Thread: NC Effort Faces Backlash from low turnout

Friends of ALIPAC,

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who helped with the NC effort this week. So many of you called and e-mailed on Wednesday that the phones were ringing all day in some offices. You really caught the attention of lawmakers.

I would like to thank Chris Simcox, Co-Founder of the Minuteman Movement, for flying in from AZ to be with us. Lee Nieves of You Don't Speak for Me drove in from Charlotte. Roan Garcia-Quintana came in from South Carolina. And my good friend Ron Woodard came in from Cary, NC with the flags and powered podium. Troy LaPlante was kind enough to be on hand to arrange the live broadcast and Dr. Taylor from the Civitas Institute made a great speech and brought great materials to go in our information packets to legislators. Mike Kelly of NC Voice brought in a good lobby team from Alamance County. ALIPAC's Press Director, Jim Palmer, came in from Asheville to help coordinate our efforts. In all, there were about 8 of us on the leadership team.

We have the audio file online for you to listen to. Please jump ahead to 2:33 in the recording for the beginning Audio file.
http://tinyurl.com/5s3hgf


Several people joined us around 8am including folks who left their homes at 3 am to be with us. We did a great job meeting with lawmakers and distributing information. We were very well received by lawmakers and staff alike.

Eight NC lawmakers were kind enough to come to our podium to speak during the rally and about fifteen different news agencies and TV crews were there for our 'historic rally'.

We were off to such a strong start and everything was working so well that we were in a great position to turn things around and get the Democratic leadership of the NC Legislature to take action against illegal immigration, instead of waiting another year.

We had over 20 wonderful people come to support our rally. They came from as far away as Myrtle Beach, SC! Combined with our leaders, we had around three dozen of our people at the rally. Those of you who took the time to come and stand with us for an hour have my unending thanks.

Most of the press was fair to us and accurately stated that we had a few dozen supporters at the event. While these numbers are too low for us to have the impact we need, at least they are accurate.

Opposition writers, such as Kristin Collins from the Raleigh News & Observer, lied and said we only had 'a dozen' supporters there. This paper is the newspaper most lawmakers read, while in session. Here are the titles of the newspaper articles in papers that support illegal immigration and illegal aliens.

Immigration rally in Raleigh draws sparse crowd
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-119896-barry.html+smith

and...

Turnout small for illegal immigration protest
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1112135.html

Kristin Collins Claims one Dozen
http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-707473.html#707473

Of course, this is standard political warfare from the News and Observer. They are notorious for lying, censorship, and not telling their readers about your event, while being eager to show up and report you had a small turnout!

If we had received the support of more than a few dozen people on the ground in Raleigh, then it might be worth our time to challenge Ms. Collin's on her low spin of our event. As things stand, there is no need to engage her to argue over one dozen vs. a few dozen.

Regardless, our low turnout was a victory for our opposition and handed to them by our supporters ,who did not come.

Today, these articles are being used to damage my name, the name of ALIPAC, and our efforts. NC Lawmakers are being assured by illegal alien supporting groups that ALIPAC and all her allies are to weak to worry about in the election.

Illegal immigration supporting bloggers are dancing in celebration.

Citizen Orange Blog writes

ALIPAC: Two Dozen Strong!
"William Gheen, President of ALIPAC, truly is the leader of a national movement. A movement of two dozen people that is..."

American Humanity Blog writes

"This event was supposed to be 'historic.' I don’t think that’s a good word to describe it, but I’ll be nice. Even in their own stomping grounds the anti-migrant crowd can’t drum up any support. Online they’re forocious, but when it comes to taking it to the streets no one shows up. I’ve seen this time and time again with these ralles. From Morristown, Harrisburg and Lakewood to this rally in Raleigh one wonders where are all the angry Americans? Maybe they just don’t exist."


The good news is that the AP did a fair story on the events

N.C. - Groups push for approval of illegal immigrant bill
http://www.alipac.us/article-3287-thread-1-0.html

and more evidence illegals are feeling our heat!

Raleigh, N.C. - Business at Mexican Consulate Skyrockets
http://www.alipac.us/article-3290-thread-1-0.html

I knew this would happen, if our supporters did not respond in adequate levels. I knew we needed a minimum of 50 people to be protected from this happening. We did not reach those numbers.

I did everything I know how to do to get people to our event. I sent urgent pleas to hundreds of our NC contacts. MCDC sent out emails, other groups sent out emails, and I went on 5 NC talk radio shows to promote the event.

This defeat for our side did not come from the strength of positions or leadership of our opposition.

This defeat came from within our own ranks. American apathy and apathy within our movement beat us this week.

While I am deeply saddened that so much work and expense was put into this event and so few people showed up, I know that everyone has good reasons, but in the end we either get it done or we fail.

I knew this backlash would happen, if enough people did not respond to my calls for aid at this event. I did my best to make that very clear in the e-mails.

We were short just 25 people needed to protect our flank at this event. In their absence, our enemies rushed in and have seized upon their absence to greatly damage our NC push and our future abilities in this state. The event was planned in haste and was in the middle of a work day and we know that hurt our turnout.

I have shared the full details on what has happened with you, in the hopes that this lesson will make us stronger for the future.

