Day 5: Minuteman Caravan to D.C.... Rally in Arkansas

Waco Tribune-Herald ^ | May 7, 2007 | Tim Woods

[La Enchiladita]

“The American people are fed up with the hemorrhaging borders, and we want action now. We’re done talking, and we want action,” [Steven] Eichler said before the rally. “The American people just aren’t going to take it any longer. We’re tired of this invasion force occupying America. If you can’t come here legally, get the hell out.”

People from all over Texas and the nation were in attendance Saturday, with some coming from as far away as Montana to voice their support for immigration reform. Many said that they do not support amnesty for undocumented immigrants already here, and some said they are beginning to feel like outsiders in their own country.

The Minuteman Project is “a call to voices seeking a peaceful and respectable resolve to the chaotic neglect by members of our local, state and federal governments charged with applying U.S. immigration law,” according to its Web site. The group has more than 1,000 members, some of whom have taken to patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border.

[La Enchiladita]

Caravan Schedule
May 3rd - Los Angeles, CA
May 3rd - Phoenix, AZ
May 4th - Albuquerque, NM
May 5th - Abilene, TX
May 6th - Crawford, TX
*May 7th - Little Rock, AR (today)
May 8th - Memphis, TN
May 8th - Nashville, TN
May 9th - Birmingham, AL
May 9th - Atlanta, GA
May 10th - Greensboro, NC
May 11th - Richmond, VA
May 12th - Washington, D.C.

[stopem]

Thanks for the thread.

"The American people are fed up with the hemorrhaging borders, and we want action now. We’re done talking, and we want action,” [Steven] Eichler said before the rally. “The American people just aren’t going to take it any longer. We’re tired of this invasion force occupying America. If you can’t come here legally, get the hell out.”

"People from all over Texas and the nation were in attendance Saturday, with some coming from as far away as Montana to voice their support for immigration reform. Many said that they do not support amnesty for undocumented immigrants already here, and some said they are beginning to feel like outsiders in their own country.

Sounds like there was a nice size crowd there that should have been covered by CNN, FOX and MSNBC instead of always covering illegals.

[La Enchiladita]

You are so on it! You got here before I pinged you, bless your heart.

I also did some googling and found this story:

Link: Marchers Want Immigration Crackdown

There were patriots out marching yesterday on this issue in Fort Worth; who knows where else, since the stories get buried? We've got to get the word out somehow for FReepers to report the local events here...

[doug from upland]

Great work. I hope they have a big crowd tonight.

[doug from upland]

Unbelievable. Aztlan newsman Tony Valdez does not make an apology today on his show. Management had told viewers that he would.

[La Enchiladita]

Not at all. But, you know, any apology would have been so insincere anyway. He meant what he said!

[doug from upland]

It would have been indeed insincere, but it would have been nice to see management force him to do it.

[Ben Ficklin]

200 people attended.

[doug from upland]

Lyman is becoming famous. Google "Lyman Stucky"

Results 1 - 10 of about 14,800 for lyman stucky. (0.51 seconds)

[Liberty Valance]

New voice joins minuteman caravan

Outspoken O.C. Hispanic turns into key figure in Minuteman effort against illegal immigration.

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1132964.php

[La Enchiladita]

Report from the Road!

Just now getting a report from the Caravan pace car as our heroes head up to Arkansas for a rally tonight in Little Rock. It's a gorgeous day in Texas, as Lyman views "cattle, trees and huge open spaces" and hums "America the Beautiful," while pondering what people can do with free enterprise if and when left alone by government.

The Caravan just passed a semi truck, and this is how it was done: the pace car, which is in the rear, changes lanes clearing the lane for the other vehicles to move over.

The Caravan has enjoyed mostly good weather, which has resumed today. The overcast keeps them from getting too hot... and this weather has been an answer to prayers.

There is a very good chance that Lyman will be interviewed tonight on Terry Anderson's radio show.

The Crawford rally was the biggest one so far-- with at least 500 in attendance, and the Caravan was surprised by the number of media and TV cameras there. They found it "immensely pleasing and humbling" to meet the attendees at the rally.

So, heads up for the Little Rock rally tonight, 8:00p.m., on the steps of the State Capitol.

I wanted to ask more questions, but they had to pull into a gas stop.

[La Enchiladita]

Thanks for that... don't particularly care for the OC gal's style of reporting but they're not with the caravan anymore anyway.

Check out the article in post#3 also.

A shot of the Crawford rally:

[doug from upland]

Were you there?

[El Laton Caliente]

More pics posted over here:

http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/showthread.php?t=280146

One of our guys from www.gunsnet.net was there. He is trying to get his video uploaded now...

[El Laton Caliente]

More pics posted over here:

http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/showthread.php?t=280146

One of our guys from www.gunsnet.net was there. He is trying to get his video uploaded now...

[La Enchiladita]

I opened the link, but couldn't find the photos...

[La Enchiladita]

Never mind. I scrolled down and found the report... excellent.

[Ben Ficklin]

No, I read the article.

