Demonstrators [from BOTH sides] protest outside Bush immigration speech in Irvine [CA]

Associated Press, via The [Riverside] Press-Enterprise ^ | April 24, 2006 | GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press

[RonDog]

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Demonstrators protest outside Bush immigration speech in Irvine

By GILLIAN FLACCUS

The Associated Press

IRVINE

Several hundred demonstrators from both sides of the immigration issue protested outside President Bush's speech Monday at an Orange County hotel.

With Congress returning from a two-week recess, the speech let Bush relaunch his proposal for a temporary guest worker program. It also gave a venue for protesters in a region where the immigration debate has become increasingly heated.

More than an hour before Bush arrived, protesters from the Minuteman Project the volunteer border patrol group whose co-founder ran for Congress in Orange County were chanting "Go back to Mexico" and "God Bless America."

Across a driveway, a cluster of demonstrators also chanted and waved peace signs to protest the Minuteman group, Bush's immigration policy and the war in Iraq. In all, there were about 250 protesters, split evenly between both sides.

The protest outside the Hyatt Regency Irvine illustrated a political divide in Washington, D.C., where lawmakers remain far apart on whether to crack down on illegal immigrants or embrace them as vital parts of the U.S. economy.

Bush, speaking to the Orange County Business Council at an invitation-only event, said he wants a law that will strengthen border security while giving temporary guest worker permits to illegal immigrants in low-paying jobs.

"It seems rational to me and logical to me to say, 'OK, fine, you can come and do a job Americans won't do for a temporary period of time with a tamperproof card,'" Bush said.

Barbara Coe, founder and chairwoman of the group California Coalition for Immigration Reform, was among demonstrators mingling with members of the Minuteman Project.

"Bush is a traitor to this country," Coe said. "I am terrified for the future of my country and my children. It is our hope that this treacherous amnesty bill will be defeated and our further hope that our borders will be secured and the lives of our people protected."

Ron Weller, 61, a retired warehouse worker from La Habra, said he voted for Bush in 2000 but voted Independent in 2004 because he wants a border fence.

"If a fence doesn't work then why does Bush have one around the White House?" Weller asked.

Nearby, anti-Minuteman demonstrators chanted "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us."

Jim Luna, 40, a legal immigrant who came to the U.S. from Guatemala at 5, said he opposed Bush's policies and believes illegal immigrants are pawns for American corporations.

"They want the cheap labor and Mexico encourages it because they are getting money from all the illegals who send money back," Luna said.

Fellow protesters hoisted peace signs and placards reading, "Bush, stop denying the truth" and "Impeach Bush."

Marya Bangee, 19, was one of about 20 Muslin students from the University of California, Irvine who came to protest the president.

"We believe that he's the executor of unjust wars overseas," Bangee said. "We believe all people should be treated equally and this nation is made of immigrants."

Published: Monday, April 24, 2006 10:19 PDT

[wolfcreek]

So many demands for one President!

[Garry Boldwater]

The phrase "a job that Americans won't do" really means "a job that Americans won't do after the wages have been suppressed and all benefits have been stripped by illegals infiltrating that job market"

There that is better. And I think we can all agree now.

[Garry Boldwater]

Why is it "we" want to import of nation of people we expect to only clean toilets and collect up dirty dishes the rest of their lives?

I don't know. And with the state of education in the US, we will have plenty of NATIVE dish washes ant toilet cleaners in the coming years. Many kids these days are getting an eduction setting them up for a sweet career as a Wal Mart greeter, so we should think long and hard about what kinds of jobs Americans will or will not do in the coming decades before we keep importing more uneducated people. We are doing a fine job of creating our own uneducated underclass, thank you very much.

[Democratshavenobrains]

This shows that compromising earns Bush no support. He should just pick the hard right side and stay on it.

[RonDog]

...Marya Bangee, 19, was one of about 20 Muslin students from the University of California, Irvine who came to protest the president...

Muslin?

UCI apparently has a REALLY "diverse" student body!

[AmericanChef]

-"If a fence doesn't work then why does Bush have one around the White House?" Weller asked.-

I was wondering that very same thing.

[Pelham]

There's plenty to go around.

[RonDog]

Indexing RELATED threads:

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Demonstrators [from BOTH sides] protest outside Bush immigration speech in Irvine [CA]
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	Posted by LouAvul On News/Activism 04/24/2006 10:33:02 AM PDT · 22 replies · 485+ views modbee ^ | 4/24/06 | gillian flaccus

[uncitizen]

Wait? I thought they liked the fact Bush wants illegals to get amnesty (guest worker)... is it just the fact they hate any and all things Bush? The DNC/Liberals are sooo f'n lost.

Yeah. But that was before they heard from their constituents immediately after the protests.

[RonDog]

See also THIS wonderful "after-action" report:

Bush In Irvine Report and Lots Of Pictures
4/25/06
Posted on 04/24/2006 9:25:13 PM PDT by Ladycalif

Giving an Interview

CLICK HERE for the rest of that thread

[calcowgirl]

Thanks. I thought I'd cross reference the threads to his speech, as well:

Bush Speech in Irvine - Live
Posted by DumpsterDiver
On News/Activism 04/24/2006 9:23:15 AM PDT • 809 replies • 7,670+ views
KFMB Radio ^ | April 24, 2006 | n/a

Transcript: President Discusses Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Posted by Dr. Marten
On News/Activism 04/24/2006 1:36:56 PM PDT • 167 replies • 2,102+ views
Reuters ^ | 4.24.06 | Tabassum Zakaria

[RonDog]

Great idea!

[Admin Moderator]

Drop the tagline!

[StoneColdGOP]

"Bush is a traitor to this country,"

Amen.