Thread: Riverside, NJ protestors clash over illegal immigration

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N.Jersey protestors clash over illegal immigration
Sun Aug 20, 2006 5:49 PM ET


By Jon Hurdle



RIVERSIDE, New Jersey (Reuters) - Opponents of a local law cracking down on illegal immigrants clashed on Sunday with residents chanting "go home" as both sides proclaimed their loyalty to the United States.

An estimated 300 to 400 people gathered outside the town hall to protest a recently passed ordinance that bans hiring or renting to illegal immigrants, who are accused of overburdening local services such as schools and hospitals without paying taxes.

The protesters, representing the largely Brazilian immigrant community of Riverside, were heckled by about 500 counter-demonstrators kept at bay by police on the other side of the town's main intersection.

As immigration supporters accused the town's council of racism, opponents chanted "USA, USA" and waved placards saying "Scram" and "Stop Illegal Immigration." A passing pickup truck drew loud cheers by flying a Confederate flag with the motto "The South Will Rise Again."

Riverside, with a population of about 8,000, is the latest community to pass local regulations on illegal immigration in the absence of a federal law that would address the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants currently in the United States.

U.S. lawmakers are trying to reconcile a bill in the House of Representatives that emphasizes stronger border controls and stiff penalties, with that of the Senate, which seeks a path to citizenship for eligible immigrants.

A similar law was adopted by the Pennsylvania town of Hazleton in July. Both Hazleton and Riverside, about 20 miles from Philadelphia, are being sued on the grounds that only the federal government has legal authority over immigration.

Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, called the Riverside law "racist." He criticized Mayor Charles Hilton by saying his initiative in passing the law was equivalent to the Confederate flag being flown by the counter-demonstrators.

Across the street, several people held placards with pictures of Rivera, accusing him of racism and saying "Take Your Trash Elsewhere."

Opponents' chants of "go home" were countered by calls of "we are home" from immigrants' supporters. Demonstrators on both sides waved the U.S. flag and claimed their allegiance to the United States.

Larry Mourey, 52, who said he had lived all his life in Riverside, denied there was any racism in his support for the town's ordinance. He said he had no problem with immigrants as long as they were legal but objected to paying taxes to support illegal ones.

Lindsey Sickler, 19, said she supported the ordinance because the illegal immigrants were using local services without paying taxes, and their children are driving down school test scores because they can't speak English.

"If we were in their country and doing the same thing, they would be trying to get us out," she said.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com

Sunday, August 20, 2006 · Last updated 2:58 p.m. PT

N.J. immigration law sparks protest

By DAVE PORTER
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER




RIVERSIDE, N.J. -- Hundreds of protesters and counter-protesters assembled in this small Philadelphia suburb Sunday in response to the community's new attempt to crack down on illegal immigration.

Protesters argued against a township ordinance adopted last month that bans the hiring and housing of people who cannot verify they are legal residents. A larger group massed across the street to support the new law.

People on both sides of the street waved American flags.

The protest organizer vowed to invite new immigrants to Riverside if people are forced to leave.

"For every immigrant who feels afraid and leaves Riverside, we are going to find an immigrant to volunteer to come live in Riverside," the Rev. Miguel Rivera told the Courier-Post of Cherry Hill for Sunday editions. "Riverside is going to be ours."

Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, is leading the opposition to the Illegal Immigration Relief Act in this community of about 8,000 people.

The ordinance punishes landlords and employers who house or hire illegal immigrants. Local officials estimate that as many as 3,500 illegal immigrants, many from Brazil, live in the town.

The ordinance is similar to one passed in July in Hazleton, Pa., and comes as other towns across the nation are considering such measures.

Both the Riverside and Hazleton ordinances have been challenged in federal court.

Good for that town passing those laws. If they can't rent and they can't work they will leave

500 counter-demonstrators Way to go patriots!!!!!!!!!

That is a big rally for our side!!!!!!!!!

Was that a wart on her nose? What flag was that the pro illegas were waving around? It looked like it had star charts on the lower half of the circle.

Dixie

Yes, I sure am glad to see citizens standing up for themselves and their quality of life. I'm so sick of seeing illegals demanding their 'rights.'
Go Riverside!!! Proud of you all!

500 counter-demonstrators Way to go patriots!!!!!!!!!

That is a big rally for our side!!!!!!!!!

GoooooooooooTeam! Don't it make you feel good! That it is a pretty good turn out. Are we finally starting to reach some sort of critical mass?

Found another video here.

http://cbs3.com/topstories/local_story_232225959.html

08/21/2006
Tensions high in Riverside: Both sides square off at rally against illegal alien ordinance
DAVID PORTER , Associated Press

Of The RIVERSIDE -- Simmering tensions over illegal immigrants were ratcheted up yesterday in this small town on the Delaware River, as a rally protesting the passage of a recent township ordinance drew several hundred people and forced the closure of the town’s main street.
About 200 people gathered in front of the Riverside Township Municipal Building to protest the law passed last month, which imposes penalties on anyone hiring or housing illegal immigrants.

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On the other side of the intersection, behind police barriers, several hundred people waved signs and American flags and screamed epithets at the gathering.

"This can only lead to more separation, more hostility, more hatred, more anger,’’ Marlene Lao-Collins, associate director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference, told the group in front of the municipal building. "As we have seen, this ordinance has already created hostility toward all immigrants, whether they are illegal or not.’’

