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Title: Minuteman rally brings out intense passions
Source:
Sierra Vista Herald
URL Source: http://www.svherald.com/articles/2005/07/02/local_news/news1.txt
Published: Jul 2, 2005
Author: Bill Hess
Post Date: 2005-07-03 00:03:26 by Mr Nuke Buzzcut
Ping List: *The Border*
Keywords: Minuteman, passions, intense
Views: 51
Comments: 4
Minuteman rally brings out intense passions by Bill Hess PHOENIX - If anything could symbolize the tensions about border issues in Arizona, it was a line of police officers separating a man carrying the Mexican national banner from those who held high American flags on the capitol grounds. On Friday, organizers and supporters of the Minuteman program held a rally, loudly touting their success in April when they brought volunteers to Cochise County, declaring the movement is growing throughout the nation and challenging politicians to either get aboard the fast moving train of people wanting the borders secured or face defeat in next year's elections. But counter demonstrators were equally vocal, using words, drums and whistles in an attempt to drown out the Minuteman rally, calling the group and its supporters racists. There was anger simmering between the two groups long before Andy Hernandez walked up with a Mexican flag. That led 76-year-old Patrick Walsh to motor over to Hernandez in his scooter to ask him why he was carrying the flag of Mexico, questioning where the man's loyalty stood. Hernandez, who calls himself a "Chicano nationalist," said he is a citizen of the United States, but because of the ill-treatment of Hispanics, "I'll go anywhere in the world to protect them." Throughout U.S. history Hispanics have suffered discrimination, he added. What people who live in the United States don't realize is that there is a growing number of Hispanics who are fed up with racist policies aimed at them, Hernandez said. "You're lucky we don't fight against you like the Iraqis are fighting against you," he yelled at Minuteman rally supporters. But, there were some Hispanics who supported the Minuteman program. Marie Conlea said she is first and foremost an American, not a Mexican. Al Rodriguez, a retired Army colonel and native of Douglas, said those who want to help the needy Mexicans who are fleeing their country for a better life should go after the Mexican federal government, including its president, because Mexico is an example of socialism gone wrong and is heavily corrupt. Looking at the Mexican flag carried by Hernandez, the World War II and Vietnam combat veteran was dismissive saying "my flag is the American flag, I'm proud to call myself an American." The words of Conlea and Rodriguez were greeted by loud cheers from those supporting the Minuteman program and equally as noisy "boos" from the counter demonstrators. There were some "boos" from the Minuteman crowd, when Rodriguez mentioned three names - U.S. Sen. John McCain, and U.S. Representatives Jim Kolbe and Jeff Flake. Hoping to knock Kolbe off in the 2006 Republican primary is Randy Graf, who attempted to win the party's nomination in 2004. Speaking at the rally, Graf said controlling the border is a must and the key issue for him. "I'm going to go to Washington, D.C. and get the job done for you," he said. Also speaking were Jim Gilchrist and Chris Simcox, who organized the April event and now are out doing other organizing. When Gilchrist began to speak, a rally protester told him to go back to California. Gilchrist responded he had more of a right to be in Arizona than illegal immigrants, a line that drew applause. To him, those who are in opposition to the Minuteman program are communists. The anti-rally demonstrators contend the Minuteman program is a fascist group. Gilchrist said he is tired of the ineptness of politicians. "It's a sad day in America, lawmakers siding with lawbreakers against law-abiding Americans," he said. Those piloting the plane of state have to be changed, and that will only be done by the passengers, the American people taking over the cockpit, Gilchrist said. Simcox promised a continued effort in building support so that not only politicians will get the message but those who support the actions of illegal immigrants will too. The rally began with a prayer, which was almost drowned out by the counter demonstrators. When a young boy began to lead the rally supporters in singing the national anthem, some of the rally protesters booed. Surprisingly those who booed where whites, supporting the counter demonstration. However, when the national anthem was sung, two Hispanic teens in the anti-rally protest group removed their hats and placed them over their hearts, as they too sang. David Rubi said the issue is too heated and it is hard to find logical discourse between the different views. A college professor, he tried to keep the lid on emotions in the counter demonstration group. What those who are supporting the Minuteman program do not understand is America's history, where different immigrant groups were made scapegoats, Rubi said. The words of today's Minuteman supporters are similar to those used by the Confederates, the Ku Klux Klan and the Know Nothing Party, to support their views, he said. Everybody agrees workers are needed, but Congress has been remiss in addressing the issue and that has led to the flow of immigrants crossing the border illegally to heat up, Rubi said. By time the rally, which drew slightly more than 200 supporters, began and the counter demonstration started with nearly 50 protesters, it was hot - Phoenix's temperature was well into the 100s. By the time law enforcement and media representatives were added to the count, more than 300 people wandered around the capitol grounds. What was interesting during the rally and counter demonstration was that the large-winged woman weather vane on the capitol's dome prophetically had her back to the crowd below. Equally prophetic was that south of the police line was where the man who carried the Mexican flag was kept, while north of the line was where the American flags were held. An elderly man, a supporter of the Minuteman program, approached a Hispanic teen, who was part of the counter demonstration. The man asked the teen if he spoke English. Politely, the teen said yes, and than asked the man if he spoke Spanish. The man walked off without answering.
Saturday, July 2, 2005 2:17 PM MDT
Herald/Review
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#1. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#0)
Diversity is our strength!!
"I've coined new words, like, "misunderstanding" and "Hispanically"." - GW Bush
[Nuked]
"The tree of Liberty must from time to time be refreshed by the blood of patriots and Tyrants. It is its natural manure." -- Thomas Jefferson
The good news is that they may be defeated because of the Rove issue and Bush is not doing too well of late.. gee those pesky Downing Street memos.. I think the jig is up on the neocons.. good thing most have dual citizenship..
"I've coined new words, like, "misunderstanding" and "Hispanically"." - GW Bush
It's time, Claire.
Hernandez, who calls himself a "Chicano nationalist," said he is a citizen of the United States, but because of the ill-treatment of Hispanics, "I'll go anywhere in the world to protect them."
#2. To: Zipporah (#1)
#3. To: toddbrendanfahey (#2)
#4. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#0)
Those piloting the plane of state have to be changed, and that will only be done by the passengers, the American people taking over the cockpit, Gilchrist said.
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