07/25/07 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom
1,000 expected at Morristown immigration rallies
Gatherings will give voice to those holding different views

BY MINHAJ HASSAN
DAILY RECORD
MORRISTOWN -- Three high-noon rallies scheduled at different places in town on Saturday could attract more than 1,000 people with divergent views on handling illegal immigration.

Robb Pearson, founder of the ProAmerica Society, is holding a rally behind town hall on South Street to urge enforcement of immigration laws. He said members of organizations from other states are spreading the word, and he expects a minimum of 200 people, but as many as 1,000. Indications are that the event will be "very well attended," he said.

Despite the large crowds that are anticipated, Police Chief Peter Demnitz does not anticipate any street closings.

Pair of alternatives

Another event at which immigrants' plight is to be highlighted is being organized by the town immigration resource center, Wind of the Spirit. Its organizer said she doesn't expect a huge turnout at the prayer vigil at St. Margaret's Church on Sussex Avenue, but hopes attendees will get a positive message.

"Most people are working at that time," said Wind of the Spirit leader Diana Mejia about the prayer vigil time, which also runs from noon to 2 p.m.

The vigil is strongly supported by the Latin American Legal Defense Fund.

A second pro-immigrant event also is scheduled to take place opposite the ProAmerica Society rally. Details are still being worked out, Mejia said.

Mejia said the group is compiling a list of church officials who are expected to attend the prayer vigil. The list still was being made as of Tuesday.

"This issue is not just about the immigrants. It is about the community of Morristown," she said.

Mayor to speak

At the ProAmerica Society event, there will be eight speakers, including Mayor Donald Cresitello. Cresitello has sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement division, hoping to get 10 local police officers deputized as immigration agents, under the federal 287-G program.

The officers would be given access to a database to inquire about the individuals' immigration status and start deportation proceedings on illegal immigrants.

Another person scheduled to speak is David Marlett, a lawyer from Dallas and founder of ProAmerica Companies, an organization that promotes companies that refuse to hire illegal aliens.

"We're not bashing people," Marlett said of the rally's intent. "Our main objective is to get people and companies to follow the law. We are a nation of laws, and if we don't follow them, we have nothing."

Marlett said it's time for companies to stop hiring illegal aliens.

"You can't hire and exploit them," he said. "We have got to stop supporting companies who are modern-day slave owners."

Also scheduled to speak, Pearson said, is Peter Gadiel of the group 9/11 Families for Secure America. Gadiel lost his son in the attack on the twin towers.

Pearson said most of those who e-mailed him requesting to participate are "regular, ordinary folks."

"The event is a celebration for legal immigrants who are part of society and follow the rules," he said.

Demnitz said there will be security at the event "to keep the peace and assure the rights of all persons are protected."

One nasty e-mail

Since making public his intent to hold the rally, Pearson said he received one derogatory e-mail in which he was called a Nazi. However, Pearson dismissed it, calling it "reactionary."

The groups that have promoted the rally include You Don't Speak For Me, a Hispanic organization that promotes legal immigration; the New Yorkers for Immigration Control and Enforcement; New Jersey Citizens for Immigration Control; and Voice of the People USA, based in Pennsylvania.

Pearson said he has heard rumors that some "less savory" groups whose ideologies he doesn't share also may show up.

Still, despite the possible presence of fringe groups, Pearson is optimistic about the rally becoming a positive event.

"I've been very happily surprised," he said of the possibility of a large turnout. "It has all been word of mouth and networking."


http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... /707250352