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Immigration critics set sights on Saturday

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BY ART HOVEY / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 12:11:00 am CDT

A recently formed group called Nebraskans Fed-Up with Illegal Immigration is planning a rally Saturday at Antelope Park.

Lincoln resident and coordinator Stanford Sipple said he is responding to recent Hispanic-organized events here, elsewhere in Nebraska and nationally aimed at accommodating undocumented workers.

“There have been all these thousands of illegal immigrants in this state wanting a free pass into this country,” Sipple said Wednesday.

Story Photo
Demonstrators march toward the Liberty Memorial Museum on Monday during an immigrant rights rally in Kansas City, Mo. (AP)

“I think they’re trying to intimidate public officials into going their way,” he added, “and we want to represent the silent majority that doesn’t want them to get a free pass into the country.”

The Saturday event looms as the latest local development to attempts by Congress to choose between harsher or more lenient treatment of an estimated 12 million workers in the United States illegally.

April 10 rallies in Lincoln, Omaha and other Nebraska cities attracted thousands of Hispanic marchers who favor the more lenient approach and a strategy that might allow many from undocumented ranks to remain in the state.

Organizers of an event Monday, called “A Day without Immigrants,” encouraged workers to show their economic power by skipping work and staying out of non-Hispanic stores.

That led to more Nebraska marches and a candlelight vigil in Lincoln.

Sipple, who said he watched the April 10 march here, thinks the time has come for critics to assert themselves.

“I think they have a right to present their views … but they are wrong. And the majority in this country doesn’t want unrestricted immigration.”

The Saturday plan for offering a counter message is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Those attending will recite the Pledge of Allegiance, sing the national anthem and perhaps hear from people whom Sipple said moved from California to Nebraska to escape the latest wave of immigrants on the West Coast.

Local Hispanic activist Marty Ramirez said later Wednesday he’s not surprised a counter rally is in the works.

There has always been an anti-immigration point of view in the state “and we were very aware that there was going to be a backlash,” Ramirez said.

Woven into it, as far as he’s concerned, is “the concept of race, racism and hatred, that becomes part of the backlash, part of the frenzy, the panic” that Hispanics “are taking over.”

When asked about his motivation, Sipple ruled out any influence from events of three years ago in which he said he was suspended from practicing law by the Nebraska Supreme Court after a dispute with a client over a fee in a worker’s compensation case.

He ruled in, among other things, a visit to a Web site where others who share his views were promoting an organized response. That includes between “a dozen and 20” other people “all across the state” attracted to the same site.

“I was the only one who signed up in Nebraska, at first, as state coordinator. And at least for now we’re taking on the name Nebraskans Fed-Up with Illegal Immigration.”

Why does he feel so strongly about the subject? “Illegal immigration is a national security issue, an economic issue, something that concerns the country.”

He wants Congress to “stop the flood” and to hold accountable any employers who contribute to the problem. “I think we need to have that control and enforcement in place before we decide what to do with the people who are here.”

Ramirez has other thoughts, none of which are likely to result in him trying to witness what happens Saturday.

But he cited plenty of support in Nebraska for an immigrant population, support “that’s going to catch them off guard. Part of me wants to suggest that this will not be as big as they think. But you never know.”

Reach Art Hovey at (402) 523-4949 or ahovey@alltel.net.


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Nosy wrote on May 4, 2006 4:43 am:
" In reading this story, I think there are several things present that were not present in the pro-illegal immigrant story. In this story, Mr. Sipple's personal history is used to impugn his motives. No such commentary occurred in your reporting of the other side of this issue. In this story, you quote (and therefore have sought out) a local Hispanic activist as counterweight. In your pro-illegal stories, you do not seek out such a counterweight. (And parenthetically, if you'll pardon the term, why does opposition to illegality have to be racialist? I am also against bank robbery, selling drugs to children, and quite a few other, illegal, things. I also support the principles of this Constitution.) "

