Thread: New York Immigration Protest Gets Heated

http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.js ... &aid=59938

Immigration Protest Gets Heated After Supporters Of Both Sides Turn Out

June 03, 2006

What started as an anti-illegal immigration rally in Manhattan Saturday afternoon quickly developed into a shouting match between two groups on opposite sides of the issue.

New Yorkers for Immigration Control and Enforcement held a demonstration in front of the Mexican Consulate to "stop the invasion" of illegal immigrants, according to the group. They were soon joined by a pro-immigration group across the street, and tempers flared.

Police had to barricade both groups on their respective sides, but not before they exchanged a few choice words with one another.

"Oh, I'm a Nazi? Alright," said one of the anti-immigration protestors.

"This is a fascist organization. The Minutemen are fascist! They are racist!" said an opponent.

"Listen my friend, I am out of work 30 weeks because of illegal immigration,” said the first man.

“What I did for a livelihood is being taken by illegals now, and they’re working for less money," added another member of New Yorkers for Immigration Control and Enforcement. "This is the ruination of America."

"It makes no sense for them to be here screaming out ‘Mexicans, Mexicans!' They are Russians, they are Japanese, they are from all over the place, and I'd like to know if someone can stand up there and say, ‘I'm Native American,’ because I don't see none there," said a woman who was part of the pro-immigration contingent.

In the end, both sides left without incident.

makes no sense for them to be here screaming out ‘Mexicans, Mexicans!' They are Russians, they are Japanese, they are from all over the place, and I'd like to know if someone can stand up there and say, ‘I'm Native American,’ because I don't see none there," said a woman who was part of the pro-immigration contingent.

Maybe it's because it's the Mexicans and their organizations making all the threats and demands and happen to be the majority.

How many generations have to pass until your considered American , naturally born here, and not considered an immigrant? I know mine go back quite a ways.

Wasn't SHAPKA there today?

"It makes no sense for them to be here screaming out ‘Mexicans, Mexicans!' They are Russians, they are Japanese, they are from all over the place, and I'd like to know if someone can stand up there and say, ‘I'm Native American,’ because I don't see none there,"

said a woman who was part of the pro-immigration contingent.
And who is she to say who is a native American? Look at these golddigger squatters coming in pointing their filthy fingers! So if no native American were here is our country up for grabs to her and her illegal mexican mob??? It is against every principal and right of Americans to be persecuted like this. Please Congress throw out the trash!

If you click the article link there is a video.

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_154162727.html

Jun 3, 2006 7:50 pm US/Eastern

Protestors: Illegal Immigrants Must Go
Saturday's Anti-Immigration Protest Shows That Some New Yorkers Have Big Problem With Current Policy

Magee Hickey
Reporting

(CBS) NEW YORK An anti-immigration rally outside the Mexican Consulate Saturday prompted New York protestors to speak out about their perceived problems with illegal immigration and their desire to see stronger enforcement of immigration laws.

The protest, sponsored by the newly formed coalition, "New Yorkers for Immigration Control and Enforcement," drew almost as many news crews as protestors.

Several protestors were shouting, "America is a sovereign nation, keep it that way."

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/04/nyreg ... otest.html

June 4, 2006
Angry Exchanges, to and Fro, at Rally
By ANTHONY RAMIREZ
Under drizzly skies, about 40 demonstrators holding up signs that included "Illegal Aliens: I Want You Out of My Country" and "Honk If You're Against Amnesty" gathered yesterday in front of the Mexican Consulate in Midtown Manhattan.

The protest followed large rallies in New York and other cities in recent weeks calling for citizenship for illegal immigrants, and prompted a smaller but just as loud counterdemonstration across the street.

As neighbors in elegant town houses on East 39th Street looked down, the demonstrators, standing in front of a large American flag, sang "America the Beautiful," while a counterdemonstrator played "The Star-Spangled Banner" on a polished trumpet. Demonstrators chanted various versions of "Go home," as the counterdemonstrators shouted, "Who you calling immigrant, pilgrim?"

