by Thomas MacMillan | August 15, 2009 10:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (70)

Violence flared in East Haven, as New Haven activists marching to protest alleged police racism tangled with out-of-state “white nationalists.”

Gallo said that East Haven is “the wrong town to be demonstrating in.” The “correct” town to voice complaints about immigration laws, he said, is Washington D.C.

Gallo said that his officers check for outstanding warrants whenever they pull someone over. Sometimes outstanding criminal issues can include deportation orders, he said. But the chief denied charges that police officers have been calling federal immigration enforcement when arresting any and all Latinos. “That is not my understanding,” he said.

Asked if his department keeps records on the ethnicity of arrestees, Gallo said that it does. He said that arrests of Latinos account for less than 30 percent of all arrests, but that he couldn’t be sure without checking the records. “I’d have to look it up,” he said.

Manship said that although East Haven’s mayor is engaging in federal Department of Justice-mediated conversations with some Latino business owners, there have been no changes in East Haven’s policies and procedures regarding interactions between police and Latinos.

“Several months ago… we decided that a public manifestation wasn’t in the best interests of what we’re trying to achieve,” Manship said when contacted by phone.

Not attending the march was New Haven priest Father James Manship, who was arrested in February while documenting alleged police harassment in East Haven . Manship has been an outspoken advocate for immigrant rights and members of his Fair Haven church have called for a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation of the East Haven police department .

After the protest had dissipated, business owner Wilfred Matute was in the back of My Country Store, wiping up a spill in one of his coolers. Matute had watched as the march passed by, but he said that he did not support the event. It will only create more problems, he said.

Down the street, the marchers passed between Los Amigos Grocery, on the left side of the street, and La Bamba Restaurant, on the right. Both businesses are run by Ecuadorians. Several men came outside La Bamba to watch the march pass by. They declined to give their names, but said that they recognized the problems caused by the alleged East Haven police actions against Latinos and that they supported the marchers.

Sitting at the counter at the front of his bakery (pictured), Pedro Guteirrez looked out as the protest marched past. Asked for his opinion about the protest, Gutierrez was noncommittal. Shrugging, he said everyone has a right to express his opinion. Gutierrez said that police harassment had “calmed down” recently and that things are improving in East Haven.

Saturday’s march passed by several of the Ecuadorian-owned businesses who have made complaints of ongoing racial harassment at the hands of the police. Inside, as the business owners and customers watched the protest pass by, they had mixed feelings about the event.

John Lugo (at left in photo, with Chief Gallo), the protest’s lead organizer, expressed his satisfaction with the march. “I think it went fine,” he said. He announced a follow-up meeting for Tuesday at New Haven People’s Center to plan the activists’ next steps.

Meanwhile, protest speakers on the green finished up their remarks and the crowd dispersed. Many walked back to the march’s starting point where they listened to a speech by Emma Jones , whose son was killed by East Haven police in 1997 after a high-speed chase that ended in New Haven.

Robert O’Donovan, a member of Northeast White Pride, said that the United States was “founded and created by Europeans for Europeans, not for third world people to come here.” He said that immigrants from Latin America bring crime and drugs with them.

“We’re just supporting our local police department,” said East Haven resident Lori Acerra, who stood on the sidewalk with a sign, watching the protesters on the green. “If you’re legal, you’ve got no reason to hide.” She said that in 20 years in East Haven, she had never had or heard a complaint about the police.

Coughlin said that undocumented immigrants create a financial burden on the rest of the American population. “The hardworking citizens of America end up picking up their bills,” he said.

“All we’re asking is for people to obey the law,” Coughlin said. “We welcome legal immigrants, it’s the illegal people we don’t like.”

Across Main Street, a crowd gathered to watch and shout counter-slogans. Among them was Lance Coughlin (pictured), a former East Haven cop who had advertised a rally entitled “Stand up against illegal immigrants” on Facebook . Coughlin said that he had been joined by a small number of supporters and had no affiliation with the white nationalists.

The protesters rallied on the East Haven green, listening to several speakers who gave bullhorn-amplified speeches condemning alleged racial discrimination and violence by East Haven police officers. Among the speakers were New Haven activist Shelton Tucker of People Against Injustice, New Haven peace activist Stephen Kobasa, and Antonio Arizaga from Frente Unido De Immigrantes Ecuatoriano, a national association of Ecuadorian immigrants.

“I’m just done. I’m done with East Haven,” said Maldonado, who moved to the town a year ago from Massachusetts.

Maldonado, who was born in Brooklyn, said that East Haven police have in the past asked him for his “alien card.”

Jessica Maldonado’s father, Dimas Maldonado, later said that his family has suffered discrimination at the hands of East Haven police officers. “Every time I call the police, we get arrested,” he said. He explained that his son has been twice attacked and then arrested or threatened with arrest when he called the police to report the crime.

