Thread: Local immigration clashes on the Web

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/09 ... _28_06.txt

Last modified Thursday, September 28, 2006 10:35 PM PDT

Local immigration clashes on the Web

By: TERI FIGUEROA - Staff Writer

NORTH COUNTY ---- Migrant worker advocates who monitor popular day labor hiring locations posted a Web site this week featuring videos that appear to show Minutemen using uncivil tactics such as name-calling, yelling and profanity.

But the founder of a local Minutemen group said that the cameras do not show the full picture, that videographers are to blame for "provoked" reactions. He also said he was skeptical that the footage was accurate.

The Minutemen are an anti-illegal immigration group that has staged protests around the county, including larger ones at day laborer pickup sites in downtown Vista. The protests have prompted migrant worker advocates to campaign and rally against the Minutemen.


The dueling groups have hurled accusations of improper conduct at one another for months.

On Thursday, one of the women behind the new Web site, Claudia Smith, contended Minutemen members "have become increasingly aggressive, verbally and physically ---- and that is of great concern." And that, she said, is why the Web site went up this week.

"We wanted to put out there a sample of videos of clips that we have taken from several different sites and give people a chance to judge for themselves how the Minutemen speak and act when the media isn't looking," said Smith, who has been a central figure in the movement opposing the Minutemen.

Video clips on the site appear to show clashes in which a few Minutemen or their supporters are profane with people behind the camera.

The site ---- www.minutemenunvarnished.com ---- went up a few weeks back, came down briefly to be "finalized" and was unveiled again Thursday, Smith said.

"What we have up there speaks for itself," Smith said, "It's a very understated Web site."

On Thursday, Jeff Schwilk of Oceanside, who founded the local Minutemen group, had not seen the Web site until informed of it by a reporter in a phone call, during which he clicked through and watched a couple of the videos for the first time.

Schwilk blamed the day labor advocates and noted that the Minutemen featured in the clips had been "antagonized."

"These camera people are getting in our faces," Schwilk said. "We have a proven track record of not violating rights and laws. They come out to harass us. We were there to observe employers from breaking the law (by hiring illegal immigrants.) They do this purposely to antagonize."

Later, after viewing more of the footage, Schwilk said the videos were "taken completely out of context."

"They don't show the antagonization that brought that (reaction) on," Schwilk said. "They cut and edit to show anger from people who have had it with their tactics."

He also suggested the video and audio on the tape were not what they seemed.

"I think we need to be very skeptical," he said.

Schwilk ---- whose group's Web site ---- said that people in his group have also videotaped clashes at day labor sites, including those he said depicts their opponents harassing them.

Some of that footage has made the rounds on Minutemen e-mail lists, but Schwilk said none had been posted to his group's Web site.

Contact staff writer Teri Figueroa at (760) 631-6624 or tfigueroa@nctimes.com.

I don't get it?? what is the problem. I watched the videos. Seems like much to do about nothing.

The open border group are having a rough time of it attempting to push away the minutemen.

Way to go minutemen, they are only telling the truth.

I have watched about half of them. People are frustrated and it is understandable. I really do not see the big deal either. The worst thing going on here are cases of potty mouth which you hear pretty much everytime you step out the front door.

How lame! So a minuteman bumps into day laborer's as he walks past, so what? Rude? Perhaps, but is it any ruder than the day laborer's, who are completely blocking the sidewalk and who make no effort to let him pass as he approaches?

Why not put up the photos of the lovely 'crotch grabber, finger flippers' that we've had to put up with?

Anyone have those pics to send to this website?

Originally Posted by greyparrot

How lame! So a minuteman bumps into day laborer's as he walks past, so what? Rude? Perhaps, but is it any ruder than the day laborer's, who are completely blocking the sidewalk and who make no effort to let him pass as he approaches?

You are right. I find it rude as hell that they are just sitting there illegally.
What gets me is, these sites that put up these videos never show the illegals flipping off and grabbing themselves aimed at the minute men and the anti-illegal immigration protestors.
These people are just a bunch of babies. They can dish it out, but certainly cannot take it! Whimps.

Just like here on the ALIPAC boards, everyone must remain calm and considerate at all times and take the higher ground. When you get angry and lose your cool, the other side wins.

I found these videos to be mostly harmless, but there are a few of note.

The one with the guy slamming into a day laborer and the one where a few of the guys are completely losing their cool is a bad scene.

If it was my organization, anyone that did a few of these things would not be coming back to our next event.

Most of the films are not that bad and the lady that took the footage thinks she is holding up more than she is.

W