The confrontations never escalated beyond jaw-jutting shouting matches, but one participant was still fuming minutes later.

Cursing, Dan Hahulski, 26, of Woodhaven, Queens, said he was not a racist but simply opposed to illegal immigration. "If you woke up one morning and I was camped out on your backyard, what would you do? You'd kick me out," said Mr. Hahulski, a construction worker.

A counterdemonstrator, Maria Sanchez, also 26, a home attendant from the Bronx, was equally emotional. With her daughter, Delia, 10, by her side, Ms. Sanchez said, "They're not going after illegal immigrants, they're going after the Mexican community."

She said her parents had taken her to the United States legally when she was 5. She added, "Look at what that sign says, 'Just Say No to Mexico.' All their banners just say Mexican, Mexican, Mexican."

Police officers watched for trouble and counted down the minutes on the hour-and-a-half city permit for the rally. There were no arrests.

Last week, the Senate passed a landmark immigration bill that calls for tighter border controls and would give most illegal immigrants a chance to become American citizens. But it has not been reconciled with a House bill that has no provision for citizenship.

Saturday's rally began around 11 a.m. and was organized by Jason Megill, 30, a Wall Street trader originally from Iowa City.

Three months ago, Mr. Megill said, he joined the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, a citizen border patrol that aids federal officials. The group has also been criticized as a right-wing militia. Other organizations at the rally were New Yorkers for Immigration Control and Enforcement, Eagle Forum, SOS Borders and the National Traditionalist Caucus.

The demonstrators were on their own until a lone woman, Jennifer Roesch, started shouting from across the street, "Immigrants are welcome here!" The demonstrators shouted back, with one shouting "Communist!"

As it turns out, Ms. Roesch, 34, said she was a member of the International Socialist Organization, a Trotskyite group. She helped gather about a dozen counterdemonstrators.

Joe Imparato, 36, of Brooklyn, almost grew hoarse shouting at Ms. Roesch's group. He wore a gray T-shirt reading "Matsui 55," referring to Hideki Matsui, the Japanese baseball player who plays left field for the Yankees.

"I like Matsui," said Mr. Imparato. "He came here legally."

http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/66975.htm

MIDTOWN CLASH ON BORDER DISORDER
By STEVE STRUNSKY

June 4, 2006 -- An anti-illegal immigration protest - and counter-demonstration - quickly turned bitter yesterday, with each side shouting angrily at one another outside the Mexican consulate.

Two dozen demonstrators from the New York City chapter of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps and other groups chanted "Americans First" and sang "God Bless America - some wearing T-shirts with Uncle Sam demanding: "I Want You Out of My Country" while carrying signs declaring "Mexican Pride Belongs in Mexico."

Counter-demonstrators shouted back: "Racists Go Home." Police were called to keep the peace, but there were no arrests or violence.

The rally was one of a number of similar protests planned for around the country, including one in Washington.

In Manhattan, things turned ugly when members of each group stood face to face in the middle of 39th Street in front of the consulate, glaring and shouting.

"Klan-like organizations like the Minutemen should be destroyed," screamed Jonah Birch, 23, of the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights.

He was answered with angry shouts of: "Let them live in your back yard."

Eventually, a half-dozen police arrived, forcing both groups back to opposite sidewalks and setting up metal barricades to keep them apart.

"People are passionate," said Sgt. John Morana.

Both groups disbanded just after 12:30 p.m., when a permit issued to the Minuteman group lapsed.

The rally began quietly, as the anti-illegal alien group gathered at 11 a.m. in front of the consulate, holding signs including "US Jobs for US Citizens," and "President Bush, Read My Lips: No New Amnesty!"

The group was protesting measures supported by Bush and approved by the Senate to create a guest worker program and allow 11 million immigrants now inside the U.S. illegally to eventually become citizens.

"I'm a lifetime Hispanic New Yorker and not all Hispanics are pro-illegal immigration," said Joanna Marzullo, 32, of New Yorkers for Immigration Control and Enforcement, whose grandparents came from Nicaragua. "How can we even talk about a guest worker program when we don't even know who's entering and leaving our country?"