[ClaireSolt]

WOW. I am glad I read that. Some real colorful characters.

[doug from upland]

In this article, Peggy Lowe of the OC Register said there were 500 --- http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1132964.php

[stopem]

Hmmm looks like a good website to visit. Thanks for posting it.

[El Laton Caliente]

Glad you liked it! You might Privet Message "MachinistTX" over there. I think he wouldn't mind a repost of his pics here... or let me know and I'll ask.

[La Enchiladita]

Well, Lyman estimates the Crawford crowd was at least 500. Aside from that, I *heard* the crowd as I was on the phone with him during the rally and I can tell you they made a BIG noise.

Another note I skipped over in the last report, the Speaker from Americans for Zero Immigration, who is a Vietnam veteran, is asking for the National Guard to be placed on the border.

[ErnBatavia]

Not nearly as famous as our own:

Results 1 - 10 of about 384,000 for doug from upland. (0.48 seconds)

[La Enchiladita]

Sure, if you wouldn't mind asking, maybe we could re-print some of his report here as well as some photos...

[La Enchiladita]

The Terry Anderson Show

[Mrs. Darla Ruth Schwerin]

I send my prayers that the caravan gets even better media coverage in Little Rock. Come on, Arkansas***(mom, grandma and many other family members were born in Arkansas)...

[Ben Ficklin]

Take it up with someone else. I just followed the furnished link. After all, 200, 500, what's the difference?

[El Laton Caliente]

La Enchiladita,

He's PM'd, may take a while he is uploading vid's...

stopem,

I come here for hard news and in-depth commentary, but go there for the gun stuff and LIVELY discussion... ;) We don't toss liberal trolls over there, just hold a BBQ.

I'm the H&K91/G3/CETME Mod: http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=100&f=690
Your welcome to drop by...

[Supernatural]

Thanks for the news. The Minutemen (and women) ROCK!

[Czar]

Great report, Ench. Thanks for thinking of your cheering section.

God Bless the Minutemen...

[doug from upland]

Okay. I just thought you might have been there and had some on the scene info. Sorry I bothered you.

[stopem]

Thanks I will be stopping by. ;)

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you all for cheering on our heroes,

And now, here is a first-hand report from MachinistTX:

After my 3 hours of sleep last night, I arose at 6 am and left the house at 7 am. I made the 200 and something mile drive, got a few pics and a bunch of video--several I'm sure all of you will be interested in. ..All in all, I drove a little over 400 miles today, spent a fair amount of $$$, and came home with a renewed confidence in some of my fellow americans...

Oh, and there were several black americans there, along with several of mexican and or central american decent.

If the media actually chooses to give the event some air/press time--the rest of the country might hear the truth, and some very moving stories. The press was there, no telling what they will do with the pics/footage though......

I was somewhat disappointed that more people didn't show up..., but some people came in from Montana, Georgia, Kalifornia, and a few other states. That made me damn proud to have gone..to see that some people are actually dedicated to this.

Thank you, Machinist TX!
Although I have to wonder what has become of Texas when you see more baseball caps than cowboy hats! LOL.

[RonDog]

Well, Lyman estimates the Crawford crowd was at least 500...

See also, from the Houston Chronicle:

May 7, 2006, 9:39AM
500 protest immigrant 'invasion' in Crawford
Minutemen join a Latino group to show disfavor with current policy

By MATT STILES
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

CRAWFORD - Hundreds of people fed up with the country's immigration policies brought their arguments to President Bush's turf Saturday, rallying for reform not far from his ranch.

In an event dubbed "A Rumble at the Ranch," the crowd of about 500 braved stormy, soggy conditions to voice concerns and hear speakers arguing against what some called an "invasion" of illegal immigrants.

"In our hometowns, we feel the effect of illegal immigration," said Missy Stebbins of Killeen, a two-time Bush voter disaffected by his stance on the issue. "So we're bringing this to his hometown."

The Texas Minutemen and Latino Americans for Immigration Reform organized the event, approved in advance by police, which drew an eclectic crowd from across Texas and as far as California.

The diverse participants — men dressed in camouflage, elderly couples and teenage girls — listened to roughly 20 speakers, some of them third-party and independent candidates for political office around the state. The speeches urged that the borders be sealed now, illegal immigrants be deported quickly and reluctant politicians be thrown out of office.

The speakers were cheered when expressing frustration with current policies and the discussion in Washington, D.C., about allowing illegal immigrants to work toward citizenship or be allowed to remain as "guest workers."

Others decried the dangers of unsecured borders during an era of increased vigilance against terrorism. "All of the United States is feeling it," said Gayle Nyberg of Murrieta, Calif., who has spend the last several months traveling in a caravan along the southwestern border with Mexico.

She voted for President Bush in 2000, but now calls him a "traitor" who ought to be "impeached," though she concedes that's unlikely. "Our country is in crisis. Time is short. We all need to fight to band together to save our country," said Nyberg, who wore a black-and-white, early-American outfit.

