Concerns over gang violence force cancellation of anti-immigration rally
by Allison Steele
Friday August 24, 2007, 5:01 PM
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2007/0 ... on_of.html


A rally to protest illegal immigration, planned for Saturday in Lakewood, has been canceled due to concerns about gang violence, the rally's organizer said today.


The rally, which was organized by Diane Reaves of the state chapter of the pro-America group the Minutemen, was expected to draw several hundred people.

But Reaves said she was concerned members of the gangs the Latin Kings and the Latino street gang MS-13 might be planning to show up and disrupt the rally.

Lakewood Deputy Police Chief Chuck Smith said he had no knowledge of any specific gang threats. However, he acknowledged there is a gang presence in the area.

At least seven people had been scheduled to speak at the rally, including representatives from NJ Citizens for Immigration Control and Pro America. Reaves said she may try to reschedule the rally for a later date.

The rally was planned months ago, but this month's triple murder in Newark has brought a new focus to illegal immigation issues. Jose Carranza, one of the suspects arrested in connection with the shooting deaths of Terrance Aeriel, Iofemi Hightower and Dashon Harvey, was in the country illegally. Carranza and some of the other five suspects arrested in the case are suspected of having gang ties.