Update on Orange County Protest against MMP
May 26, 2005
Two Hurt, Six Arrests in Orange County Protest of Minuteman Founder
The Associated Press
GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (AP) - A protest against the founder of a volunteer border-watching group turned violent when demonstrators started hurling rocks and bricks at police, authorities said.
Five people were arrested during the protest Wednesday on assault and weapon charges. Another man was arrested for driving a car into a crowd, but he was later released and no charges were expected.
Two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries when they were struck by the car.
The protesters were targeting a speech by Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman Project, which attracted hundreds of volunteers to the Arizona-Mexico border in April to watch for illegal immigrants.
Protesters accused Gilchrist's group of racism against Hispanics. "Their racist acts are being masked by patriotism," said Obed Sanchez of Garden Grove.
During his speech, Gilchrist called for deporting millions of illegal immigrants, arguing it would lower taxes and reduce traffic congestion.
Police eventually ordered the protesters to disperse.
AP-ES-05-26-05 1757EDT
This story can be found at: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBXBC0J79E.html