Vol. 71/No. 30      August 20, 2007

The rightist ProAmerica Society chose Morristown for its rally because it is one of the first cities to request the federal government deputize local police as immigration cops.

Despite the anti-immigrant outfit’s claim that its rally would draw 1,000 people, only 150 showed up. They held signs including “Illegals have no rights,” “Deport all illegals now,” “Immigration yes, reconquista no,” and “Stop the invasion now.”

Miguel Cruz, from the anti-immigrant Latino group You Don’t Speak for Me, blamed undocumented immigrants for drug smuggling, murders, rapes, and drunk driving. Other speakers said illegal immigrants were diluting “American culture.”

“I will never accept English as a second language,” said Daniel Smeriglio from Voice of the People USA in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. The previous day, an anti-immigrant ordinance in Hazleton was overturned by a federal judge.

The keynote speaker at the anti-immigrant rally, Morristown mayor Donald Cresitello, called on the immigration cops to step up arrests and deportations of immigrant workers, calling for “additional personnel to visit job sites and arrest illegal immigrants.”

The right-wing action was countered by 150 immigrants and their supporters across the street, separated by a cordon of more than 100 police in riot gear. A Peace Vigil for Human Rights, held simultaneously at a nearby church, drew another 150.

Luis Antúñez, 28, said that he came to the counterdemonstration “to show the mayor and the city that he cannot organize against us. To show them that we are trying to work here and get ahead. And to show that we have a voice.”

A number of people came from outside New Jersey to register their opposition to the right-wing forces. Angela Lampe of Massapequa, New York, told the crowd, “They say they’re pro-American. Well, I‘m Central American, which means I‘m an American too.”

Leaders of community and religious groups opposed to Morristown‘s anti-immigrant ordinance addressed the vigil. Allyson Gall, New Jersey area executive director of the American Jewish Committee, said, “We have a right to keep out those who want to do harm to the United States. But you who are here are good for Morristown.”

Also speaking was Edward Beck, Socialist Workers candidate for New Jersey General Assembly in the 29th district. “‘We‘re workers, not criminals.’ That was a statement echoed the last two May Days,” said Beck. “The Socialist Workers campaign joins workers in Morristown and elsewhere throughout the entire country calling for an end to the raids and deportations, and for legalization now!”
 
 
Related articles:
Court overturns anti-immigrant law in Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Illinois ‘migra’ law sparks protest
Immigration agents arrest hundreds in Texas raids
Workers pack Virginia meetings protesting immigration crackdown  
 
 
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