http://www.iacenter.org/archive-2006/mi ... 072606.htm



New Yorkers Say No to the Minutemen!
Protests Scheduled Against July 26th Visit of Anti-Immigrant Hate Group to WTC

July 21, 2006, New York-- New York immigrant communities and immigrant rights supporters are gearing up for massive counter-protests against the Minutemen's visit to the World Trade Center on Wednesday, July 26th. The New York May 1st Coalition, a broad formation of immigrant organizations, labor groups, and anti-war advocates, will hold a protest at the site of the Minutemen's anti-immigrant rally location beginning at 11am, this Wednesday. The group is calling on pro-immigrant supporters to meet at the corner of Church Street and Broadway in downtown Manhattan.

"New York is an immigrant city, and no freedom-loving, justice-seeking New Yorker will tolerate the culture of hatred and anti-immigrant fascism that spewed by the politically insignificant and immoral Minutemen," stated Teresa Gutierrez, a Mexican-American and leader with the NY May 1st Coalition.

"We are calling on all supporters of immigrants rights to help us send a clear message to those who are continuing the tradition of Neo-Nazi's: GET OUT OF OUR CITY!," Gutierrez continued.

While the Minutemen Project describes itself as an American civilian operation intent on deterring illegal crossings at the US-Mexican border, concerned immigrants and citizens across the nation strongly identify it as an anti-immigrant hate group. It is the brainchild Jim Gilchrist, a retired accountant and Vietnam veteran from Orange County, California. Gilchrist has been involved with Neo-Nazi affiliated groups such as the Council of Conservative Citizens. The Minutemen actively recruit in Colorado, California, Texas, New Mexico, New Jersey.

In 2003, Chris Simcox, an anti-immigration militant and co-founder of the Minutemen, was arrested in Colorado for "hunting for Mexicans," with high power hunting rifles.

In a recent California Minutemen activity White supremacists were caught on film with Confederate insignia and Nazi swastikas, giving Nazi salutes.

Pro-immigrant groups and supporters are planning for a broad show of force when the Minutemen hit NYC next week.

Gutierrez added while it is usually the Minutemen's intention to provoke and incite physical violence and confrontation in their anti-immigrant events, it is important to continously expose the Minutemen at their sitings and educate the general public on who the Minutemen are. The New York May 1st Coalition, a network calling for the legalization of all undocumented persons, regardless of their duration of stay in the US, was the main organizer of the historic May 1, 2006 massive demonstration for immigrant rights in Union Square, mobilizing nearly 1 million on the streets, the largest demonstration in New York City history. The coalition also endorsed a national immigrant rights strategizing conference in Washington DC from July 28th-30th convened by the National Immigrant Solidarity Network. (visit www.nohr4437.org)

"As Congress continues with its stall-tactics in the form of not-so-public hearings on the Senate and House bills, we the majority of working people in the US who understand this country and its economy cannot survive without immigrants will not back down on our call for legalization and genuine comprehensive immigration reform. As millions came out on the streets on May 1st, the power of our people's movement will only gain more momentum as unjust and unfair legislation continues to be exposed," Gutierrez ended.

For more information, contact the New York May 1st Coalition at 212-633-6053.

References:

Theresa Gutierrez, New York May 1st Coalition, 917-328-6470;
Carlos Canales, The Long Island Workplace Project, 516-565-5377;
Berna Ellorin, BAYAN Philippines, 646-479-1605





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