Protestors around the country marched in opposition to, not only Arizona's SB1070, but immigration laws around the country. Atlanta, Georgia was no different. Georgia's SB529 spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R) and co-sponsored by 28 other Senators has put Georgia in the crosshairs of illegal immigration advocates across the country.
Today's rally was co-sponsored jointly by GALEO (Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials) and GLAHR (Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights) and held on the steps of the Georgia Capitol. With approximately 2,000 in attendance, the rally paled in comparison to the Tax Day Tea Party rally held in April 2009 in which over 15,000 were in attendance, also on the steps of the Georgia Capitol.
The rally was conducted in Spanish 90% of the time. The rare moments when English was spoken was to yell, "Yes we can" and when a black reverend, known for supporting illegal immigration, was praying with the crowd.
There were signs demanding an end to the very successful 287g program on the heels of ICE's Operation Cross Check where almost 600 illegal aliens were arrested. 232 of those were in Georgia with 50 in Atlanta. Other signs objected to Arizona's new illegal immigration (SB1070) law. However, candidate for Georgia governor, Nathan Deal, an ardent opponent of illegal immigration, stated he would implement a law similar to Arizona's should he become governor.
Mr. King of the Dustin Inman Society issued a press release advising pro-enforcement supporters to avoid the area and not conduct a counter rally. This was to protect the safety of all. In an interview with WSB-TV, Mr. King stated that the US should enforce its immigration laws as vehemently as Mexico enforces theirs.
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Comments
"Illegal immigration advocates"? Since when is advocating for a change in the law the same as advocating that people break said law? Thanks for the mischaracterization there, buddy.
I was there, and as a native English-speaking U.S. citizen, it made no difference to me language was spoken. The message and the spirit of the rally was the same. Did you somehow count the words that were spoken and calculated 90% Spanish, or are you just putting that out there to scare and provoke the more xenophobic of your monolingual English readership? Besides that, I was able to reinforce some of the Spanish that I learned in school thanks to the rally. Learning from people who speak a different language than you do - isn't that something?
Oh, and apparently people like you should avoid an area where people are praying and holding hands in solidarity and brotherhood. You know, because it's dangerous.
3) EVEN TODAY THERE ARE HUGE OPEN AREAS, WITH NOTHING TO STOP ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT, DRUG SMUGGLERS OR TERRORISTS, BUT RUSTY BARBED WARE FENCING? IT"S BEEN ONE SWEET LIE BY WASHINGTON.
By one estimate each year between 400,000 and 1 million illegal immigrants try to slip across the rivers and deserts on the 2,000-mile (3,200-km) US-Mexico border. In 2005 over 1.2 million foreign nationals were apprehended by the Border Patrol. By one estimate the Border Patrol catches 1 out of every 10 illegal border crossers, but the officials prefer to remain silent on the subject in discussing the problem. Tuscon unofficial Border Patrol statistics are that only 1 in 10 illegal aliens are apprehended and arrested. By another estimate over 155,000 non-Mexican individuals were apprehended trying to enter the United States along the Southwest border in fiscal year 2005. The figure of illegal aliens is now between 20 and 30 million.
Do these illegals not understand that they have and are breaking the laws of OUR country? They have no desire to assimilate into the USA, but rather want to bring their cultures and language to this country. That isn't American!! It is not their God given right to be here illegally.
"Lotha", some how I think you've missed the main point of all of this. Illegal is illegal. Our laws are being broken by the vast numbers of illegal immigrants, not to mention breaking our healthcare, education, and police systems. You need to remove your rose colored glasses and learn the facts.
The U.S. is turning into a 3rd world non-English speaking Latino s/h/i/t/h/o/l/e.
"Illegal immigration advocates"? Since when is advocating for a change in the law the same as advocating that people break said law? Thanks for the mischaracterization there, buddy.
