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May 01, 2006
Immigration Rally Tidbits
At today's immigration rally -- which started at Jefferson Park around 10:30 a.m. and concluded at the steps of the federal building near Miller Park around 2 p.m., and which was attended by upwards of 1,000 hispanics -- some interesting things could be seen and heard:
(Photo by David Andrews)
Shauna Wilson (above), a Nazi, was part of a small counterprotest. She didn't stay long.
To get their message out to the protesting passers by, the Christian Science Reading Room on Market Street had replaced all of the English versions of the free literature on their sidewalk table with Spanish versions.
Many hispanic protesters took breaks from the festivites to buy snack chips and soft drinks at the nearby Subway.
A middle-aged gentleman slowly pushing a bike on a curb, had this to say to us: "You seen that stuff over there? Those hispanics, they stick together. They've been here ten, 15 years and they haven't paid any taxes. Now, they want part of the $36 billion. Well, why didn't they say that in the first place?" Upon moving into traffic, he had this to say: "I love this country. I wouldn't want to live in any other country. But this country can be pretty lowdown to its people. It can be pretty lowdon to its people."
What appeared to be a federal marshall -- gun in tow -- could be seen standing with two other white men. (Plain clothes cops?) At one point, they all shook the hand of a S.W.A.T. team member who was in uniform. One of the men was seen taking pictures of protestors for close to an hour, both while they were marching towards Miller Park and after they had settled at the federal building.
A white male protester held a sign reading, "Legalize Marijuana, Not Illegal Immigration." A white woman with him held a peace sign. They flashed their wares at passing motorists from the corner of Market and 10th.
Other comments overheard:
Police officer at the federal building who refused to give his name: "They’re all breaking the law by being on the steps." [David Andrews, Pulse photographer: "Are you officially asking them to clear the steps?"] Officer: "I told you once not to take my picture."
Police Officer Harold Diaz: "We have been only given instructions to monitor security, nothing else. It’s been very calm and peaceful."
A woman on smoke break outside Warehouse Row: "I ain’t got anything against their marching, but they are illegal. That’s the problem. If they can’t get a visa, they shouldn’t come." A woman standing with her: "And they’re not paying taxes. That’s not right."
Harold, a parking lot attendant nearby: "Ain’t nothing down there for them. They ain’t hurting anything; I say let them stay."
News Update | By pulseblogger | 04:58 PM
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