http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab5 ... 1691&rfi=6

Minutemen wrap up day of protesting in Herndon
By Kali Schumitz

kschumitz@timespapers.com
02/15/2006


After a day of rallying for stricter immigration enforcement in Washington, D.C., the national leaders of the Minuteman Project headed out to Herndon, Feb. 9, to talk to supporters in the town.

Guests at the invitation-only meeting in the Herndon Middle School auditorium were required to preregister, show a photo ID when they arrived, and then were searched by the private security staff as they entered.

Outside, a crowd of protesters marched in circles in front of the school, waving miniature American flags and chanting "immigration reform now" over a raucous background of noisemakers. It was only the group's signs, with messages like "Stop the hate let's work together," that made it clear that they opposed the Minuteman group and its tactics.

Later, the protesters tried to disrupt the meeting by singing and chanting loudly outside the doors of the school, which are close to the auditorium entrance.

At its peak, the meeting audience topped 100, including members of the Herndon Minutemen chapter, day labor center opponents Help Save Herndon and HEART, a Herndon group that supports the labor center. Town Council members Dennis Husch and Ann Null and Planning Commissioner Ted Hochstein also attended.

The founder of the Herndon Minutemen, George Taplin, railed against Project Hope and Harmony and Reston Interfaith, the labor center operators, accusing them of violating the law and conditions of their conditional use permit.

He dismissed their claims that the labor site has been effective and has helped workers.

"[The laborers] still live in crowded boarding houses. They are still being abused [by employers]," Taplin said.

Other speakers focused on the ongoing national battle for immigration reform, advocating stricter border security, including building a wall or fence along the United States-Mexico border.

They are strongly opposed to proposals by President George W. Bush and some members of Congress to create a guest worker or amnesty program. Minuteman Project leaders Chris Simcox and Jim Gilchrist also urged people to vote all of their federal elected officials out of office, save for two who have publicly supported the Minutemen.

Other speakers, including Los Angeles talk radio host Terry Anderson, urged the audience to look at California's issues as an example.

"Do not let it happen here on the East Coast; you'll be sorry," Anderson said.