The outbreak of violence between Maldonado and Fiorentino briefly threatened to derail the march, as protesters stopped marching to chant “Let her go!”and “Shame!” at the police. But order was restored, and the march continued to the town green.

Shouts and insults were exchanged between the protesters and the white nationalists as the march passed by.

Several men wore black bandanas covering their faces. One had a cap that read “Border Patrol” and a swastika tattoo on his forearm. A member of the group later claimed that the members are not white supremacists, but “white nationalists.”

On the left side of Main Street near to the green, a small group of counter-protesters waved flags that read “White Pride Worldwide,” advertising the group that delivered threatening flyers to Latino-owned East Haven businesses in March . Also represented was a group called East Coast White Unity.

Asked about his prosthetic leg, Maruno said that he lost it when he was hit by an East Haven police car in 1997 while he was riding an ATV. He harbors no grudges against East Haven police because of the incident, Maruno said

Lou Maruno said that he works in New Haven’s Fair Haven neighborhood, where he sees a lot of “them” violating traffic laws, like running red lights. Maruno defined “them” as, “people of other ethnic backgrounds.”

“You can’t tell someone’s race from the back of the car,” he said. “East Haven police aren’t doing anything wrong.”

Lou Maruno (pictured) of New Haven’s Morris Cove neighborhood waved an American flag as he stood on the sidewalk with this dog. He said that he was there to stand up for the East Haven police against charges of racism in traffic stops.

The marchers made their way along the one-mile route to East Haven Town Hall. As the protest neared the East Haven green, sidewalk opposition grew.

Just past noon on Saturday, protesters gathered across from the Main Street McDonald’s restaurant on the border between New Haven and East Haven. Carrying signs and banners that said “End Racial Profiling” and “Stop the Attacks,” the group assembled to march. Under close police escort, the crowd moved slowly down one lane of Main Street, chanting slogans in Spanish and English, like “Racist Cops Have Got To Go!” (Click the play arrow to watch scenes from the protest.)

“That perception is exactly that, it’s a perception, as opposed to a reality,” Gallo said before the march. “The numbers don’t indicate any over-arrest of any one group.”

Saturday’s protest march was the latest development in an ongoing controversy in which East Haven police stand accused of discrimination and harassment directed against Latinos. East Haven Police Chief Len Gallo (pictured), who personally escorted the protesters down East Haven’s Main Street, denied allegations that his department is targeting Latinos for arrest and harassment. East Haven Mayor April Capone Almon made a similar denial in a press conference before the rally.

The argument allegedly started after Chelsea Fiorentino yelled an insult at Maldonado, who then crossed the street and confronted her. East Haven police quickly separated the women, placed them under arrest, and kept the march moving. The women were charged with breach of peace and assault; Maldonado was also charged with interfering with an officer.

Two arrests were made following a brief fistfight between a female marcher, Jessica Maldonado of East Haven, and Chelsea Fiorentino, an 18 year-old New Haven woman who was standing with a counter protest made up of members of two white pride organizations. Maldonado’s father, Dimas Maldonado, said that his family has suffered from police harassment. (Click on the play arrow to watch the fight and arrests.)

The protest was organized in response to allegations of ongoing race-based police harassment directed at Latinos in East Haven. Recent allegations include reports that police in East Haven have begun calling federal immigration enforcement when arresting immigrant motorists.

The clash happened during an event organized Saturday by New Haven immigrant advocacy organization Unidad Latina En Acción. More than 100 people marched through the streets of East Haven on Saturday, protesting alleged racial profiling on the part of East Haven police . They met groups of counter-protesters along the way, including a visiting band of white supremacists.

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Posted by: New Haven Resident | August 16, 2009 8:17 AM This story made me incredibly sad and angry. I'll admit that immigration is a tricky issue; I don't think it's terribly clear cut. That said, I think what many Americans forget is that many of us are also the product of immigration. Four of my great-grandparents immigrated from other countries. One chose to assimilate to the point of never teaching his children his native language and becoming an American through and through, which I think is a tragedy. I think people should remember and honor their cultural identity while also embracing that of their adopted country. Two of my great-grandparents never learned English particularly well, which prevented them from being embraced by others from outside of their community, which is equally difficult. Why do so many people choose to forget that they are also the product of immigration, of family members who struggled to find a better life for them in the U.S.? Many of the individuals who have immigrated to the U.S. in recent history are simply trying to do the same thing: Provide a better life for their families, free of oppression, poverty, and fear. Sure, there are some immigrants who are not good people and are engaging in criminal behavior, but the same can be said for some dyed in the wool Americans. Please stop the hatred and ignorance. What are you teaching your children???? As for some of the white supremacists pictured, if you are so proud of your cause, why do you choose to hide your faces like cowards? I think you fear differences and, thus, choose to hate them as opposed to trying to understand them. Ignorance is easy, knowledge is power.

