Thread: Illegal Alien advocates advertising on bollboards

Signs hit at state's new immigration law

by: BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
8/2/2007 11:01 AM
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article. ... hTheb68627

The billboards' sponsors say the intent is to humanize the result of the law for families.

Two billboards along Tulsa's busy stretch of Interstate 44 were unveiled Wednesday to raise awareness of the opposition to Oklahoma's sweeping illegal immigration law that will take effect Nov. 1.

One, sponsored by the United Front Task Force and facing west near Memorial Drive, asks, "Is it OK for Oklahoma to have a law that promotes hate among people?"

The other, sponsored by the American Dream Coalition and facing east near Sheridan Road, features a tearful girl clutching a teddy bear with the statement, "My mommy is not a criminal. She is a hardworking Hispanic woman."

The groups hope the two billboards soon will be followed by many others.

"We want people to know that families will be torn apart by this legislation," said the Rev. Victor Orta II, president of the American Dream Coalition. "I am for the enforcement of our immigration laws, but there needs to be legalization for families who have been here a long time."

The Rev. Luis-Carlos Sanchez of the United Front Task Force said Tulsa was chosen for the billboards over Oklahoma City because of the friction here.

"Unfortunately there's a high-level of discrimination taking place," he said. "People are living in constant fear."

State Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, the author of House Bill 1804, said critics fail to understand the intent of the law.

"This isn't about whether you are for or against immigration, or for or against immigrants," he said. "It doesn't matter what your skin color is or if you speak with an accent.

"What matters is if you are in the country legally or illegally. The only people threatened by House Bill 1804 are those who choose to break the law."

The law will eliminate most taxpayer subsidies for illegal immigrants, allow state and local law enforcement officers to verify immigration statuses of those arrested and crack down on businesses that employ illegal immigrants, among other measures.

Terrill said the two Tulsa billboards will not affect the new law taking effect.

"It doesn't matter if opponents put up two billboards or 200, that won't change the fact that House Bill 1804 is the law and will be enforced beginning Nov. 1," he said.

A "Say No to 1804 Legal Defense Fund" has been established by the United Front Task Force.

Terrill said the law will be defended in court, if necessary.

"I'm 99.9 percent confident that this bill will withstand any legal challenge brought against it," he said.

"House Bill 1804 is not preempted by federal law. It does not exceed the scope of state authority in this area and is designed to sync perfectly with federal immigration law."

Terrill has called for the donors to the fund to be publicly identified.

Sanchez would not disclose the United Front Task Force's funding sources, even concerning the billboard, saying attorneys are reviewing that issue.

In a news release, supporting organizations of the group's billboard were listed as the Coalition of Hispanic Organizations, Jewish Federation of Tulsa and Tulsa Interfaith Alliance.

Also cited were the Tulsa Indian Coalition Against Racism, Islamic Society of Tulsa, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministries, Pastors for Peace, YWCA Tulsa, Tulsa Urban League, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Oklahomans for Equality.

Representatives of many of those organizations were at the event about the signs.

David Bernstein of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa was one of the speakers at the news conference.

"HB 1804 seems to be designed to make life miserable for thousands of immigrants and promotes mistrust toward all immigrants, including those here legally," he said. "It also fuels racism and discrimination against all Latinos."

Terrill said many of the groups in question are nonprofit and therefore tax-exempt and could be jeopardizing their tax-exempt status by engaging in prohibited political activity.

"These groups are walking a very fine line," he said.

The money for the American Dream Coalition's billboard, amounting to roughly $3,700 to put it up and $1,600 per month thereafter, has been raised over months by individuals and names will be released if legally necessary, Orta said.

Those Billboards are going to backfire on them. It's too "in-your-face". What will happen is it will wake up still sleeping Americans on the illegal immigraiton issue.

They're better off staying in the "shadows". The more they whine, complain and demand, the more damage they do to themselves.

So I say....BRING ON THE BILLBOARDS!!!

"Unfortunately there's a high-level of discrimination taking place," he said. "People are living in constant fear."

More useless rhetoric from the OBL side. They are really getting desperate. There can't be any discrimination because the law doesn't apply to a particular race, it applies to illegals of ALL races.

"We want people to know that families will be torn apart by this legislation," said the Rev. Victor Orta II, president of the American Dream Coalition. "I am for the enforcement of our immigration laws, but there needs to be legalization for families who have been here a long time."

I love this paragraph. So should we repeal all the law which break up families? If so, I guess we'll have open up all the prisons and tear them down.
And lastly, my personal favorite, the OBL double standard here. He claims to be "...for the enforcement of our immigration laws," but his group doesn't support this one? Well this is an immigration law ESTUPIDO!

I love the confidence Terrill is displaying on this one. I don't know much about his political background, but he cuts right through to the heart of the issue with his statements, and seems to be standing up for OK. I really hope the law is as concrete as he makes it out to be because if it is challenged, hopefully the challenge will be defeated. Hopefully the ACLU is so busy with all their other law suites that they will leave this one alone.

Here's a thought. Call his office or e-mail him to show him some support. You know he's getting ripped by the bleeding hearts.

Rep. Terrill, Randy
District 53
Republican

randyterrill@okhouse.gov

Capitol Address:
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Room 407
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 557-7346
randyterrill@okhouse.gov

District Address:
612 S. W. 12th Street
Moore, OK 73160


Leadership
Assistant Majority Floor Leader

Committees
Revenue & Taxation, Chair
Appropriations & Budget
GCCA
Public Health
Elections & Redistricting


District Information
View District Map
Term Limited
2016

Biographical Information
PERSONAL:
Randy Terrill was born on September 29, 1969, in Alva, Oklahoma. He married the former Angela Fitzgerald of Comanche, Oklahoma. They have two children, Elizabeth and Randal.

EDUCATION:
Alva High School
Bachelor’s Degree (summa cum laude) in Political Science and a minor in Economics from the University of Central Oklahoma
Juris Doctorate (Order of the Coif) from the University of Oklahoma

PROFESSION:
Professor of Government and Law at Hillsdale College in Moore
Self-employed business and legal consultant


POSITIONS:
Press Intern for Gov. Henry Bellmon
Legislative Assistant to former House Republican Leader Larry Ferguson
Director of Legislative Research and Special Projects for Gov. Frank Keating
Political Director of the Oklahoma Republican Party
Special Assistant to Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau

ORGANIZATION:
American Legislative Exchange Council
Moore and Norman Chamber of Commerce
Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee
Oklahoma and Sooner Republican Assembly
Southgate Baptist Church in Moore

LEGISLATIVE SERVICE:
House of Representatives, 50th Legislature to present

Thanks Zeezil, I sent him both an email and a fax with a thank you letter. Even though I don't live in OK, I wanted him to know that he is doing to right thing, and I am thankful we do have some leaders who are listening to their constituents.

Sent along a letter of support!!