Thread: Minutemen Rally In Austin -- And Hear Protests

http://keyetv.com/topstories/local_story_308214028.html
Nov 4, 2006
Minutemen Rally In Austin -- And Hear Protests

Kim Miller
Reporting

(CBS 42) AUSTIN A police line divided almost 200 people Saturday who came to the state capitol to promote or protest a Minutemen rally. The Minutemen Project says it is "Americans doing the job Congress won't do."

Protestors say the group is racist. Here's a look at the controversy.

The Minuteman Project says it is a citizens' vigilance operation monitoring immigration.

"We're going to stop the invasion," said a spokesman. "We're going to keep the melting pot what it was intended by the founding fathers to be."

They call their current project 'Operation Sovereignty.' Volunteers guard the U.S.-Mexico border in Laredo, watching for people crossing the border anywhere besides at a checkpoint.

At Saturday's rally, there were almost equal numbers of people on the other side of the police line, protesting the Minutemen message.

"We're here to send a message against racism," said Susana Almanza of People Organized In Defense of Earth and her Resources (PODER).

The Minutemen held what they call the U.S border watch parade of flags.

Protestors say the Minutemen's focus on Mexican immigrants diverts attention from the war and other national issues during a national election.

One Minutemen speaker encouraged everyone to vote Tuesday in a way that says America is not a 'Mexican colony.' Protestors say the Minutemen message is racist and hurts everyone.

"We're here to send a message against racism," said Susana Almanza of People Organized In Defense of Earth and her Resources (PODER).

What are these ridiculous groups.....fronts for calling people racist? I would love to see this groups platform. The Minutemen are People Organized in Defense of America and Her Resources. (PODAR)