Thread: Danbury - a day in infamy.

Street protest. Saturday January 6, 2007



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Bill Tibbe

Immigration control group protests coverage


By Karen Ali
THE NEWS-TIMES


DANBURY -- About 18 people turned out this morning in front of The News-Times building to protest the paper for what they believe is biased reporting on immigration.









The demonstration was organized by Paul Streitz, the co-director of CT Citizens for Immigration Control.






Streitz wants people to boycott the paper until reporters write about what he feels is the full impact of illegal immigration. "We wanted to raise awareness of the issue," Streitz said.



Streitz said the protest was in response to a four-day series, which ended Wednesday in The News-Times, called " Changes: Immigration's Impact on Greater Danbury ."



Streitz handed out fliers to several of the protesters, which he wanted them to pass on to the paper's advertisers, asking them to stop advertising in the newspaper. Streitz said The News-Times and other newspapers are "too politically correct."



"It's an attitude throughout the papers in Connecticut," Streitz said. "It's advocacy journalism."



Several of the protesters held signs with phrases like "The News-Times, News on a Slant."



A handful of people across the street from the newspaper's building at 333 Main St. were there to protest the protesters. One man held up a sign saying "Immigrants are Welcome. Racists are Not." Another man held up one saying "Veterans for Peace."



Several police officers and police vehicles were on hand to make sure the protest went smoothly. They blocked off the center lane of the road in front of The News-Times building for the one-hour demonstration.



Lt. Brian Merrick said police were there only as a precaution.



"They just wanted to make sure there were no problems," Merrick said.



There were very few pedestrians using the sidewalks Saturday morning, so the people demonstrating held signs mostly for the benefit of passing motorists. Occasionally, a motorist would stop and ask a question, honk or give a thumbs up.



Regarding the protest, News-Times Managing Editor for News Jacky Smith said, "We support their right to free speech and we stand by our coverage."






Contact Karen Ali


at kali@newstimes.com



or (203) 731-3341.




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Bill Tibbe