National
battle over immigration leads to skirmish in Silver Spring
by Will Marshall
Saturday, May 22, 2010
It's a cool Saturday morning in May. I'm standing in the parking lot of CASA de Maryland located on University Boulevard and Piney Branch Road. CASA de Maryland is a county funded institution that works with low-income immigrant communities, particularly Latinos, to assure access to a full range of resources and opportunities.
A group named Help Save Maryland, "a multi-ethnic, grassroots, citizens' organization dedicated to preserving Maryland's counties, cities and towns from the negative effects of illegal aliens" is planning an anti CASA/illegal immigration rally here today.
Nobody is sure what to expect.
by Will Marshall
Photos
by Eric Bond
Saturday, May 22, 2010
It's a cool Saturday morning in May. I'm standing in the parking lot of CASA de Maryland located on University Boulevard and Piney Branch Road. CASA de Maryland is a county funded institution that works with low-income immigrant communities, particularly Latinos, to assure access to a full range of resources and opportunities.
A group named Help Save Maryland, "a multi-ethnic, grassroots, citizens' organization dedicated to preserving Maryland's counties, cities and towns from the negative effects of illegal aliens" is planning an anti CASA/illegal immigration rally here today.
Nobody is sure what to expect.
In the past Help Save Maryland's rallies have been relatively small; a
smattering of protesters carrying signs along the sidewalk that runs
parallel to University Boulevard.
Today is different. The controversial immigration law recently passed in Arizona giving law enforcement the power to incarcerate and deport any one who does not produce proper identification upon request has sparked debate nationwide.
Advocates of the law say it enforces Federal law. Dissenters claim it will cause racial profiling.
People are choosing sides.
Brad Botwin, Help Save Maryland's founder, wants to see Maryland incorporate the Arizona law.
"We are very much backing the people in Arizona because the illegals don't stay in Arizona, they come to places like Montgomery County because we offer them jobs, schooling, and medical care," said Botwin. "They come here like a moth to a flame."
In the parking lot a small group of volunteers wearing red CASA shirts is gathering in a circle to introduce one another before the rally starts. "My name's Tom," a white man with khaki cargo shorts, says, "I just want to help anyway I can." Everyone introduces themselves. One woman is from Africa, another from France.
CASA's strategy today is one of passive resistance. Instead of shouting back at the protesters they are going to plant some flowers and clean up the grounds. "We believe in doing good things for the community, and that's what we will be doing today," says Tania del Angel, CASA's Media Correspondent.
Suddenly, a large white man with long gray hair, wearing an American flag T-shirt, strides up along the black wrought iron fence that borders the parking lot. "You are trespassing on American soil, go home," he barks at the CASA volunteers through the megaphone.
The rally has begun.
Arizona's immigration law is not the only narrative driving the anger behind this rally. Montgomery County is one of the nation's most affluent counties and has for years opened its substantial coffers to those in need. Now after four decades of continuous growth, Montgomery County faces a budget shortfall of nearly one billion dollars.
"Look, the truth is most of the people who come over illegally are not criminals, they are just people like you and me looking for a good thing. I don't blame them. But we can't allow people to take advantage of our services or we will go broke. That is really what it is all about." Botwin says.
The folks at CASA understand the anger people feel about immigration, but what they don't understand is why this anger is standing on there doorstep
shouting things like, "Speak English or go home."
"I understand why they are so angry. The federal system is broken. But they shouldn't focus their energy on us, we are trying to help people integrate into our community. We just provide services. They should focus on the Federal government," says Angel.
Sissy Kegley, a resident of Takoma Park, who is wearing a Red CASA shirt doesn't like what she is hearing either, "I hear a lot of misinformation. There is no face to what they are arguing. Look around, not everyone speaks Spanish here. What they don't understand is that by cutting funding they are cutting English classes. They just don't understand the big picture."
A crowd of seventy or eighty people has formed on the sidewalk. Some are waving large American flags, others are waving the yellow "Don't tread on me" Gadsden flags. The man with long gray hair and the megaphone is now standing on a Mexican flag. "Calderon hates America," he shouts.