Police closed off the town’s main street to traffic. After the rally, they escorted the protesters down the street to a church, without incident.

Emotions ran high during the 90-minute rally. Several cars drove past waving Confederate flags and shouting, "Go home!’’ while in front of the municipal building, one person held up a sign that read, "We Are Home.’’

"They don’t pay taxes, they don’t pay nothing,’’ fumed Bill Bernd, a roofer who said he has lived in Riverside for 40 years. "They’re taking our work because they’re underbidding us.’’

The ordinance seeks to punish landlords and employers who house or hire illegal immigrants. Local officials estimate that as many as 3,500 illegal immigrants, many from Brazil, live in the town. It is similar to one passed earlier in July in Hazleton, Pa., and comes as other towns around the nation are considering such actions.

Both the Riverside and Hazleton ordinances have been challenged in federal court. The challenge to the Riverside ordinance contends that the town is assuming powers that more rightfully rest with the federal government.

Local residents and township officials have said the law targets illegality, not immigrants.

"It’s about fairness,’’ said Frank Bury, 69, a retired teacher from Cinnaminson who attended yesterday’s rally. "Say someone comes to your house uninvited -- they don’t belong there. But then they want you to feed them and send their kids to school.’’

A diametrically opposed view was offered by Camden City Council President Angel Fuentes, who addressed the crowd in front of the municipal building.

"You are contributors, you are taxpayers,’’ Fuentes said, and compared the current landscape to the civil rights battles of the 1960s. "It could happen anywhere. It is an embarrassment to human beings.’’

Brian Lewis, a landscaper from nearby Delran, watched the scene from the sidewalk on the anti-protesters’ side but sounded a note of dissent.

"It’s hypocritical,’’ Lewis said. "People are saying, ‘They don’t pay their taxes.’ How many people who are in this country legally don’t pay their taxes? I’m not saying we should let every person in, but at least give them a chance.’’

big story!

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Funny this stuff wasn't reported earlier about throwing and spitting. One of the videos did show a group in a car with a confederate flag but I didn't see many of them.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/ ... 01030.html

Group vows to fight anti-illegal immigrant law

By TODD MCHALE
Burlington County Times

RIVERSIDE — Tomatoes, eggs and spit will not deter them.

A national Latino group has vowed to keep up the opposition to the township's new anti-illegal immigrant law despite the hostility it faced during a prayer vigil Sunday.

The Rev. Mi-guel Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy & Christian Leaders, said he was saddened by the reaction of hundreds of area residents who came out to stage a counterprotest.

“Many (residents) brought Confederate flags and demonstrated despicable behavior that included racial and obscene sneers, spitting, throwing eggs and tomatoes at peaceful leaders of faith,” Rivera said. “I told our people that in the example of Jesus, we had to walk right through the center of this hateful crowd in defense of our people and with a message of justice.”

The rally on Scott Street, which drew hundreds of people on both sides of the issue, came three weeks after the Township Committee adopted the Illegal Immigration Relief Act, which makes it unlawful to hire or rent housing to an illegal immigrant.

Violators of the ordinance face fines starting at $1,000, loss of business licenses and other penalties.

Mayor Charles Hilton said the town, which has about 8,000 residents, has between 1,500 and 3,500 undocumented immigrants living in the township.

Committee members cited overcrowding in schools and residences, an increase in criminal activity and escalating costs for local services as their reasoning for passing the ordinance.

Rivera said there's no documentation that backs up the township officials' claims.

School and police officials have said they have not seen a major spike in enrollment or crimes that can be traced to illegal immigrants.

The coalition and other opponents have challenged the ordinance in federal court.

As the issue continues to divide the township, the coalition is concerned hatred of immigrants will spread to the township's schools.

“On the first day of school in Riverside, we will be present to ensure that none of the children of immigrants are barred from the classroom,” Rivera said.


William Sanchez-Calderon, who is representing the coalition in the federal lawsuit, said he's concerned that children of immigrants could face discrimination when they return to school next month.

“Undocumented people have rights in this country,” Sanchez-Calderon said. “The U.S. Constitution protects us all, and people have a right to know, for example, that their children can indeed attend public school. We are very concerned right now for the children of immigrants who are about to start school. We intend to do everything we can to protect them.”

Township Solicitor Douglas Heinold has said he believes the ordinance will stand up in court.

The committee will hold a public hearing on an amendment to the ordinance during its meeting tomorrow night at 7:30.

The meeting has been moved to the Riverside High School auditorium to accommodate the expected crowd.

The amendment will add “knowingly” to the law when if refers to aiding and abetting illegal immigrants and to make the terminology consistent and provide a clear direction for enforcement.

In related news, the Rev. Luis Cortes Jr., president of Esperanza USA, the largest Hispanic faith-based nonprofit organization in the country, will speak at a community forum on immigration at the Best Western Burlington Inn on Route 541 in Mount Holly at 6 tonight.

The forum is free and open to the public.

Cortes will address how spiritual and community leaders can respond and offer support to those adversely affected by such laws as those passed here and in Hazleton, Pa.

“It is important for spiritual and community leaders in cities with such punitive and draconian laws to promote peace and to work with city leaders to find a reasonable solution to these perceived problems,” Cortes said.

E-mail: TODD MCHALE


August 22, 2006 7:14 AM