There was no counterprotest or conflict. A handful of immigrant-rights activists held a press conference at the nearby Crawford Peace House, not far from this small Central Texas town's main intersection. They said they came to educate the public, not confront the people at the rally.

Juan Torres of the Austin Coalition for Immigrant Rights said he was disappointed that a Latino organization had backed the event. "We find it hard to believe that an immigrant would be for deporting his brother, an immigrant."

Spencer Crowl, an Austin activist, said, "The current anti-immigration discussion is counterproductive to the American mission statement of cultural diversity and multicultural interaction."

At the rally, the crowd endured intermittent rain, mud puddles and steamy conditions at a park near Crawford High School's football stadium. The park is several miles from Bush's ranch. He traveled to Oklahoma for an event Saturday, and was not at the ranch.

Magda Rodriguez attended with her husband, Rafael, son, Jonathan, and Jack Russell terrier, Cowboy. She carried a cardboard sign that complained of an immigrant stealing her identity.

Rafael said the Internal Revenue Service first told his wife that she was underreporting her income. The family later realized that another woman had assumed Magda's name and Social Security number.

"It is hell. We still go through hell," he said of his family's attempts to recover from the fraud. He said he hoped Jonathan, who carried a sign that read, "Enter America The Right Way," learned about the "rule of law" by attending the event. Such handmade signs were popular.

"Mexico: Try a Day Without America," read one. Another pleaded: "Stop the Invasion."

matt.stiles@chron.com

[La Enchiladita]

Be-yoo-ti-full!!!

[RonDog]

Here are af few MORE photographs, from the Houston Chronicle:

Michael Land, of Alvarado, Texas, holds up signs during a rally
protesting amnesty for illegal immigrants Saturday in Crawford.

MATT SLOCUM: AP

Kathy Wacker, of Plano, Texas, cheers during a rally
protesting amnesty for illegal immigrants Saturday in Crawford.

MATT SLOCUM: AP

Rhonda Land, left, and her husband Michael,
both of Alvarado, Texas, listen during a rally
protesting amnesty for illegal immigrants Saturday in Crawford.

MATT SLOCUM: AP

Demonstrators cheer during a rally
protesting amnesty for illegal immigrants
Saturday in Crawford.

MATT SLOCUM: AP

[RonDog]

:o)

[doug from upland]

Juan Torres of the Austin Coalition for Immigrant Rights said he was disappointed that a Latino organization had backed the event. "We find it hard to believe that an immigrant would be for deporting his brother, an immigrant."

======================================================================

That is all we need to hear. "His brother" means someone with brown skin. Yes, this whole thing is racist --- it is racist on the part of Latinos who only care about LA RAZA, not the United States. Race is all that matters to them.

[Supernatural]

Great thread and great reports. Looks like the anti-illegal people are picking up some steam and some supporters.

Thanks for your work posting this thread and other threads about the Minutemen (and women) and thanks to the informative posts from all the other FReepers.

[Czar]

Your follow up posts are also very much appreciated, Ench. Thanks.

Be sure and convey our appreciation and thanks to your fellow Minutemen.

God Bless the Minutemen.

[La Enchiladita]

All I have done so far, Czar, is sign up for MMP e-mails, sign the pledge and fax it in. I haven't even been down to the border yet. Unlike some other great people around here.

So, being able to do a little long-distance reporting is an honor. And I will convey your sentiments during the next phone call.

The tragedy is the way the media is so anti-American. The rally should have been on TV, or at least on radio. Even though we are working against the Dems, the media is our internal enemy #1. They still label us as "anti-immigrant."

We might, this week, concentrate on contacting media to cover this Caravan... especially when they arrive in Washington, D.C. next Friday.

What say you?

[Czar]

"We might, this week, concentrate on contacting media to cover this Caravan... especially when they arrive in Washington, D.C. next Friday."

Good idea, Ench. Being the crapweasels they are, of course, most of the MSM will shrink from this like a vampire shown the cross. Still worth doing, whether they cover or not.

[La Enchiladita]

Upcoming Caravan appearances:

Little Rock Rally
8:00 p.m., May 7 (tonight)
Steps of the State Capitol

Nashville Rally
8:00 p.m., Monday, May 8
Steps of the State Capitol

Atlanta Rally
8:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 9
Steps of the State Capitol

The Memphis Rally
12:00 p.m., Mon., May 8
Location TBA

Birmingham Rally
1:00 p.m., Tues., May 9
Location TBA

[Arizona Carolyn]

No kidding? I wondered what happened. John and Ken will have fun with that one.... I'm suprised they didn't join this trip to DC -- guess if they can't be the leaders????

[Arizona Carolyn]

I second Czar's sentiments, thank you and tell Lyman and the others we are proud of them.

[doug from upland]

John and Ken or John Ziegler should broadcast for D.C. on Friday.

[nicmarlo]

Good article, Ench...thanks for the ping.

[nicmarlo]

the Little Rock rally tonight, 8:00p.m., on the steps of the State Capitol.

Bump!

[Arizona Carolyn]

Good; please ping me as a reminder to tune my computer to listen.