Posted by: tom | August 16, 2009 8:22 AM Fact, a police officer has the legal right to run any license plate he/she wants to. We as American's have no right to privacy with our license plate on the back/front of our vehicle's. If the license plate is checked and comes back unreg, cancell reg. do to no insurance, or misuse, the officers have the right to pull the vehicle over. Now if more vehicle's that are pulled over are Latino's, it is what it is. If East Haven has a section in the town where more of this type of crime is happening, then they need to be in that area. Take care of the small stuff, and your town wont have the big city problems.

Posted by: tom | August 16, 2009 8:41 AM Profiling: We as people all profile. We profile where we want to live, the car we buy, the people we hang out with, etc. Criminals profile, who they will rape, rob, what drug to use, when to do this, how to do it, and where to do it. The police are in the middle of this trying to keep victims away from criminals. So, if you are here illegally, everything about you has to be illegal, no license, no reg. no insurance. The question is, Do you think a person who has no license, reg, insurance will stand by and wait for the police if involved in a motor vehicle accident. If you say yes, please check your facts. I think New Haven had 8000 evading responsilbilities out of 12000 accidents one year.

Posted by: lance | August 16, 2009 10:11 AM meanwhile, back at the ranch.........

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/news_wtnh_shooting_at_new_haven_strip_club

Posted by: RB | August 16, 2009 10:44 AM As a legal immigrant from the Caribbean I fear that the American supporters of illegal aliens do not think through the consequences and should know enough to not support illegal immigration.

Posted by: Jack | August 16, 2009 1:23 PM RB, their position is based on the lie that Immigrants and Illegal Aliens are not two completely different groups of people. Really it's not about Immigrants or Illegal Aliens at all.It's about Leftist Ideology.They become so slavishly wedded to it,that they must become willfully ignorant in order to adhere to it.They are no longer capable of intellectual honesty.They also tend to base their opinions on their emotions, rather than on their intellect.You and I,and all the rest of us must begin to organize. Permanent Residents, Naturalized Citizens, and our friends and families. We must demand that these people stop painting us with the Illegal Alien brush. I bet we could put ten thousand people in front of NH City Hall in no time flat.

Posted by: TIM | August 16, 2009 1:28 PM IT SAYS ON WIKI THAT LATINOS MAKE UP ONLY 6% OF EAST HAVENS POPULATION...IT'D BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT PERCENT OF EAST HAVENS CRIME THEY COMMIT. I WHOLEHEARTDY SUPPORT THE LEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE WORKING HARD TO SUPOORT THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILES, AND THEIR FUTURES. BUT AS FOR UNDOCUMENTED INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMNITY, NOT SO MUCH... I DONT CARE HOW GOOD OF A PERSON YOU ARE. IF YOUR LEGAL, YOUR LEGAL. IF YOUR NOT, YOUR NOT. ITS JUST THAT SIMPLE

Posted by: Amy of SCtIR | August 16, 2009 2:59 PM I am a member of SCTIR. (Southern CT Citizens for Immigration reform.) Our small group attended yesterdays rally "to Support the East Haven Police Dept," against the ridiculous allegations of Racism against Hispanics in E. Haven. MANY of the NUMEROUS CT Hispanic "Pride" Groups screamed "Racism!" when they saw the E.Haven Police "actually doing their jobs...!" The EH PD actually had the Nerve' to arrest and even Deport some "Illegal" Aliens, (i.e. lawbreakers)recently! This is nothing more than "Political Payback"(punishment & a lying attempt to Shame) E. Haven for NOT caving in to providing "AMNESTY" for Illegal Aliens,like they did in New Haven, thanks to the BREAKING of Federal Law by...NH Mayor Destefano for tying the hands "their cops," and preventing "them" from inquiring about the immigration status of anyone stopped or arrested. The same old story...When ANY emotional argument can not be fought & won on a legitimate basis of the facts and the "Rule of Law," um...you know, our Constitution! The RACE BAITERS call foul play, they yell RACISM! ABUSE of Power! "We are not being arrested or deported for the ACTUAL CRIMES or Laws that we actually Broke, but because we are of the ? fill in the blank, race. ... So many good citizens failed to show up to "SUPPORT the RULE OF LAW, and fight FALSE Race Bating accusations for various reasons. The majority of conservative working class people are simply afraid of "the Race Issue." THey would rather lie down our constitution, our laws our very way of life than BE UNCOMFORTABLE fighting for it! Where were you when we needed you, you bystanders? Please don't use the lame excuse that you saw or you "heard the rumor" that those scarry white pride people were there too! OOh, my some one might think you were a part of them, that you were a WWII Skinhead full of rage against the race-dujour! Give me a break! AMNESTY is coming to your town. They will be calling you a racist again,what will you say? Just give them the keys to your town, your home, everything. Its better than STANDING UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT, STANDING UP FOR YOUR COUNTRY, OR WHAT IS NOW LEFT OF IT I GUESS. THANKS FOR NOTHING TO ALL THE TEA PARTY CONSERVATIVES WHO HAD MEETINGS TO GO TO. WE FACED THE ANGRY MOB WHO OUTNUMBERED US 50 TO 1 ...