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When the people you're "advocating" for are ALREADY breaking the law and plan to continue to do so if they don't get what they want, then you're advocating that people break the law. When the change you advocate for would absolve them of consequences for breaking the law, you're saying that breaking the law doesn't matter.
Rights? Rights? You have the right to be deported. You have the right to a baloni sandwich and a bottle of water on your bus ride south.
You want rights? protest in your own corrupt country.
But I read that it was over 5,000 people according to local news? Also, all the signs are in English...And it was a peaceful demonstration. I don't see what the big deal is.
maybe this was erly in the day because yea fox said it was over 5000
But Ms. Inger, from your video it looked okay. Seems like nothing got out of hand. Also, there were children there. I doubt anything would happen if children were there. With all due respect, your video and article contradict each other.
@Lotha: this is not about racism or xenophobia but a respect for those who abide by the US laws to enter the country legally.
Communication is key. If the protestors seek others to support their cause the first order of business is to use the language others understand.
Your premise through the use of the phrase "people like you" is as stunningly weak as it is tiresome and overused. You assume that those who advocate for enforcement of our immigration laws do not pray. You used the same thinking patterns to assume all illegal aliens are Latino. By the way, illegal is not a race.
Ms. Inger but in your article and in your past writings you are assuming that all illegal immigrants are Latino. I think you should stop contradicting yourself you are looking for credibility.
@Greg: There was not any violence at the rally. If you gathered that from the article, that certainly was not the intention.
But you and Mr. King were warning people not to come because it could be dangerous. Didn't look dangerous to me. As a side note, I also don't like how you put "a black reverend" was singing or a "black reverend" was praying to the crowd. I tired of all this race stuff. It gets old. Again, you are losing your own credibility as a writer.
I think the art of good journalism is presenting facts and letting people make their minds for themselves. I'm new to Georgia and I'm looking to get a hold on what's going on here but your work seems very biased and self interested.
Greg you sound like an idiot. Why don't you shut-up if you have nothing useful to say.
Roberto, thank you for your "constructive" comment. I think you just made yourself look pretty foolish. I'm waiting for a response from Ms. Inger, something constructive. I believe comments spaces are to be used for relevant comments pertaining to the article and to the writer not a personal insult like yours. That is petty.
@Greg: None of my articles assume Latinos are illegal; illegal is not a race. I ask you what part of the article is not true?
Ms. Inger, I didn't say anything about you suggesting that "illegal" is a race. I don't see how you gathered that from any of my comments. My concern is the contradiction between your article and your video. You write that Mr. King advised people not to go the rally because it was "dangerous" from your video and from what I saw on the local news, I didn't see anything that seems unruly or hazardous to public safety. Also, as I wrote before, you wrote to Lotha that not all illegal immigrants are Latino, well, from your past articles, all you write about are Latino illegal immigrants. Again, I also don't like how you put "a black reverend" was singing or a "black reverend" was praying to the crowd. I tired of all this race stuff. It gets old. I am new to Georgia and I'm noticing how when people don't like something they just act out angry and write in a biased manner to advance their own agenda. I'm trying to figure out who to follow and all I sense is self interest.
@Greg: None of my articles assume Latinos are illegal; illegal is not a race. I ask you what part of the article is not true?
Ms. Inger, why do you REFUSE to address my concerns? You are just repeating yourself without giving me, your reader, any consideration. If the most intelligent response you can give is "illegal is not a race" to address my concerns (that have nothing to do with categorizing illegal as a race) then you how do you expect to be recognized as a good writer? Please address my concerns.
@Greg: 1) I invite you to subscribe and read my other articles as they do not identify illegal aliens as being of any race. 2) The identification of a "black reverend known for supporting illegal aliens" was used to show that he spoke English throughout his entire presentation.
I invite you to present information to counteract the facts I have presented about the illegal immigration debate.
greg, ive read all of your comments and you are right. eberhart is not answering your questions. i read what the ajc covered about this and it didn't mention anything about being a protest that got out of hand. also, it wasn't 2,000. i read it was more than that. while i do not support illegal immigration, i don't see the point in messing up facts to make a certain group of people look like scary people who are here to mess everything up. that's just wrong. this article is crappy.
