Thread: Rally slated in Hazleton to supportIllegal Immigration Relie

Rally slated in Hazleton to supportIllegal Immigration Relief Act
http://www.tnonline.com/node/168869


By RICHARD FUNKrfunktnonline.com

Hazleton has, over the past year or so, become ground zero in the fight against illegal immigration and on Sunday a rally will be held to support Mayor Louis Barletta's Illegal Immigration Relief Act.
The city gained national attention in 2006, when council passed the act, which was instituted to punish those who rent to or hire illegal aliens. Barletta said the ordinance was necessary due to a marked increase in violent crime, crowded schools, medical costs and the soaring demand for services.
Members of several organizations opposed to the ordinance have called it " divisive and illegal" and challenged it in court, while those supporting the law say illegal immigration has damaged the city's quality of life.
Planning the rally is the grassroots organization Voice of the People USA and the event will be held at 2 p.m. in front of Hazleton City Hall.
"On Sept. 22, 3,000 innocent lives were lost," a press release from the organization says. "At that moment, our country began the war on terror. Since 9/11, nine times as many lives have been lost to the hands of illegal aliens on our own soil."
According to the release, the group is neither in favor of, or against, the war in Iraq, but its main interest is to uphold the Constitution and fight against illegality.
"Our elected officials in Washington are failing us," the group said. "They are failing to represent American Citizens, failing the oath to uphold the Constitution and most importantly, they're failing the voters and failing to represent the voice of the people."
Voice of the People USA believes the time for "sitting back and passively watching" is over and the citizens can no longer accept being a "mute entity."
"We must unite, regardless of race, color, sex or ethnic background," the group says. "We must force the government to hear our voices and erase the lawlessness that is sweeping our country and getting stronger."
Sunday's rally will be held "for the people and by the people" and speakers from all over the country will attend. Barletta will appear, as will Ezola Foster, who was Pat Buchanan's running mate in the 2000 presidential election. Joey Vento, from Gino's Cheesesteaks, Philadelphia, will also be in attendance, as will John Clark, from Americans for Immigration Control.
William Green, from Americans for Legal Immigration; Greg Sheenan, of the Minuteman Project; Hagen Smith, of the Constitutional Party; Frank Scave, from the FIRE Coalition; Carmen Morales, of Your Don't Speak for Me and United Patriots of America; Peter Gadiel, from 9/11 Families for a Secure America; and Paul Topete, lead singer of the band Poker Face, will also attend.
"We also have Gary Sutton, radio talk show host from WSBA, in York, coming," the release said. "This will be the first of many rallies we will be holding in our fight for immigration reform."
Security for the event will be provided by the Hazleton Police Department.
"Regardless of how many people attend that day, our rally will proceed on schedule and make our voices heard," the group[ said. "Wh wholeheartedly invite any one not afraid to stand with us and stand up for America."

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There are some great Amerians at this Rally.