"He shouldn't do that," says Joey Perez, a protester and member of the Cecil County Patriots. "That's disrespectful, we don't believe in disrespecting people. We just feel the federal (immigration) law needs to be enforced. We won't stand on anyone's flag but we do feel this country has a problem."
Inside CASA's gates small children are planting flowers in fresh mulch. A group of Hispanic adolescent boys stands crossed armed watching the rally in silence.
Evelyn Gonzalez, a CASA volunteer doesn't like the tone of the rhetoric brewing on the sidewalk, "Look, together we form a society, a family. We need to come together and form solutions. How you act in a crisis says a lot about your family."
The man with the megaphone is no longer standing on the Mexican flag. Members of the Cecil County Patriots have told him they thought it was disrespectful and he complied.
Brad Botwin doesn't like when people call him or the people of Help Save Maryland "Nazis". He thinks the comparison is absurd. "When people call me a Nazi, it's just sad. It makes me sad. I'm Jewish. Some of my ancestors where murdered in the Holocaust. I'm not frothing at the mouth with hate. I just want our tax dollars to stop funding people who are here illegally."
The rally is winding down; signs and flags no longer hoisted high in the air. Most of protestors are in groups of five or six, talking amongst themselves, sharing war stories.
Tona Craviote, CASA's Work Force Manager, can't believe the turnout, "I'm surprised there were so many. I don't like what they say. To me they are against fathers and mothers working. They are against families. But I say thank you Arizona, because it's causing people to care or not care. It making people choose sides and we need that as a country."
Today is different. The controversial immigration law recently passed in Arizona giving law enforcement the power to incarcerate and deport any one who does not produce proper identification upon request has sparked debate nationwide.
Advocates of the law say it enforces Federal law. Dissenters claim it will cause racial profiling.
People are choosing sides.
Brad Botwin, Help Save Maryland's founder, wants to see Maryland incorporate the Arizona law.
"We are very much backing the people in Arizona because the illegals don't stay in Arizona, they come to places like Montgomery County because we offer them jobs, schooling, and medical care," said Botwin. "They come here like a moth to a flame."
In the parking lot a small group of volunteers wearing red CASA shirts is gathering in a circle to introduce one another before the rally starts. "My name's Tom," a white man with khaki cargo shorts, says, "I just want to help anyway I can." Everyone introduces themselves. One woman is from Africa, another from France.
CASA's strategy today is one of passive resistance. Instead of shouting back at the protesters they are going to plant some flowers and clean up the grounds. "We believe in doing good things for the community, and that's what we will be doing today," says Tania del Angel, CASA's Media Correspondent.
Suddenly, a large white man with long gray hair, wearing an American flag T-shirt, strides up along the black wrought iron fence that borders the parking lot. "You are trespassing on American soil, go home," he barks at the CASA volunteers through the megaphone.
The rally has begun.
Arizona's immigration law is not the only narrative driving the anger behind this rally. Montgomery County is one of the nation's most affluent counties and has for years opened its substantial coffers to those in need. Now after four decades of continuous growth, Montgomery County faces a budget shortfall of nearly one billion dollars.
"Look, the truth is most of the people who come over illegally are not criminals, they are just people like you and me looking for a good thing. I don't blame them. But we can't allow people to take advantage of our services or we will go broke. That is really what it is all about." Botwin says.
A black truck attempts to pull into the parking lot. But a protestor, a heavy set man, with glasses and a gray beard and carrying two American Flags, won't get out of its way. "Move please," yells Kim Propeak, CASA's Director of Community Organizer. "Hey, don't touch me, it's a free country," the man shouts back. A police officer ushers the flag-waving man out of the path of truck.
Bruce Botwin (on the left), founder of Help Save Maryland
The folks at CASA understand the anger people feel about immigration, but what they don't understand is why this anger is standing on there doorstep
shouting things like, "Speak English or go home."
"I understand why they are so angry. The federal system is broken. But they shouldn't focus their energy on us, we are trying to help people integrate into our community. We just provide services. They should focus on the Federal government," says Angel.