On Monday, we will pick up the pieces and assess the situation to see what can or cannot be salvaged in North Carolina. We may still be able to prevail in NC this year. We will know more on Monday.

All most Americans need to do to lose our nation, is to keep doing what they are doing now with work and family, business as usual.

As leaders, we must call on you for funding, for time to make calls, and time to come show your support. If enough of you respond in sufficient numbers and strength, we will win and illegal immigration will be reversed. If too few of you respond to our calls for time and money unified under our banners then our groups and leaders will fail, as will our cause.

These are the realities we face.


William Gheen
Americans for Legal Immigration PAC
www.alipac.us


PS: If you would like to share comments on this report, please post at...
http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-707486.html#707486

OK, how about we continue with our calls, e-mails and faxes to the NC General Assembly. They need to continue hearing from us and SURELY we all can make time for that.

-NC will see a large influx of illegal immigrants due to South Carolina's law just passed earlier this month. Legislation is needed to clamp down on illegal aliens in the state.

-make E-verify mandatory for public and private employers

-institute 287(g) statewide to determine the immigration status of those arrested and violators are to be turned over to ICE for deportation

-just say NO to allowing illegal aliens to attend our colleges, community colleges and state universities since it takes away a limited resource (a seat in college) from a deserving citizen and legal resident.

-do not provide funding to the illegal alien advocacy group in North Carolina, El Pueblo.

Call Democrats first, since they are responsible for the obstruction of laws clamping down on illegal immigrants.

NC House of Representatives:
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/House/House.html

NC Senate:
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Senate/Senate.html

I know you feel disheartened right now William. But maybe this article will help:

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-120092.html

Also I heard reports that the phones were ringing off the hook. That says a lot maybe even more to the leaders because people are talking with their own words to them about the changes they want.

While I am deeply saddened that so much work and expense was put into this event and so few people showed up, I know that everyone has good reasons, but in the end we either get it done or we fail.

Honestly, I was a little disappointed at the short notice that went out on the rally. I would have planned to attend if I would have had more than a weeks notice. As it was, I had to go out of town this past Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (couldn't take off on Wed. too). My plans could have been cancelled had I recieved a couple weeks notice. Not making excuses, just suggesting that the short notice probably had a lot to do with the low turnout.

We all share your pain.

William,

I apologize I was unable to make it to the event. I was looking forward to the ability to be part of this and supporting the cause. My problem is the fact it was during work hours, with the economy as it is now I have to be careful to choose what I take off work for.

I look forward to an evening event or a weekend event that will not create this conflict.

-Firemaneric

Originally Posted by Firemaneric

William,

I apologize I was unable to make it to the event. I was looking forward to the ability to be part of this and supporting the cause. My problem is the fact it was during work hours, with the economy as it is now I have to be careful to choose what I take off work for.

I look forward to an evening event or a weekend event that will not create this conflict.

-Firemaneric

Welcome to Alipac firemaneric glad to have you.

Several people joined us around 8am including folks that left their homes at 3am to be with us. We did a great job meeting with lawmakers and distributing information. We were very well received by lawmakers and staff alike.

Interest really dropped off after the amnesty defeat in June of last year.

The minuteman groups and supporters are starting to really appeal to people now with the ecconomy the way it is headed. More people understand what this is all about.

I remember feeling well received by some of the police when I used to attend the local rallies.

We are no longer the bogeyman.

The next historic event that happens that brings us together could be a BIGGY.

Good job William and all of you on the effort.

Kids are out of school, and while the many illegals are able to protest, most of us Americans cant be there cause WE are the ones thru our hard work and American dedication that make it possible for this economy to succeed so the illegals have jobs to come over and steal! If we didnt work there would be no jobs for them to take. I'll bet we'd have all day to march in the streets like them if we didnt work...

I find it encouraging too that the American Legion has come out with a booklet with facts and figures and against illegal immigration. They have never taken a stand on any political issue. So progress is being made. I heard on O'Reilly last night that the Democrats are looking at Immigration Enforcement as part of the campaign. Laura Ingraham brought it up. Wasn't quite sure what she meant but I'd be interested in seeing that. Maybe all of our faxes to congress members during this "off heightened alert" phase is doing something. I still fax to them even now with article off of Alipac about SSN and ID theft, crimes, etc and tell them we need the Save Act. Keep working like a turtle. slowing, persistently and don't stop. I don't need an alert to work and neither do any of you.

William , the reason for poor turn out doesn't revolve around you but rather echoes across the states within various organizations such as alipac . People have grown tired of faxing , e-mailing ,calling and writing letters only to have it fall upon deft ears. I refer to my fellow Americans as gutless , it's either that or they don't know what to do! William we are way passed the stage of asking over and over again the scumbags in Washington to move on our wishes.

They are not going to do anything unless they are forced. The preamble to the constitution makes it clear what our rights are and how we should act in order to protect ourselves from the foreign power that now controls our government. ALIPAC has been patient and worked hard to overcome the political roadblocks as other organizations have done. I ask you to consider banning together and lets start marching on Washington. Lets not ask! Lets demand the borders be closed. Lets demand deportation and demand amnesty be thrown out the window. Demand -- Demand! Demand!
Lets demand those who have committed treason be removed from office and be jailed!

William people are tired of the same old Crap over and over again!