Those with differing opinions on immigration get platform
A rally by Voice of the People USA was countered by a press conference by American Civil Liberties Union.
JEREMY GRAD Times Leader Correspondent
Harrisburg City Councilwoman Linda Thompson speaks at the ACLU rally on Saturday at The Sunken Garden, Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, to counter the Voice of the People rally on immigration reform at the State Capitol Building .
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
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• Taking the message to Harrisburg
HARRISBURG – Finding a path to the American dream for immigrants was the focus of speakers at Harrisburg’s Riverfront Park Sunken Garden on Saturday.
A press conference was organized primarily by the American Civil Liberties Union. It was held to counter a rally organized by Hazleton-based Voice of the People USA on the steps of the state Capitol building later in the day. Voice of the People is a group formed to show support for Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta and his Illegal Immigration Relief Act.
The crowd gathered and held signs reading “Respect for All Workers” and “No Hate in Our Town.”
Dennis Biancuzzo of the Pennsylvania Network of Unity Coalitions was the first speaker at the event.
“We’re compelled to raise our voices over those who are marginalized,” Biancuzzo said. “We do not condone unlawful entry. We also recognize that our current immigration policy is deeply flawed.”
Homer C. Floyd, executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, singled out the current administration of the city of Hazleton for his ire.
“Those who are least able to protect themselves are most likely to be the same people discriminated against,” Floyd said. “Hazleton in its zeal to control a group deemed undesirable violated the rights of these people.”
Jose Urdaneta, a Lancaster city council member, said hate and political avarice were fueling the immigration crisis in America. He likened hate to a drug and said, “People are using hate to advance their political careers.”
At the conclusion of the press conference, about 40 people marched to North Third Street, directly across from the Capitol steps to hold a silent protest of the rally opposing illegal immigration.
At least nine horse-mounted state troopers, more than two dozen Capitol police and several members of the U.S. Department of Justice divided the illegal immigration rally from the members of the silent protest.
Several skinhead groups attended the Voice of the People rally and stood on the Capitol steps cheering the speakers. A man, who refused to be identified, said he was a member of the skinhead organizations.
A shouting match erupted between a group of skinheads and a group of pro-immigration demonstrators. Capitol police and Department of Justice officers quickly encircled the arguing parties and dispersed them.
“We love America,” said Jaime Ceja, pro-immigration protestor from Harrisburg, “but America, sometimes they’re the ones that hate us.”
Ceja said he wished those at the Voice of the People rally would, “Walk a mile in our shoes before they judge us.”
As skinheads heckled the silent demonstration, Biancuzzo said, “I believe it’s important that we get the message across that we support all people. We don’t support hatred or divisiveness and we feel the best way to get that message across is a non-confrontational silent protest.”
Those with differing opinions on immigration get platform
A rally by Voice of the People USA was countered by a press conference by American Civil Liberties Union.
JEREMY GRAD Times Leader Correspondent
Harrisburg City Councilwoman Linda Thompson speaks at the ACLU rally on Saturday at The Sunken Garden, Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, to counter the Voice of the People rally on immigration reform at the State Capitol Building .
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
Times Leader Photo Store
Related headlines
• Taking the message to Harrisburg
HARRISBURG – Finding a path to the American dream for immigrants was the focus of speakers at Harrisburg’s Riverfront Park Sunken Garden on Saturday.
A press conference was organized primarily by the American Civil Liberties Union. It was held to counter a rally organized by Hazleton-based Voice of the People USA on the steps of the state Capitol building later in the day. Voice of the People is a group formed to show support for Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta and his Illegal Immigration Relief Act.
The crowd gathered and held signs reading “Respect for All Workers” and “No Hate in Our Town.”
Dennis Biancuzzo of the Pennsylvania Network of Unity Coalitions was the first speaker at the event.
“We’re compelled to raise our voices over those who are marginalized,” Biancuzzo said. “We do not condone unlawful entry. We also recognize that our current immigration policy is deeply flawed.”
Homer C. Floyd, executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, singled out the current administration of the city of Hazleton for his ire.
“Those who are least able to protect themselves are most likely to be the same people discriminated against,” Floyd said. “Hazleton in its zeal to control a group deemed undesirable violated the rights of these people.”
Jose Urdaneta, a Lancaster city council member, said hate and political avarice were fueling the immigration crisis in America. He likened hate to a drug and said, “People are using hate to advance their political careers.”
At the conclusion of the press conference, about 40 people marched to North Third Street, directly across from the Capitol steps to hold a silent protest of the rally opposing illegal immigration.
At least nine horse-mounted state troopers, more than two dozen Capitol police and several members of the U.S. Department of Justice divided the illegal immigration rally from the members of the silent protest.
Several skinhead groups attended the Voice of the People rally and stood on the Capitol steps cheering the speakers. A man, who refused to be identified, said he was a member of the skinhead organizations.
A shouting match erupted between a group of skinheads and a group of pro-immigration demonstrators. Capitol police and Department of Justice officers quickly encircled the arguing parties and dispersed them.
“We love America,” said Jaime Ceja, pro-immigration protestor from Harrisburg, “but America, sometimes they’re the ones that hate us.”
Ceja said he wished those at the Voice of the People rally would, “Walk a mile in our shoes before they judge us.”
As skinheads heckled the silent demonstration, Biancuzzo said, “I believe it’s important that we get the message across that we support all people. We don’t support hatred or divisiveness and we feel the best way to get that message across is a non-confrontational silent protest.”