 Ralph Thomas wrote on May 4, 2006 5:06 am:
" Hispanic's have more right to inhabit this hemisphere than the european immigrants, then and now. The Hispanic population is indigenous to this side of the world, europeans are not. "

 Ranger wrote on May 4, 2006 6:25 am:
" I am an American.... I have worked, washing windows, sewing clothes, pulling weeds, teaching school, flipping burgers, shining shoes, baling hay, hawking news, selling insurance, pouring booze, sketching portraits, twisting screws, stripping roofs, playing the blues, waxing hoods, hiring crews, wiring houses, laying pipe, mowing yards, dealing cards, setting concrete, stirring brews, delivering pizza, shoveling stables, mopping floors, waiting tables, fixing cars, pumping gas, kissing behind, making breakfast, washing dishes, slinging hash, parking cars, treating rash, slopping hogs, counting cash. All this and more I have done to support my wife and my son. I thank God for every job I have ever had, though I not rich, I am glad.... That I am an American. I deeply resent anyone who says "that there are jobs that Americans just won't do" because he is lying about me, and he is lying about you. "

 A Concerned Citizen wrote on May 4, 2006 7:13 am:
" The rally against illegal immigration is not a racial issue. The word 'illegal' should give a clue. In other words, illegal immigrants do not belong here and need to go back. There are too many American Citizens that cannot get jobs and other services they need because they got pushed aside by people that do not belong here. I'd say send all the illegal immigrants back to their country. "

 Red wrote on May 4, 2006 7:32 am:
" Can't wait for this Anti-Illegal rally!!!! I hope that all LEGAL citizens no matter if your black, white, native american, asian, european, or come from any other nationality all come together and help support coming to the USA legally. "

 Jon wrote on May 4, 2006 8:00 am:
" Teach Spanish in schools instead of the fairy tale Pilgrims/Indians story or the myth of slave-owner Christopher Columbus. Then we'll talk about immigration on an adult level instead of all this whiny stiff from the anti-immigration crowd.Save taxpayers some money too.Instead of teaching lies teach the kids something they will need to know.Spanish. "

 donna wrote on May 4, 2006 8:20 am:
" I am a second generation immigrant from Czech. My grandparents were so happy to be in USA the became Americans. ENGLISH was learned very quickly. I do not agree with all the catering US does for the immigrants. Spanish should GO!!!!! Why accommodate them when other languages are not. "

 Josh wrote on May 4, 2006 9:36 am:
" When will these people (the supporters of illegal immigration) get it through their heads that this is not an issue of race or LEGAL immigration- I don't know anybody who has anything against Hispanic people, and I don't know anybody who is against legal immigration- we all know how important LEGAL immigration is to this country and most people do not want to restrict that. The issue here is ILLEGAL immigration, people who came here WITHOUT GETTING THE PROPER VISA, those are the people who deserve no sympathy and those are the people that so many of us will not tolerate. My wife is a recent immigrant to this country, she did it the legal way- and she sees it as a slap in the face to her and all others who follow the laws of this country to come here legally to see all of the illegal immigrants protesting and complaining about their supposed "rights"- as she says, if they did not come here through the legal channels they have no rights, deserve nothing, and need to go back to their homelands immediately to begin applying for immigrant or work visas. "

 Get Over It wrote on May 4, 2006 10:55 am:
" all this nonsense just needs to stop. It was never a problem YEARS ago and now all of a sudden everyone is tripping out about illegal immigration. GET OVER IT! "

 Sylvia wrote on May 4, 2006 11:29 am:
" I certainly hope these people are marching against the coorporate interests and business owners that create low-paying, no benefit jobs which no American that pays for healthcare, auto insurance, sales taxes and property taxes can afford to take. These type of people infuriate me. They speak out against unions, federal regulations and oversight, an increase in the minimum wage, and protections for the worker, but then march against the only people that can afford to take these jobs with no protections. And as long as the politicians say they'll stop people from killin' babies, marryin' gays, and lowering taxes (while continuing to spend more?), these people will keep voting against their interests. What's the matter with Nebraska, indeed. "

