http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2007/ ... 45876.html

Feb. 02, 2007


Minutemen organize Pahrump chapter
MEMBERS DENY ORGANIZATION IS RACIST; ONE CITES HIS OWN LATINO ANCESTRY
By DAVID BAKER
SPECIAL TO THE PVT

Pahrump's Minutemen held their first meeting Saturday, Jan. 27 and are eager for supporters.

Formed to promote awareness about illegal immigration and border security concerns, the parent organization is active in many areas along the border with Mexico.

The group, which observes and channels information to immigration authorities, denies allegations about its makeup and it's purpose.

Scott Di Benedetto, founder of the local chapter, said, "We are not a racist hate group. I see three colors: red, white, and blue. We need to keep people aware of what is really happening. Too many are watching 'American Idol' or 'Survivor' and not what is really happening. Every week we'll carry our flags."

The Pahrump Minutemen plan on displaying their flags every Friday at 11 a.m on Highway 160. They even have members that drive in from Amargosa Valley each week to participate.

"We are mad, but the media doesn't cover us," Di Benedetto said. "The politicians that are friendly are also having to fight an uphill battle against the ACLU, corporate America, moneyed interests."

Most of the attendees seemed to want to give their own observations and discuss their views. They are not politicians but merely working people, retirees and a scattering of a few professionals. "We're just regular people. I am a cook. I just want to see a change," said Di Benedetto.

"Because of TV, people can no longer tell the difference between fact and opinion," said Christopher McCoin. "I am tired of illegal immigrants wanting to have all the rights and privileges of being a citizen of the U.S.A. without wanting to accept the responsibilities of citizenship.

"Americans need to stand up for America. It is not our duty to provide the rest of the world an American standard of life. In Mexico for instance, you don't work, you don't eat. Here they give you an Escalade and satellite TV, all due to the social entitlement programs to include Social Security.

"Its not just Mexico. There are 100,000 illegal Chinese that have come to America. Not to mention some of the worst offenders. The Russian mob brings slaves into the states from the Ukraine, Hungary and Romania to work as prostitutes, Africa is still bringing slaves to America."

When asked why he and his wife were signing on, Barry Audry paused before replying.

"I have watched for years as this has grown bigger and bigger," he said. "I have seen trespassers from all over the world come illegally into our country. When you send in a complaint to your elected representative, you get back form letters and other useless pap. I began to wonder: Is anyone going to do anything?

"Now, there are multi-billion-dollar drug cartels pushing drugs across the border. This problem can only be addressed from the bottom up.

"The other reason I joined was because the Minutemen brought this issue to the general public's attention. It's a multi-faceted problem, its reaching a critical mass. Soon it may not be possible to stop it and secure our borders. Our country was built on legal immigration. These people are not immigrants. They are trespassers. This fight is second only to our war on terrorism."

After the meeting was formally concluded, several members chatted in the Elks Club parking lot. Several comments could be overheard: "I'm not racist. this is not about race. It's about our way of life being eroded ... Half of my family is of Latino descent or Mexican ... It's about poor people being used on both sides of the border for profit."

(The Elks put out a prepared statement, explaining that their allowing the Minutemen to use the clubhouse for the meeting does not indicate approval or disapproval of its attitudes.)