Sissy Kegley, a resident of Takoma Park, who is wearing a Red CASA shirt doesn't like what she is hearing either, "I hear a lot of misinformation. There is no face to what they are arguing. Look around, not everyone speaks Spanish here. What they don't understand is that by cutting funding they are cutting English classes. They just don't understand the big picture."
A crowd of seventy or eighty people has formed on the sidewalk. Some are waving large American flags, others are waving the yellow "Don't tread on me" Gadsden flags. The man with long gray hair and the megaphone is now standing on a Mexican flag. "Calderon hates America," he shouts.
"He shouldn't do that," says Joey Perez, a protester and member of the Cecil County Patriots. "That's disrespectful, we don't believe in disrespecting people. We just feel the federal (immigration) law needs to be enforced. We won't stand on anyone's flag but we do feel this country has a problem."
Inside CASA's gates small children are planting flowers in fresh mulch. A group of Hispanic adolescent boys stands crossed armed watching the rally in silence.
Evelyn Gonzalez, a CASA volunteer doesn't like the tone of the rhetoric brewing on the sidewalk, "Look, together we form a society, a family. We need to come together and form solutions. How you act in a crisis says a lot about your family."
The man with the megaphone is no longer standing on the Mexican flag. Members of the Cecil County Patriots have told him they thought it was disrespectful and he complied.
A car drives by and honks. The passenger pumps his fist in support. All of the protestors wave and clap, and shout their approval. Moments later, another car drives by and this time the passenger flips them off and yells something that sounds like "Nazi."
Volunteers at CASA beautify their community center while their critics picket.
Brad Botwin doesn't like when people call him or the people of Help Save Maryland "Nazis". He thinks the comparison is absurd. "When people call me a Nazi, it's just sad. It makes me sad. I'm Jewish. Some of my ancestors where murdered in the Holocaust. I'm not frothing at the mouth with hate. I just want our tax dollars to stop funding people who are here illegally."
The rally is winding down; signs and flags no longer hoisted high in the air. Most of protestors are in groups of five or six, talking amongst themselves, sharing war stories.
Tona Craviote, CASA's Work Force Manager, can't believe the turnout, "I'm surprised there were so many. I don't like what they say. To me they are against fathers and mothers working. They are against families. But I say thank you Arizona, because it's causing people to care or not care. It making people choose sides and we need that as a country."
Detail from mural at CASA de Maryland community center.
Right off-
NO HUMAN BEING IS ILLEGAL-IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY!
But invaders are illegal to the country they invaded!
Love thy neighbor-do it by invading their country?!!
You teach the poor children in this photo to lie and be a victim rather than be legal and honest.
It says in the Bible that the one who corrupts the child will suffer eternal consequence!
We are well over your lies and excuses for theft invasion usurping of jobs undercutting of our wages and lack of Patriotism for the USA.
You are not home-your home is where your flag on your car prtrays you-El Salvador or Honduras etc!
I am myself a Latino. I am an American first.
Peaceful protests like this one is what we need to continue the fight to tighten our borders. Like a sponge that cannot soak up any more water this country cannot continue down this path. The Democrats have used African Americans for years and now they are trying to do the same to the Hispanic voting block by portraying that they care. They do not care all they want is their vote and just like the African American community they will use them. Have you noticed that the big inner cities with large African American populations have been run by Democrats for the last 40 years yet not much has changed for the folks there. "Blacks, get off of the plantation."
"Legal Latinos, wake up."
Once again the supporters of Casa do not get the whole picture. If they are so intent in supporting illegals with shelter, food, education and medical, then take them into your own home and pay for it yourself, not on my dime or other REAL members of our society paying taxes. I could care less where they are from, illegal is illegal. The problem is groups like casa tell them they are entitled to our services, which is wrong. They teach them how to circumvent the system to get the support, i.e. welfare, health care, etc from the taxpayers of Montgomery County. Also, groups like casa with their ties to hugo chavaz, where gustavo torres (head of casa, who is getting rich in this whole ordeal) preached at the SOCIALIST GET TOGETHER in Venezuala at the request of Chavez. Torres preaches who they "revolution" is continuing in the USA from "within". All you have to do is look him up on google and the "Militant" the socialist newsletter. My friends who are here legally do not like it at all how this county gives things away to illegals. My illegal friends are not complaining but they have nice big screen HDTV and cable, where I have to not have those things to cover my taxes. It is a known fact in central america that if they make it to the USA then make their way to maryland and montgomery county and we will take care of them...got that from someone who taught english for 6 yrs in central america, she is a US citizen from Ohio.
