Thread: Tennessee Volunteer Minutemen getting ready for a counter pr

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=5155752&nav=0RYv

Tennessee Volunteer Minutemen getting ready for a counter protest

July 15, 2006

By SONU WASU
6 News Reporter

HAMBLEN COUNTY (WATE) -- Several members of the Tennessee Volunteer Minutemen gathered around a bonfire Saturday night, getting ready to stage a protest on Monday morning.

The group's leader, Carl Twofeathers Whitaker says his sources have told him, a bus load of Hispanic citizens will be heading to the Knoxville area on Monday to hold a rally outside the federal building in downtown Knoxville.

"Some of these are the same people who have been involved in Los Angeles, they have attacked minutemen out in Los Angeles."

Whitaker is the state director of the Volunteer Minutemen. The group is against illegal immigration.

Whitaker says, his men and women will be ready if the protest turns ugly. "To attack a minuteman whether he's in California or wherever he's at, we're not going to tolerate that." Whitaker adds, "We're not going to go there fighting, but we won't stand there and take it if somebody comes running and jumping at us."

Whitaker says he plans to wear his bullet proof vest, but stresses that none of minutemen will be carrying weapons. They've also urged members to bring American flags, but to make sure they're not on sticks or poles.

Six News spoke to a local advocate in the Hispanic Community. He was not aware of an immigration rally on Monday, but stresses, rallies are held to educate people.

Tomas Mares says there is a misconception about Hispanics in the community. "Most people think Hispanics do not pay taxes, that is not true."

Mares says Hispanic immigrants have as much of a right to attain the American dream, as anyone else. "It's not just Hispanics, throughout America's history, as they say quote unquote, it's a melting pot."

Six News has received phone calls from a group based out of Chattanooga, letting us know about a march that will be held on Monday morning.

We called the Knoxville Police Department to find out if they know anything about this rally. A spokesperson tells Six News they are aware, and have made arrangements, but they cannot disclose any more information.

Mares says Hispanic immigrants have as much of a right to attain the American dream, as anyone else. "It's not just Hispanics, throughout America's history, as they say quote unquote, it's a melting pot."

Yes, we're a melting pot of people who came here the right way, legally. Get in line, do it the legal way. Just because they are here illegally doesn't mean they deserve to stay.
Wish those Minutemen well, bless their hearts.

I only hope these events will not turn ugly, my biggest fear is that these events will turn violent, we have enough problems as it is without things like that happening.

I agree MountainDog.
It's the federal government's fault that we are in this situation.