 Tom wrote on May 4, 2006 11:46 am:
" The Pilgrims/Indians lessons are not fair tales. Nobody would be here if it wasn't for the Pilgrims. That shows how much history and gratetude some people have. We Americans kept our mouth shut years ago when the Hispanics came across the border and smuggled in cattle trucks covered with tarps so they wouldn't be seen. Camped in our fields and pastures and in the night stole our chickens etc on their way to pick beets etc. I'm not against legal immigration, but why should all other foreingers enter the country according to the laws of the U S and the Hispanics think their immune to any laws. When a hospital room in Lincoln cost $33,000 a day, guess who we are also paying health care cost for??? When Hispanics have an auto accident and not insurance or driver license guess who's insurance company pays for the accident and then gets their insurance premiums raised or in my case, CANCELLED. Who is paying the price - American Citizens who have worked their tails off and abided by the laws of the U.S. tarps "

 DM wrote on May 4, 2006 1:15 pm:
" Ralph Thomas should learn his history better. And as "A Concerned Citizen" wrote, "The word 'illegal' should give a clue". My hispanic sister-in-law's grandparents did it the legal way. If they want to make America Mexico and fly their flag, etc., than why not just stay in Mexico? Do you think their country would put up with a bunch of illegal immigrants that they're citizens are inadvertantly, or directly having to support? Don't think so! Wake up people before you don't recognize what you're waking up to. And as far as teaching Spanish in school, why not work harder on teaching the non-English speaking citizens English instead. It is the American language afterall. My great-grandparents came from Czechoslovakia and spoke Czech in the home and English in the community, just like many different cultures do. I think the LEGAL immigrants are simply being spat upon. "

 Bert wrote on May 4, 2006 1:18 pm:
" One of the best things that could happen is to go after the ones that hire the illigals. A few CEO's their hiring managers spent some time in jail, like 5 years or more, would soon put a stop to the jobs, then if we would stop giving the illigals everything for free, like health care, welfare, foodstamps, make them pay car insurance. How do we do it? Ask them for their citizenship papers, their Income tax statments for the year, well, the USA probably wouldn't look so good to them after all. To bad these illigals don't go home and do their marching, using their brain power in Mexico. One 15 year old was asked why he was marching last Monday, his answer," I'm marching for my country Mexico." He was going to school in the USA at the taxpayers expense up here. "

 Obbop wrote on May 4, 2006 4:16 pm:
" I will be at the rally. I will share with you folks the horrors I experienced in California, the horrid social and economic conditions created by millions of invaders....... forcing me to become a refugee in my own country. The mass media is NOT informing the public of the perils facing our country, culture, country. Please, America is calling out to you. Save the Union. America IS being invaded. "

 For Tom wrote on May 4, 2006 4:54 pm:
" No one would be here if it weren't for the pilgrims? I'm sorry but you just displayed more ignorance than you can imagine. There would be people here, "Native American" people. How much history and gratitude do you have? What have you done to thank the Natives for the sacrifices they made? Many great nations were slaughtered so your pilgrims could come here and profit from the land. I know this was not the point you were trying to make, I am just tired of igorant people commenting on issues involving Native peoples when they know nothing. Gratitude? What a joke. "

 christine wrote on May 4, 2006 6:02 pm:
" i agree with ranger and josh---there are many jobs that i have done to feed my family and i have not refused any jobs that were offered to me. My family comes from other countries and they did it the legal way. All i would like to see is that other people coming to this country who want to stay---have them go through the same channels as my ancestors did to become U.S. citizens( if here is where they wish to reside). They should have to take the required Government classes and learn the Pledge of Allegiance, and etc. just like our ancestors did. This is not a racial issue. This is just the way our country was founded and by not doing things the legal way--the illegal or undocumented people are basically just spitting on our forefathers and foremothers! This is not showing love or respect for our country! "

