1,000 expected at
Morristown immigration rallies
Gatherings will give
voice to those holding different views
BY MINHAJ HASSAN,
DAILY RECORD, July 25, 2007
MORRISTOWN -- Three high-noon rallies scheduled at
different places in town on Saturday could attract more than
1,000 people with divergent views on handling illegal
immigration.
Robb Pearson, founder of the ProAmerica Society, is holding a
rally behind town hall on South Street to urge enforcement of
immigration laws. He said members of organizations from other
states are spreading the word, and he expects a minimum of 200
people, but as many as 1,000. Indications are that the event
will be "very well attended," he said.
Despite the large crowds that are anticipated, Police Chief
Peter Demnitz does not anticipate any street closings.
Pair of alternatives
Another event at which immigrants' plight is to be
highlighted is being organized by the town immigration resource
center, Wind of the Spirit. Its organizer said she doesn't
expect a huge turnout at the prayer vigil at St. Margaret's
Church on Sussex Avenue, but hopes attendees will get a positive
message.
"Most people are working at that time," said Wind of the
Spirit leader Diana Mejia about the prayer vigil time, which
also runs from noon to 2 p.m.
The vigil is strongly supported by the Latin American Legal
Defense Fund.
A second pro-immigrant event also is scheduled to take place
opposite the ProAmerica Society rally. Details are still
being worked out, Mejia said.
Mejia said the group is compiling a list of church officials
who are expected to attend the prayer vigil. The list
still was being made as of Tuesday.
"This issue is not just about the immigrants. It is
about the community of Morristown," she said.
Mayor to speak
At the ProAmerica Society event, there will be eight
speakers, including Mayor Donald Cresitello. Cresitello has sent
a letter to the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration
and Customs Enforcement division, hoping to get 10 local police
officers deputized as immigration agents, under the federal
287-G program.
The officers would be given access to a database to inquire
about the individuals' immigration status and start deportation
proceedings on illegal immigrants.
Another person scheduled to speak is David Marlett, a lawyer
from Dallas and founder of ProAmerica Companies, an organization
that promotes companies that refuse to hire illegal aliens.
"We're not bashing people," Marlett said of the rally's
intent. "Our main objective is to get people and companies
to follow the law. We are a nation of laws, and if we
don't follow them, we have nothing."
Marlett said it's time for companies to stop hiring illegal
aliens.
"You can't hire and exploit them," he said. "We have
got to stop supporting companies who are modern-day slave
owners."
Also scheduled to speak, Pearson said, is Peter Gadiel of the
group 9/11 Families for Secure America. Gadiel lost his
son in the attack on the twin towers.
Pearson said most of those who e-mailed him requesting to
participate are "regular, ordinary folks."
"The event is a celebration for legal immigrants who are part
of society and follow the rules," he said.
Demnitz said there will be security at the event "to keep the
peace and assure the rights of all persons are protected."
One nasty e-mail
Since making public his intent to hold the rally, Pearson
said he received one derogatory e-mail in which he was called a
Nazi. However, Pearson dismissed it, calling it
"reactionary."
The groups that have promoted the rally include You Don't
Speak For Me, a Hispanic organization that promotes legal
immigration; the New Yorkers for Immigration Control and
Enforcement; New Jersey Citizens for Immigration Control; and
Voice of the People USA, based in Pennsylvania.
Pearson said he has heard rumors that some "less savory"
groups whose ideologies he doesn't share also may show up.
Still, despite the possible presence of fringe groups,
Pearson is optimistic about the rally becoming a positive event.
"I've been very happily surprised," he said of the
possibility of a large turnout. "It has all been word of
mouth and networking."
Minhaj Hassan can be reached at (973) 267-9038 or
