🚀 go-pugleaf

-------- Original Message --------
From: "Steven L. Robinson" <srobin21@comcast.net>
Subject: [progchat_action] Hundreds protest Chicago Minutemen meeting

Hundreds protest Chicago Minutemen Project meeting

Associated Press Posted on Sun, Oct. 16, 2005

<http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/news/local/12919523.htm>

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Hundreds of protesters turned up at the
inaugural meeting of a Chicago-area citizens' group whose members
believe the government isn't doing enough to halt illegal immigration.

Some of the protesters were arrested after a confrontation with
police outside the Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights,
where members of the Chicago Minuteman Project gathered Saturday.

The confrontation prompted officers at the scene to call for
assistance from several neighboring police departments, which quickly
brought about 150 officers clad in riot gear to the scene.

The Minutemen, affiliated with a national volunteer civilian border
patrol group, have recently staged patrols in U.S. border states
to stem illegal immigration. The group has sparked national
controversy, viewed by some as courageous and others as racist
vigilantes.

Several Minutemen did not attend the meeting because they feared
for their safety, said Rosanna Pulido, co-founder of the Chicago
group.

"It's disappointing that people here could not exercise their First
Amendment rights," she said.

The arrests were made Saturday after a small group of protesters
blocked the school's entrance and threw bottles and other objects
at police, Arlington Heights Police Sgt. Robert Murray said.

Five people were charged with resisting arrest and battery, both
misdemeanors. All were released from custody after posting $100
bail.

One of those arrested said her actions were justified.

"Five people were arrested in a deliberate attempt to protest these
people planning to hunt and trap immigrants," said Kara K. Norlander,
23.

Speakers at the meeting said illegal immigration was a security
threat that threatened the U.S. economy and the rights of legal
immigrants.

The Rev. Keith Butler, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate from
Michigan, told the group that both political parties were not doing
enough to enforce immigration law.

"By not securing our borders, we are putting our wives and children
at risk," Butler said.

After his speech, Butler had to hop over a railing to get to his
car because protesters had blocked the stairs.