Thread: Thousands march against immigration crackdown in Oregon

http://www.oregonlive.com



Thousands march against immigration crackdown
3/4/2006, 4:26 p.m. PT
By JOSEPH B. FRAZIER
The Associated Press


PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A boisterous but peaceful march of about 4,000 demonstrators opposed to pending stricter immigration legislation drummed and chanted through downtown Portland on Saturday, bringing together Hispanic organizations, labor unions, church and social groups.

They were opposed to pending legislation in Congress that would bring stiff increases in migration enforcement. They also protested the position of Ron Saxton, who is seeking the GOP gubernatorial nomination in May's primary.

"Saxton, we pick your food," read some signs.

Saxton has said that as governor he would stop supplying state benefits and driver's licenses to people living in Oregon illegally and has pledged "zero tolerance."

His two Republican opponents have aired views along the same lines.

The number of illegal immigrants in Oregon is not certain and probably varies by season. Some estimates put the number in the 150,000 range, part of an estimated 11 million in the nation.

Saturday's demonstrators paraded for an amnesty, similar to one granted in 1986, or other moves that would let them stay in the United States legally.

"No amnesty, no peace," they chanted. "No justice, no peace."

The House bill, which passed last year and is now in the Senate, would beef up border security with the help of local law enforcement and military technology and impose tougher penalties for smuggling and re-entry.

It makes drunken driving a deportable offense and make unlawful presence in the United States a felony.

It also would require all employers to submit Social Security numbers and other information to a national data base to verify the legal status of workers.

Speakers at a rally prior to the march said treaties such as the North American Free Trade Agreement have damaged the agricultural base in Mexico, forcing more people to come here looking for work.

Some predicted the bill in the Senate would make it a crime to help illegal immigrants or provide for them in church soup kitchens.

"A crime versus people is a crime versus God," said David Leslie, executive director of the Ecumenical Council of Oregon. "It undercuts what it means to be a part of a caring world."

There were a few counterdemonstrators. Some held a banner reading "No border, no country."

"Don't pay attention to them, don't give them the opportunity to take away the message we have," urged Ramon Ramirez, who leads Oregon's farmworker union.

Those supporting reduced restrictions on illegal immigrants say they do dangerous, low-paying work nobody else wants and contribute to the economy by paying taxes.

"Immigrants made America," read one sign. "Check your family tree," read another.

Wonder who they borrowed the signs from.

This is embarrassing. I had no idea there was a march yesterday.
Okay I dont read the paper or watch the tv news-mostly because it isnt news ....

and its 600,000 --- if they can march what can we gdo- I must find out about this Saxton guy- anyone know if he has a site?

There in the numbers is their strength. They mass and protest in these numbers, something I haven't seen anti-illegal organizations do. Why? Because we're too busy scraping together the cost of living and paying our billls. How is it these people can find the motivation to come together in these numbers and protest like we can't? This is what is scarey. We need to break away from our routine and protest back because if we don't, they will be heard and not US.

IMPEACHMENT NOW!!!

yes- and protesting is part of the latino culture- americans have this idea it is dirty-

we do have to get organized-
ps Iam still posting flyers-

Rockfish, this type of demonstration is limited in its effectiveness. In some ways they work against themselves, because the public gets to SEE with their own eyes the MOBS of illegals we are overrun with.They are organized by proffesional left wing groups that have been around longer than you and I. And their signs are usually asking for outrageous "rights" the same as citizens.

We need ICE to be in attendance at these demonstrations -SO LETS START CALLING ICE TO FIND OUT WHY ILLEGAS ARE OVERRUNNING OUR STREETS LIKE THAT!!


While alot of us might feel better to see a mob of Americans, WE dont need to mob the streets to be heard.
PHONE CALLS TO YOUR CONGRESSMAN ARE WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD.

As you pointed out, our movement is funded by ONLY US. We are not funded by corporations, by the Catholic Church, by the Communist Party or GOVERNMENT GRANTS. I have worked with "human rights" organizations in the past and they are very big on getting free government money for their organizing for "human rights"

And the Minutemen are planning to patrol 800 miles of border this April - with 6,500 volunteers to do it. They also have a backlog of 120,000 applicants.

DcSA, you are RIGHT. You said: In some ways they work against themselves, because the public gets to SEE

That's EXACTLY the way it struck me. The overall majority of Americans are not going to look at this positively, because they will think that on top of them being here illegally, we have to sit and view this !!

As you also said: SO LETS START CALLING ICE TO FIND OUT WHY ILLEGAS ARE OVERRUNNING OUR STREETS LIKE THAT!!

Very good idea. The bottom line is what you last said: PHONE CALLS TO YOUR CONGRESSMAN ARE WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD.

And I say we hit those phone calls HARD.

PHONE CALLS TO YOUR CONGRESSMAN ARE WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD.

This is nothing short of a disgrace on the Bush administration because Americans can now SEE what so many have been screaming about.

We should hope for more of these. Go ahead take to the streets, people ILLEGALLY in the United States.....make our point for US !

drummed and chanted

YAWN

Saturday's demonstrators paraded for an amnesty, similar to one granted in 1986, or other moves that would let them stay in the United States legally.

Not a chance!

migration enforcement

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT!!!

"No amnesty, no peace," they chanted. "No justice, no peace."
Hmmm is that a threat?

"Immigrants made America," read one sign. "Check your family tree,"

Yes, I have checked my tree and my ancesters came here legally and your point is???

Sometimes the protestors get paid to be there.

Illegal Alien's Quote:
"No amnesty, no peace," they chanted. "No justice, no peace."
Hmmm is that a threat?

Hmmm, is right, Virginiamama. Perhaps the LEGAL Citizens of the USA have SOMETHING to learn from them.

We'll see if this is the way to get the results you want from the Bush administration. We'll have to watch closely to see if it works.