Thread: Small rally for immigrants' rights met by opposition

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Small rally for immigrants' rights met by opposition
By: Victoria DeMaria
Posted: 5/2/07
A little more than a year after a rally in support of immigrants' rights drew thousands to Boston Common and Copley Square, a sparse crowd of supporters who rallied on the Common yesterday were joined by a considerably large number of opponents to their cause.

Most of the approximately 300 demonstrators at the May Day Demonstration for Immigrant Rights stood under an array of international flags, calling for the immediate legalization of all undocumented immigrants. But their calls were sometimes matched by a smaller group, draped in red, white and blue that instead rallied for the deportation of undocumented immigrants and their families.

Though the demonstration did not include the large number of activist organizations that gathered at last year's rally, many said they attended to offer support without a particular association with any special interest group.

Jamaica Plain resident Khury Petersen-Smith pointed to recent data from a USA Today/Gallup poll that reported 78 percent of Americans polled favor the legalization of undocumented immigrants.

"We need to organize people and turn a majority into an active majority," Petersen-Smith said.

Gavi Bogin-Farber, who carried a sign that read, "No human being is illegal," came to the rally from Manhattan with the group Teens Acting for Social Change because she disagrees with the way she said immigrants have been portrayed in the media in the past year, as raids and new laws seeking to crack down on immigration laws have taken the spotlight.

"[The media] doesn't look at why immigrants come [to the United States]," Bogin-Farber said. "They're coming across the border to support their families, to come for a better life for them and their children. They're dehumanized by being called illegals."

A smaller group at the rally called for stricter border control and no amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Many carried placards bearing the name of U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), a strong opponent of illegal immigration. During the demonstration, one person favoring stricter laws for undocumented immigrants who wore a sombrero and waved maracas danced in front of the activists on the gazebo.

"There's nothing wrong with immigrants coming here -- just do it the right way," said Beverly firefighter Robert McClory, who dressed as Uncle Sam and carried a sign that read, "Illegal immigrants take American jobs down."

McClory admitted if he faced the same opposition as undocumented immigrants did, he would likely demonstrate in the same way. He said, however, there must be some means of curbing the flow of undocumented immigrants, because he has seen severely overcrowded apartments owned by undocumented immigrants when he has responded to several calls.

Schools are becoming overcrowded as well, he said, adding teachers have to work at a slower pace to cater to students who do not speak English as their first language.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Copyright 2007 The Daily Free Press
http://link.toolbot.com/dailyfreepress.com/76703

Jamaica Plain resident Khury Petersen-Smith pointed to recent data from a USA Today/Gallup poll that reported 78 percent of Americans polled favor the legalization of undocumented immigrants.

And Abadadodo of Iran just converted to Christianity! This poll number just keeps growing......last week it was 70%. Pretty soon it will be 98%. You would have to be living under a rock to believe that poll!

Originally Posted by gofer

Jamaica Plain resident Khury Petersen-Smith pointed to recent data from a USA Today/Gallup poll that reported 78 percent of Americans polled favor the legalization of undocumented immigrants.

And Abadadodo of Iran just converted to Christianity! This poll number just keeps growing......last week it was 70%. Pretty soon it will be 98%. You would have to be living under a rock to believe that poll!

Yea, they are getting a bad case of the Teddy Kennedy afliction. making it sound they way they want it even if it is a lie they everyone recognizes.

They're dehumanized by being called illegals."

Oh too damn bad. If the zapato fits wear it! How many Americans have been killed, raped, robbed, or injured at the hands of illegals? Do you think these events are not "de-humanizing"?

Sorry, but your sympathy trek isn't working so let me end it for you. Grab your english dictionary and look between S*** and syphillus in the dictionary.

Isn't it funny how this one biased gallup poll has been getting this much attention? And yet all the other polls which reflect the TRUE results are hardly mentioned.

This same newspaper reported that 78% of respondents admitted to enjoying having a root canal performed

ALIPAC needs to ask to see the results of that poll. I don't think it's correct. Challange the poll. Better yet. ALIPAC could conduct it's own poll that everyone could vote on. ALIPAC could put the poll everywhere......Make this a BIG poll.

Jamaica Plain resident Khury Petersen-Smith pointed to recent data from a USA Today/Gallup poll that reported 78 percent of Americans polled favor the legalization of undocumented immigrants.

Every pro-illegal supporter and illegal immigrant has been using this skewed poll to add credibility to their cause lately.