anyone who thinks the organization is wrong or racist misunderstands the goal of both the Minutemen and PAII, said Ryan, a Quakertown resident.

"We want people to know that our government is working against the citizens of the United States by supporting illegal immigration," said Ryan, who founded the Pennsylvania Minutemen. "The corporations, of course, are using illegal immigrants as a cheap labor force; we want people to know that and hopefully open some eyes."

The object of protesters' angst was a few blocks away in the Pennsylvania Convention Center where the National Council of La Raza is under way.

LaRaza, which means "the race" in Spanish, was established in 1968 to improve the lives of the country's growing Hispanic population by working to reduce poverty and discrimination.

The protesters believe that the NCLR supports illegal immigration and encourages Latinos to create a sovereign territory in the southwestern United States.

Alice Moffett, a member of PAII, said the protesters chose Market Street, a few blocks away from the actual convention, in order to increase their visibility.

It's rumored that politicians attending the NCLR convention are staying in a nearby hotel, said Moffett, a Willow Grove resident.

"We're trying to get the attention of these politicians pandering for the votes of the Hispanic community," she said. "The American government is not paying attention to the problem of immigration. It's time for the American people to stand up and say enough is enough."
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Meanwhile, in the Convention Center, thousands of Latinos from across the country gathered to celebrate their cultural and political solidarity.

No one knew that the Minutemen were stationed a few blocks away from the NCLR until Loraine Lee, president of Chicanos por la Causa, took the stage during the convention's luncheon.

"I have an announcement to make," she said as her voice quivered. "I've just been informed that the Minutemen have joined us at the convention."

The crowd drew a collective gasp and the room began to rattle with whispers.

"It's OK though," she continued. "There will be no confrontation, we prefer to take the high road and offer prayers that they will one day join with us in dialogue."

LaRaza members also disagree with the way the American government handles the problem of illegal immigration, said Cecilia Munoz, NCLR vice president of research, advocacy and legislation.

"A person dies in the desert on average of once a day to become a part of this country's work force," Munoz said. "We have a law that says there's no room for anybody, but we have an economy that lures them in with low wages.

"If they were to put down their signs and come into the conference, they would have a very different idea of what we do," she continued.

Back on Market Street, a few pedestrians stopped to ask about the Minutemen's agenda. Some even hung around long enough to pick up a sign and join the demonstration.

"Overall, for the first time, I think it went great," Ryan said of the protest after it ended. "We didn't get any new members, but I figure this is just the beginning. Who knows how far we can go from here."

Jazmyn Martin can be reached at jmartin@phillyBurbs.com

July 17, 2005 5:17 AM

"If they were to put down their signs and come into the conference, they would have a very different idea of what we do," she continued.

Not a chance.
That is until you stop supporting illegals.