 A wrote on May 4, 2006 6:46 pm:
" In regards to Bert's response he or she needs to do a little more research. Any person who is an illegal immigrant CANNOT get help from our Health and Human Services..such as foodstamps, medicaid, voucher checks ext. You need to look around more, look at all the so called citizens living on welfare 'because they can', they are ALL US Citizens who are too lazy to go out and get a job, burnouts who dropped out of school, or teenage girls (who are US Citizens)getting pregnant and dropping out of school, therefore relying on our government to support them. In ending this, I would like to ask the other people who responded..are you Native Americans or did your ancestors come to the United States illegally too?? There werent immigration laws back then, so are you saying that its okay to come over and take the land away from Native Americans?? For what??? A better way of life!!!!! "

 Lisa wrote on May 4, 2006 8:08 pm:
" "A"...I've gone into Emergency Rooms crowded with illegals waiting for care for a little sniffle or cold. These people are driving up the costs of health care for everyone else. They are told how to get the ambulance to come pick them up. We have people in our community who have been convicted of selling fake documents to illegals so other illegals can get jobs. Yes, there are people who take advantage of the welfare system and it is a shame. But, I am much more willing to support a down and out American citizen or legal immigrant than someone who is breaking our laws, lying, stealing identities and rubbing their flag in our face. "

 Jo wrote on May 4, 2006 8:15 pm:
" In the article Ramirez says there is a lot of support in Nebraska for an immigrant population. Again, the problem is not with legal immigrations. The problem is with illegal immigration. If I'm not at the rally Saturday, it isn't because I don't support the cause - I ABSOLUTELY DO and so do many of my neigbors. "

 PROUD CHICANO wrote on May 4, 2006 8:53 pm:
" In response to many, if you all actually knew your history, you would know that Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, California, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, were all part of MEXICO. And also that Mexico never signed the treaty form the Mexican American war, so technically, many of us Mexicans are are in our homelands. So therefore, the U.S. invaded our land. And if some of you didn't notice, we are all Americans: North American, Central American, and South American. And did you know that if you were to deport the 12 million undocumented immigrants, you would be leaving over 3 million U.S. born children without parents. According to Time Magazine, the money that all undocumented workers make in a year, they spend 93% of that money here in the U.S. so you can't complain about them not contributing to the economy. If you deport them, the economy would crumble. Thank you and God Bless the U.S.!!!!! From a PROUD U.S. BORN CHICANO STANDING UP FOR HIS PEOPLE!!! "

 Secret wrote on May 4, 2006 9:41 pm:
" Personally I think people have to much time on there hands.who cares about the illegals as long as they are wroking and NOT causing trouble. People need to worry about themselves and ther families and stay out of everyone else's problems. "

 PROUD AMERICAN wrote on May 4, 2006 10:48 pm:
" Explain to me "chicano" why are your people trying to turn this into a race issue??? Also what does a war which mexico lost so disgracefully, have to do with today?? What all this sounds like to me is your people are wanting to start trouble, which you could never finish. We crushed mexicanos once we can do it again. Maybe all americans and african americans should boycott mexican owned business!! How would you like that?? "

 American Pride wrote on May 4, 2006 11:08 pm:
" No part of the US ever 'belonged'to Mexico. It was invaded and conquered by the Spanish government of Mexico, remember they were the 'other' europeans here too? Or perhaps Proud Chicano is choosing to be blind to that fact and hopes everyone else is too? As for racism the chicano movement is full of it too, just check out LaMechA & La Voz de Aztlan for starters and don't forget the racist banners of the earlier marches, the banners they were happy to carry and the disrespect they demonstrated for the American flag and this country and it's people before they decided to play to the cameras and be our 'friends.' All I can say to the people organizing this rally is be prepared to be bullied and shouted down. The pro-illegal crowd doesn't have any respect for anyone else's rights or opinions and they'll shut you up anyway they can. "

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