Thread: NE Protestors line up for immigration rally in Lincoln

Curt Casper
Jan 27, 2011
KHAS-TV

Nebraska estimates that more than 40,000 illegal immigrants live in the state. A Nebraska bill similar to Arizona's illegal immigration measure is getting national attention.

Thursday, hundreds of protestors rallied against the bill outside of the state capitol. News 5's Curt Casper was there. He tells us why passionate opinions make this such a hot topic this legislative session.

Let there be peace... or in this case unity. That was the theme of Thursday's rally at the state capitol.

"Let them know there are Nebraskans that care for them and want to welcome them as our neighbors," said Elizabeth Schroer of Omaha.

The Nebraska bill under fire would give law enforcement the right to request documentation of citizenship. No documents could mean deportation.

"Equality not policy."

Signs like this one reflect the feeling of protestors.

"Our goal today is to stop passage of LB 48," said Rev. Fritz Hudson.

UNL student Alexander Gebolisko said he thinks the bill is changing the way immigrants are being treated. And, he said for someone who roots for the same team as him, it's sad.

"Friends who come here, seeking the good life, who learn to follow football, become Husker fans, and even with broken English shout "Go Big Red" on Husker game days," said a student.

Speakers at Thursday's rally-share the same goal that immigration issues should be left up to the federal government and that this bill will cost Nebraska too much.

"It seems to me that some don't want minorities in Nebraska anymore," Dr. Larry Bradley said.

"We are all related, irregardless of what they say today, our children see that we are not so different from each other," said Frank La Mere.

"Policy and actions that would cause harm to many Nebraskans harm us all," said Darcy Tromanhauser, Nebraska Appleseed.

Signs and protestors at Thursday's rally can agree- Nebraska has an immigration problem and solutions are needed. But to these protestors, LB 48 isn't the final answer.

Senator Charlie Janssen who introduced LB 48 spoke with reporters before the rally. He says he wasn't going to attend because it was a "Pro-illegal immigration rally." He said he can't support that.

You can catch the full interview with Senator Janssen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1uWYPtZV0I

http://www.khastv.com/news/local/Protes ... 69109.html

Senator Charlie Janssen who introduced LB 48 spoke with reporters before the rally. He says he wasn't going to attend because it was a "Pro-illegal immigration rally." He said he can't support that.

Thank you Senator Janssen! Thank you for doing the right thing and more important thank you for openly declaring you do not and will not support shamnesty

"We are all related, irregardless of what they say today, our children see that we are not so different from each other," said Frank La Mere.

"Policy and actions that would cause harm to many Nebraskans harm us all," said Darcy Tromanhauser, Nebraska Appleseed.

What does "we are all related" BS have to do with enforcing our laws??? What? Does it mean people can't be the "same" if they live in their own countries?

Hmmm, Nebraska Appleseeds KA-CHING, KA-CHING! Enablers of illegal aliens.
Take a gander at this little ditty, specifically for illegal alien women birthing anchors:
http://neappleseed.org/docs/q&a_medicai ... _women.pdf

Is it me or do they offer more help to illegal aliens than they do Americans and legal residents?
http://neappleseed.org/

Oh Darcy, Darcy, Darcy for shame! Haven't you heard? Illegal aliens cause irreparable harm to all Americans, not just Nebraskans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVbv_RIQLXI

Here's a little propaganda at the rally from the OBL. The indians had their land stolen and our ancestors may have been illegals too. Notice that this cowardly TV station doesn't allow comments on their videos.

"Friends who come here, seeking the good life, who learn to follow football, become Husker fans, and even with broken English shout "Go Big Red" on Husker game days," said a student.

Awwww. How warm and fuzzy. Just wait until you graduate, maybe get a job if you don't need to compete with illegals, and have the privilege of paying for the welfare benefits of illegals. I'm guessing you'll change your tune.

"Friends who come here, seeking the good life, who learn to follow football, become Husker fans, and even with broken English shout "Go Big Red" on Husker game days," said a student.