The AJC devoted 15/384 words and 2 pictures to the entire five-hour event in Atlanta. Additionally, the AJC rarely provides balance to the illegal immigration discourse. Its article about this event did not provide insight into the pro-enforcement side of the debate.
No one was "made to look scary" as you say. Just a few days earlier, 232 illegal aliens were arrested in Georgia during an ICE sweep & footage from myfoxphoenix.com shows that rallies can get out of hand.
I just want to say something no matter what number it is, that everyone handles it at will and at their own discretion but on something if I do not agree with anyone being black or white race to be on is that Equality is understood that all come from the same site. Racial profiling should not be tolerated, either in U.S. or anywhere in the world. We are going back to before
From Jane says:
The U.S. is turning into a 3rd world non-English speaking Latino s/h/i/t/h/o/l/e.
---- AMEN Sister!!!
From the comments section of this article:
news.yahoo[dotcom]/s/ynews/20100427/ts_ynews/ynews_ts1812
I work construction and went into a portable toliet and someone wrote
" For a satellite view of Mexico lift the lid "
Greg, I believe this may answer your concern. Mr. King issued a press release warning pro-enforcement supporters to stay away because of the possible dangerous nature of the rally - as stated. Other pro-legal immigrant and pro-enforcement groups did the same nationally - all in response to the recent escalation of violence surrounding the new Arizona law, the shooting of a sheriff deputy in Pinal Co. and rancher Robert Krent and statements by some that they will use their axes and shovels against Americans. There is much anger on both sides and so a call was made to direct counter protesters away from May Day rallies - nationally, not just in GA. Which of course is probably why there was little if any violence in the video. Hope this clarifies the matter.
Many of these people want amnesty, not "reformation." Illegal border crossing is a CRIME, plain and simple!!! It's not racial profiling, it's criminal profiling. I am a white U.S. citizen and my wife LEGALLY immigrated here from South America. We took the time, effort, and paid the fees for her to LEGALLY enter the United States. Is it fair that illegals are here without having to do the same? Do they feel that they are entitled to permanent residency/citizenship without having to follow standard procedure? Above the law, perhaps? Ridiculous. However, I am sure that the protesters would "racially profile" me as a racist and my wife as not supporting her latino community. It's a shame, really. Illegals have no rights here or in any other country.
No Cali Girl. It's not a matter of 'little or no violence' in the video. There is no violence. I invite you to read Ms. Inger's comments in response to myself and others. Her responses are just as absurd as her article. "A black reverend to show that he spoke English.." ??? Come on! Let's show Ms. Inger that we are intelligent enough not to fall for such claims that are insulting to any reader's intelligence. I guess I'll keep searching for credible writers in Georgia where I can stay informed on the illegal immigration debate.
Eddie, you ought to read what Ms. Inger said about why she identified that black reverend as such--because he spoke English! How ridiculous. Don't waste your time here; she lacks an factual information. Where can I find good information on illegal immigration and it's effects in Georgia? From the short time I've been in Georgia, I can already tell Ms. Inger and Mr. King just engage in lies and self-interest. Not presenting facts.
Greg, I couldn't agree with you more....
Check out 2 organizations, one is called GLAHR and the other is called GALEO.... I recently became introduced to GLAHR because they organized the event... What this Lady forgot to mention is that GLAHR had a really well organized march, it was incredible to see the GLAHR organization working their own security by making sure it stayed peaceful, not only this!!!! I counted at least 20 times, that a volunteer wearing a Yellow Shirt would come up beside me with a huge "trash-bag" asking me, if I had any trash to throw away.... I was very impressed with the way this March was done, and I cannot wait for the next one.... hopefully it is soon...
