Thread: Hundreds gather for Riverside protest

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/p ... 006/NEWS01

Sunday, August 20, 2006

By DAVE PORTER
Associated Press

RIVERSIDE … The debate over illegal immigration heated up Sunday in the small New Jersey town of Riverside, with close to a thousand people taking to the streets.

The occasion was a protest against a township ordinance adopted last month that bans the hiring and housing of people who can't offer verification that they are in the U.S. legally.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Riverside Township Municipal Building during the afternoon, while several hundred massed across the street as part of a counter protest.

The air was filled with chants on both sides. But whether for or against the ordinance, those who rallied waved American flags.

Police cordoned off the town's main street as they attempted to keep the rallying under control.

The organizer of the rally protesting the approval of the ordinance has said he will bring more immigrants to the town if others are forced to leave.

The Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, is leading the opposition to the Illegal Immigration Relief Act adopted last month in this Burlington County community of about 8,000 people.

"For every immigrant who feels afraid and leaves Riverside, we are going to find an immigrant to volunteer to come live in Riverside," Rivera told the Courier-Post of Cherry Hill for Sunday editions. "Riverside is going to be ours."

The ordinance seeks to punish landlords and employers who house or hire illegal immigrants. Local officials estimate that as many as 3,500 illegal immigrants, many from Brazil, live in the town.

The ordinance is similar to one passed earlier in July in Hazleton, Pa., and comes as other towns around the nation are considering such actions.

Both the Riverside and Hazleton ordinances have been challenged in federal court. The challenge to the Riverside ordinance contends that the town is assuming powers that more rightfully rest with the federal government.

Residents of Riverside and township officials say the ordinance targets illegality, not immigrants. Gary Christopher, chairman of the local planning board, said there is nothing wrong with "making it uncomfortable to be illegal."

Rivera and others charge there is a darker impulse at work.

"They disguise it as a solution to the immigrant problem, but what they are really expressing is a racist and discriminatory attitude against Latinos," he said.

Residents of Riverside and township officials say the ordinance targets illegality, not immigrants. Gary Christopher, chairman of the local planning board, said there is nothing wrong with "making it uncomfortable to be illegal."

Why is it that illegal aliens can't seem to get this through their heads? Its not about race, creed, or anything but plain and simply breaking the law. Do they not teach the rule of law in other countries? Apparently not.

For every immigrant who feels afraid and leaves Riverside, we are going to find an immigrant to volunteer to come live in Riverside,"

Good luck with that.....maybe you will find someone stupid enough to come live there. They would love to start a riot. These people are worthless! Where is ICE? I bet if a ICE showed up in force, things would change. They need to go in and clean out the whole town and then move on to the next one!

The organizer of the rally protesting the approval of the ordinance has said he will bring more immigrants to the town if others are forced to leave.

The Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, is leading the opposition to the Illegal Immigration Relief Act adopted last month in this Burlington County community of about 8,000 people.

"For every immigrant who feels afraid and leaves Riverside, we are going to find an immigrant to volunteer to come live in Riverside," Rivera told the Courier-Post of Cherry Hill for Sunday editions. "Riverside is going to be ours."

Wow, talk about hate! Can you believe this guy is suppose to be a tool of God. What ever happend to the separation of Church and State? The Rev. Rivera is certainly involved in local politics. Does anyone know if this guy has his own church?

Wow, talk about hate!

Ya can't get more "in your face" than that.

Why is it that illegal aliens can't seem to get this through their heads? Its not about race, creed, or anything but plain and simply breaking the law. Do they not teach the rule of law in other countries? Apparently not.

I wonder that everyday.

Why is it that illegal aliens can't seem to get this through their heads? Its not about race, creed, or anything but plain and simply breaking the law. Do they not teach the rule of law in other countries? Apparently not.

Because they know it's effective with the PC crowd. Even if they are wearing (have worn) it out.

"Riverside is going to be ours."

More of their takeover talk which must be stopped. And for a minister this doesn't sound like peaceful talk but threatening and with an attacking tone.

Originally Posted by Shapka

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060820/NEWS/60820007/1006/NEWS01

Rivera and others charge there is a darker impulse at work.

"They disguise it as a solution to the immigrant problem, but what they are really expressing is a racist and discriminatory attitude against Latinos," he said.

Let me rephrase this quote to be more accurate.

Rivera and others charge there is a darker impulse at work.

"They disguise it as a solution to the immigrant problem, but what they are really expressing is a desire to make criminal activity seem normal to justify their lifestyle".

Trouble

Just FYI as to who supports Rev. Rivera and his band of illegals.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement back in September 2005.

“The National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders deserves a lot of credit for the work they’ve done to promote immigration reform and fair treatment for undocumented immigrants."