My wife and I were at this protest and will be at the next. The CRIMINAL Alien Special Aid center needs to be investigated to see if they are knowingly supporting a criminal enterprise. If they know that some of the people they are helping have broken Federal, State and Local laws by being in this country, then they need to assist DHS/ICE in seeing that the criminals are captured and deported.
I was at the protest.
Clearly, Casa of Maryland is a criminal front group, whose mission is the subvert federal immigration law.
The Executive Director recently acquired $1.5 million from Hugo Chavez's Venezuala, who supports Iran who wishes Israel would be wiped off the face of the earth. Chaevez has had military exercises with Russia, and routinely expells our diplomats.
Having Venezuala muck around in our communities by funding non-profits whose mission is to subvert federal immigration law, is a national security risk. I'm certain Casa of Maryland is monitored by the National Security Administration.
Think about it,
Mark
"No human being is illegal", Yeah??? Tell THAT to Mexico who deports its illegals. Tell that to all the other countries in the world who do the same. We Americans are supposed to "share" our country with everybody. In other words, American Citizens are left without a country because our interests and well-being are sacrificed for the sake of all these illegals being dumped on us by their countries who are glad to get rid of all their excess baggage and welfare cases by sending them across our borders. I am an American, this is MY home and these people are not welcome. They are hurting us and our children and turning this country into an overpopulated, overpolluted, lawless, drug-run wasteland like the ones they left at home. Send these illegals back home and stop all this nonsense. We are the laughing stock of the world who prospers by sending all their criminals and welfare problems to us. We need another SB1070 type law here in Maryland. I am a hispanic citizen and I am fed up with illegals, their expenses and their criminals. Send them all home. These people do not consider themselves americans and are here for what they can get. They have a home back where they came from and where they belong. Let them organize back home and demand from their fellow citizens and leaders what they, without any rights, are demanding of us the American Citizens and from what is supposed to be OUR government. If Americans tried to do the same in their countries they would be up in arms--that is, if we even made it across our border in THEIR direction.
I think that we should do our best to incorporate those who are already here and are part of our community into our legal system. But I also think that it's important to control immigration in order to guarantee that those entering our country are doing so with good intentions, and to be certain that our infrastructure can handle the influx of new immigrants.
But I do not think that treating people who are trying to make a better life for their families cruelly or inhumanely is the answer.
By the way, my family fought in the Revolutionary War, when they came over as IMMIGRANTS in the 17th century from England. I believe that America's diversity is our greatest strength. But I do agree that we have far too many people who come here to break the law and to take advantage of, rather than contribute to, our system. But for those who do wish to become citizens and pay taxes and partake in the American dream, I say "Welcome". I believe that we need to recognize the difference.
It's all about not having enough funds for everyone. That is the real problem here.
Yep. We're broke. We can't afford to take on 40 million illegal dependents. It's simple. It's not about race, ethnicity, or hate.
It's about corrupt politicians selling out our country for votes. Casa de Maryland is lying - they are also funded through federal programs and grant monies - our tax dollars.
These illegal alien support groups sit around on their easy-grant-money paychecks, filing grant applications and subverting our laws - aiding and abetting criminals. The outrage needs to be at our politicians.
All Democrats support illegal immigration reform - which is amnesty.
Until we OUST Democrats and demand that all candidates announce their immigration stance PUBLICLY - the next amnesty will complete erase a democratic process - through the sheer numbers of illegals - "new citizens."
Check out the Casa de Maryland web site...see who supports them - then BOYCOTT.
Report illegal hires to ICE - turn in employers.
Demand that politicians pass legislation that renders a felony for hiring illegals - with a 10K fine.
If we don't take action NOW - it won't matter. 40 million illegal criminals who came into my country ILLEGALLY do not deserve a chance at amnesty.