Lastly, in regards to the argument of "laws" and labeling any individual who crosses the border a "criminal" ... That is no different from when in the Civil Rights Movement, a person with a darker skin complexion wasn't able to sit in front of the bus...there was a law against that, luckily we had people see that it "just wasn't a right law"...
Ms. Inger, from the looks of your physic... maybe what you're going through is called the "Freshman to Senior Ratio"... You ever heard of that? When a Freshman enters school he's picked on by a Senior, when that Freshman enters its Senior year they pick on the Freshmen... your ancestors were once Freshman in the school of Human Rights, but now that you've attained a Senior level in the school of Human Rights, you feel you must now pick on the new Freshman...
Thank you Eddie for your recommendation. I'm not pro illegal immigration, I'm for enforcing laws but not the crazy laws that Arizona came up with. I'll have to read more about these two organizations. Although, I did see that galaeo did post good articles from credible sources like washington post and nytimes on their webpage. Ms. Inger has truly been a disappointment. Also, Eddie, I saw that some of your comments were taken off? Did Ms. Inger delete your comments? What ever happened to freedom of speech? I guess when the truth goes against your self-interest, you try to hide it, right Ms. Inger?
Wow... I know that I was just talking about illegals that cross the border. That's quite the jump to compare the current Federal Immigration laws to the unjust laws present during the Civil Rights Movement...
As far as lumping everyone into the same category of "darker skin complexion..." It's pretty clear that people don't understand that there aren't just Mexicans crossing the southern border. White Argentineans, Black Panamanians, Chinese Peruvians are just a few examples of the broad gamut of skin complexions throughout Central and South America (the Spanish Conquistadors were white Europeans, after all.) Racial profiling doesn't really work when you're talking about illegal immigration. It's simply criminal profiling because it's a CRIME... no matter your color.
There are no excuses or reasons justify a fast track into this county when so many have had the patience, spent their time and money, and abided by Federal Immigration law to come here LEGALLY.
@greg, eddie poloche, and the other pro-criminal activists:
Firstly, the correct address is Ms. Eberhart. Traditionally in America, a person's surname follows a title of respect, such as Ms. Only recently has it been considered acceptable to teach children to address people using their given name after a title. Personally, I find it sloppy and teach my children the proper use of a title and name. As an example, Mr. Harris would be an appropriate way to address me while Mr. D.L. would be inappropriate. I suspect, given your improper use of the title, that you are quite young.
To the point: I find it painfully obvious that Ms. Eberhart's report of what Mr. King said was intended to prevent POTENTIAL violence. No where does her article state the pro-criminal rally was dangerous. Mr. King's comment warns of POTENTIAL danger IF anti-criminal protesters showed up at the event. Mr. King's warning shows a shred of wisdom and it makes sense for Ms. Eberhart to mention his comment while describing the event in which Mr. King was specifically referring.
That was, unfortunately, a weak attempt at spinning the tone of the article and I sincerely hope you put more effort into it in the future.
In regards to the "back of the bus argument," I can only say how sorrowful it is that you would continue to push segregation by bringing up past transgressions that have already been corrected. Continuing to do so only continues to promote the racism many of us are trying to overcome. I will say this, however: If allowing black people to sit at the front of the bus prohibited legal citizens from obtaining employment, overpopulated our schools to the point of bankruptcy, and placed extreme limitations on our public services I would have agreed with it.
The civil rights movement was about ensuring basic civil rights are available to everyone regardless of race. Unfortunately, the civil rights movement has been misused as a means of elevating one race over another. It had and has absolutely nothing to do with nationality. It would be wise to invest your time in educating yourself about the precarious history of this nation before you attempt to damage the racial unity and harmony of our citizens.
Have a nice day.
CORRECTION:
"If allowing black people to sit at the front of the bus prohibited legal citizens from obtaining employment, overpopulated our schools to the point of bankruptcy, and placed extreme limitations on our public services I would have agreed with it."
Should read, "...I would not have agreed with it."
Shoot all of them!
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