When I'm out and about on a warm NE football game day I've noticed on game days the illegals and their comrades stand outside on their front lawns drinking. The only sport they care about is soccer and their local leagues are only made up of hispanics. You should see the trash on the ground after one of their games-it's horrific.

Below the bowed head of the Abraham Lincoln statue on the west side of the State Capitol, protestors of the Arizona-style immigration bill, LB48, gathered to voice their opinions.


The UNITY Rally, coordinated through the Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest, was held Thursday at noon on the west side of the State Capitol.


The rally had been postponed twice before due to hazardous winter travel conditions.


LB48 or The Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act, proposed by Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont on Jan. 6, has been controversial. Its adversaries believe it is discriminatory, promotes racial profiling and will allow law enforcement officials to detain a person if an officer has reasonable suspicion to suspect that he or she is not a legal resident of the United States.


"I am here today because I want a better future for my kids," Nora, a Mexican immigrant and mother of two, said at the rally. "My dream is for my kids to graduate from college. I am afraid that if LB48 is passed, my children will face discrimination and not be as successful as they can be."


Nine diverse organizations expressed their position against LB48 during the rally. In individual speeches, many of the organizations indicated similar concerns for Hispanic citizens if LB48 is passed.


"Laws that are based in discrimination have no place in this country," said Leroy Stokes president of the NAACP-Lincoln, as he addressed the crowd.


Frank LeMere, representing the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, said that it is time for Native Americans and other people of color to stand beside Hispanics against adversity.


Alexander Gibilisco, a junior international studies major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and member of the Mexican American Student Association, spoke about his personal challenges as an immigrant when coming to the United States, and how he was eventually accepted into American and Nebraskan cultures. He fears LB48 will discriminate against people like him and make it difficult for immigrants to be accepted into society.


UNL's MASA had a group of students in attendance.


"We are against LB48 not only for political reasons but also personal reasons," said Karise Carillo, president of MASA. "As members of the Latino community, we do not want to be singled out because of the way we speak or look."


MASA members intended to speak with their senator about not supporting the bill after the rally.

"I am for immigration reform, but I am against racism," said Alicia Dominquez, a member of MASA, as she went to talk to her senator.


Janet Sanchez, a sophomore business administration major and MASA member, urges others to get informed about the bill and learn all they can about what it means for Nebraska.


"The actual bill is only six pages long and it's easy to read. People really need to become informed on the details of the bill," Sanchez said.


UNL students were not the only ones to demonstrate their support at the rally. The multicultural club from Wayne State College were also in attendance.


"This really is the civil rights movement of our generation," said Jamie Malone, a senior at Wayne State. "We drove two hours to come here because this is something we feel strongly about and needs to be stopped."


Following the rally, attendants were encouraged to fill out anti-LB48 postcards for their senators.

Despite reoccurring concerns of discrimination, supporters of LB48 say the bill will not promote discrimination or racial profiling but help regulate illegal immigration. LB48 states in its opening paragraph that "a peace officer's reasonable suspicion shall not be based solely upon a person's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin."


Dominique Scott of Wayne State, who attended the rally, remained unconvinced.


"This bill is unjust as it mirrors Arizona's immigration law. It takes dedicated people to take action and make a change, and that is why we are here today," she said.


mariciaguzman@dailynebraskan.com

http://www.dailynebraskan.com/news/prot ... rticle=yes

"Let them know there are Nebraskans that care for them and want to welcome them as our neighbors," said Elizabeth Schroer of Omaha.

I guess they've never been to California. Are these people ever in for a rude awakening!

Below the bowed head of the Abraham Lincoln statue on the west side of the State Capitol, protestors of the Arizona-style immigration bill, LB48, gathered to voice their opinions.

Abraham is probably rolling in his grave right now after being used for this OBL propaganda hit piece.

Video of a Tea Party member interviewing OBL activists who attended the rally:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruYpGsi5A0s