Perhaps it is a good thing that the Prince William Cnty supervisors encouraged people to give their testimonies regarding the vote on anti-immigration measures. It no longer belongs just to supervisor Corey Stewart.
There were scuffles, screaming matches and insults. One Manassas resident, Robert Stephen told a crowd of Hispanics "Where do you get off demanding services, rights and mandatory citizenship?" ... "Who invited you? You cry for your rights? You have none..."
Interesting comment for the paper to quote. Especially since people are not necessarily demanding services and for sure not demanding mandatory citizenship. Perhaps it was written to show the absurdity of the situation.
It also reminded me one more time of the intense hatred involved in all of this... and a conversation I had last week with someone from the anti-immigration group Center for Immigration Studies -- which turned out to be quite an experience. More on that later.
-----
As Hundreds Testify, Pr. William's Vote on Immigrant Plan Goes Late
By Nick Miroff and Kristen Mack
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, October 17, 2007; A01
A vote to enact Prince William County's nationally watched plan to crack down on illegal immigrants was delayed into the night yesterday after a huge public turnout produced a marathon session of emotional public testimony.
More than 1,200 people packed the county government complex in Woodbridge and the streets outside yesterday afternoon, creating a charged -- and at times tense -- atmosphere. As the Board of County Supervisors meeting began, supporters and opponents of the measures scuffled in the street before police pulled the two sides apart, threatening to make arrests.
...the real drama was in Prince William, and it wasn't confined to the street. About 375 people signed up to address the supervisors during the public comment period; early today, dozens of people were still waiting to speak. When the board's chairman, Corey A. Stewart (R), who has made illegal immigration the signature issue of his reelection campaign, moved at the outset to reduce the time allotted for each speaker from three minutes to one, Supervisor Maureen S. Caddigan (R-Dumfries) sought to block the measure.
Caddigan and other board members have criticized Stewart for using $30,000 in public money to send postcards to every Prince William household notifying residents of the board's vote. Stewart should not invite residents to the meeting and then restrict their right to speak, Caddigan argued.
The motion was put to a vote, and five of the board's other seven members, including three Republicans, agreed with Caddigan.
Nine hours later, the supervisors were still hearing public testimony and not begun a discussion of the proposal to fully implement the anti-illegal immigrant policies. At one point late into the session, Supervisor Hilda M. Barg (D-Woodbridge) said Stewart had left the board chambers to conduct television interviews and asked to delay proceedings until he returned.
The measures considered yesterday would authorize police to conduct immigration checks on anyone accused of breaking a law or local ordinance if an officer suspects that person is an illegal immigrant.
The measures also would deny certain county services to illegal immigrants.
But with a projected 14 percent decline in property values, several supervisors have expressed concern about funding the measures, opting two weeks ago to delay the vote until yesterday.
With the Nov. 6 election approaching and all of the supervisors up for reelection, the county's illegal-immigration policies have become a dominant campaign issue. Stewart has pushed hard for the new measures to be approved before Election Day, angering fellow board members.
But for hours yesterday afternoon and deep into the night, the podium belonged to residents, highlighting how visceral the issue has become.
Children of immigrants, standing on stools, asked board members not to hurt their parents.
Others pointed out that illegal immigrants are breaking the law. "Where do you get off demanding services, rights and mandatory citizenship?" said Manassas resident Robert Stephens, addressing the crowd of Hispanic residents. "Who invited you? You cry for your rights? You have none..."
for complete Washington Post article, click title of this post
No comments:
Post a Comment