Posted on 06/21/2005 8:21:26 AM PDT by Happy2BMe
(GOLIAD, TEXAS) -- There was no shortage of volunteers last night as the controversial Minuteman civilian border patrol organization gathered in this historic south Texas town to organize anti illegal immigrant activities in Texas.
Many volunteers said illegal immigration needs to be stopped, and since the federal government is unable or unwilling to do it, then its up to civilians to step in and get it done.
"Our children can't get out into our yards," rancher and Texas Minuteman leader Bill Parmley told the group. "We're afraid. Something has to be done."
The location of the meeting in Goliad was significant. The city was the home of many of the volunteers who died fighting the Mexican army at the Alamo in 1836. The unit which delivered a cannon the Alamo along with a flag that carried the defiant message 'come and take it.'
Many volunteers complained that their lives have been 'turned upside down' by the surge in illegal immigration. They told of having illegals kicking down doors, damaging their property, and stealing livestock.
And there was a lot of frustration with what the volunteers perceived to be the federal government's inaction on the problem.
"We have met with our senators, we have sent letters to President Bush, we have gone all the way to Washington, and still no response," Parmley told 1200 WOAI's Charity McCurdy. "All we're doing is what President bush asked us to do after 9-11, to be observant citizens and look for suspicious activity and call it in. That's all we're doing."
But several civil rights leaders at the rally said the Minutemen go a lot further than that. Che Lopez compared the volunteers at last night's rally to the Ku Klux Klan.
"Just basically racially profiling people. Pulling them out of their cars. Intimidating them."
Minutemen organizer Chris Simcox said he plans to have four chapters of the group patrolling the Texas-Mexico border in October. A Minuteman action in Arizona in April had mixed results.
"We are here at the invitation of Texans," Simcox said. "Over 7,000 requests from citizens of Texans who are fed up with President Bush, and are growing weary of the situation we have on our borders."
But not all Texans are excited about the presence of the Minutemen in Texas, and one of them is Senator John Cornyn, who this weekend introduced a measure calling for comprehensive changes in border security, and the hiring of 10,000 additional sworn officers of the U.S. Border Patrol.
"I don't think that it is in the best interests of the country to have untrained people, who not withstanding their best of intentions, might find themselves involved in violent and unexpected situations along our border," Cornyn said, adding that he understands the 'frustrations' of the Minutemen and their supporters.
"I recognize that citizens think it has fallen to them in the absence of the federal government living up to its responsibilities to provide that security along our border."
But last night in Golaid, volunteers weren't interested in Senate resolutions or debates on international migration. They are increasingly frustrated with that they see as a growing threat to their lives and the security of the United States, and they want action.
"I don't think that the federal government has the ability to take care of it," one volunteer said. "I think they need help, and I'm ready to help."
What a guy!
Ask the paper: they printed the allegation but didn't ask for proof.
As for Lopez, he might be with the Southwest Workers Union, described here as taking part in an open borders march:
http://sneej.org/news03fall.htm
I think The Reason is becoming more clear.
Way to go Texans!! Give *em hell.
Welcome Texas Minutemen!
If Uncle Sugar don't handle em at the border , I'll handle em at the porch.........
BTW....I'd put more faith in a dozen retired LEO and Military "wannabes" over 200 current Troops / LEO's practicing warfare or law with PC in mind any day ......political correctness will be the end of this nation .................just my opinion of course.
Are they taking any sort of donations? I'd love to send something.
BTTT Ping!
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Minutemen Patriots ~ Bump!
To be fair, he made that comment before the Minuteman operation began, and a lot of us didn't know how they planned to operate. It certainly wasn't known that the ground rules included no physical contact.
I don't think he'd make the same comment today. It turns out that the Minuteman Project (with one stupid exception by a guy who was kicked out) is equivalent to the Neighborhood Watch, except it's on the border.
America is IMPORTING it's next REVOLUTION.
BTTT
Are there any instances of someone shooting an illegal invading someone's home?
The white house has consistently refused to retract that statement.
From your link above, I got a chuckle out of this: :-)
The group has rankled civil rights organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union and the South Texas Civil Rights project.
Good!! That just makes my day! :-)
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