Protesters want an end to security checkpoints
06:50 PM PDT on Saturday, September 20, 2008
By CHRIS DANIELS / KING 5 News

PORT ANGELES, Wash. - Dozens of protesters lined the streets of downtown Port Angeles this afternoon, urging the federal government to stop security checkpoints on Olympic Peninsula roads.
This was the latest protest which has concerned the border patrol's increased presence at place like ferry terminals and rural roadways far from the border.
The feds say they are just doing their job of securing the country's gateways, but the protestors say agents have gone too far.
Layla Iranshad is one of several people who claim they were illegally stopped at a border patrol checkpoint on Highway 101 near Forks.
"They're looking for illegal immigrants and that's exactly what they're taking," Iranshad said.
Protesters calls themselves the Stop the Checkpoints Committee. They say the random spot stops by border agents at three different peninsula checkpoints are wrong.
The program is an extension of border checks at ferry terminals, which also drew the ire of locals.
But border agents, who have jurisdiction about 100 miles from the border, say the enforcement has worked.
Protesters gather in Port Angeles.
They say the reason for the checkpoints is to root out terrorist activity, drug runners and other illegal activity. So far there have been 16 arrests due to the roadblocks, and 14 have been immigration related.
"We are seeing some bad guys who are altering their methodologies to avoid showing up at the checkpoint locations," said Deputy Joe Guilano. "When we start seeing that happening, then we know we've sent the message and they have heard it loud and clear."
But the protestors say agents are setting a bad precedent and they'll continue to fight them as long as the checks continue


KING5.COM


Video at this link shows the only flags present at the protest were Mexican.