Posted by: JR | August 16, 2009 3:18 PM This is such a depressing article. For one thing, it's depressing that "Northeast White Pride" exists at all. For another thing, it's depressing that a march for civil rights and against harassment required major police protection (which, judging from the scuffles the broke out even with the police protection, was probably justified). Remember, as New Haven Resident put it above: we are all descended (at least in part) from immigrants. If today's immigrants seem "foreign" and "criminal" to you, just remember that that is how people saw your grandparents, great-grandparents, or whatever. And no, their legal status didn't matter - like the Puerto Ricans in this article, if they looked or sounded different, they got harassed. I'm glad I live in New Haven instead of East Haven. Our city is quite a bit more welcoming of new immigrants!

Posted by: Jack | August 16, 2009 4:28 PM I did not see any signs among the protesters that said "I want to be an American". I did see the flag of the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. This confused me, seeing that they have not immigrated from anywhere, Illegally or otherwise.A few handfuls of Whack-Job Illegal Alien supporters,Whack-Job White Power nuts, and a cat-fight between two High School girls. All in all, a pretty lame affair. Too bad it waisted the time of a dozen Police Officers. I hope they send the bill for it to John D.

Posted by: amy | August 16, 2009 4:42 PM I must respectfully disagree with JR. You bemoan and say "It's depressing that groups like White Pride exist at all..." That just sounds so hypocritical of you!It's truly laughable! But I guess that it is safe to assume that you are "Not depressed" that there are so many Outspoken, UNABASHEDLY RACIALLY PROUD of their...Hispanic, Black,GAY... fill in the race/agenda..."Pride Groups," out there...? Come on! So are Whites not allowed (in your world) to have & Show any RACIAL Pride huh? Are there any "OTHER GROUPS" you dont allow to speak or have RACIAL PRIDE?? WHo are they? IM interested. Wow...you libs are so welcoming of all diverse viewpoints! lol* LA RAZA-the RACE! LA JUNTA, naacp,"Unidad Latina en Accion," adl, jdl... yatta ,yatta...But this embarasses you huh? Such finger pointing & so "righteuos" of you... It's so ironic that you Libs are always the "1st ones to stand up" for the "rights of others' to have Free Speech," as long as it's "the speech that YOU agree with." I honestly don't mean any disrespect to you either. I may not understand & even be ignorant of what a "white pride" group advocates in all of "their tenets," but it just seems ridiculous that you are so willing to call "the LEGAL Citizenry" "unwelcoming" and state that WE LEGAL Citizens who DARE STAND UP for the "RULE of Law," the Consitution, the Legitimate Use of Authority by the E haven Pd for DARING to be so hateful by reesting and deporting these poor oppressed "criminals," to use your words. And Yes they ARE Criminals. Did they come in through the window or through the front door? You really want me to roll over because you can try to scare me with your terrible "R" word? Its not going to fly any more. The Race Card is soo tired and so boring. We are on to you and your kind. because we act like hatemongers? becse as you say, "Todays Immigrants, (I will use the actual , non PC uncorrupted term, ILLEGAL ALIENS)or that

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | August 16, 2009 5:46 PM Hey lance Where was the good police when this went on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8VRaYkoRR0

Posted by: AndersonScooper | August 16, 2009 7:53 PM Where is our political leadership? All of them should be working to diffuse the passions surrounding these situations, and to bring people together, as human beings and neighbors.

Posted by: I Stay West of Bridge | August 16, 2009 9:12 PM With respect to John Lugo and Emma Jones and other organizers, this group was not ready for prime time, and that video is an embarrassment. To Maldanado Senior, you must be so proud of little Jessica. Given your family's history and emotional pain, perhaps you should have kept a tighter reign or left some members home. Also, forgive my wasp ignorance, but if you tell me you are Puerto Rican, I just might "assume" you are "Hispanic". ... To the young woman wearing the red star cap, I am surprised your intentional provocation of 'Staveners and their white supremacist 'Staven wannabees did not result in a rock to your face. Joelle wouldn't say anything to you, but she can surely talk about picking your battles and not doing things that raise the neck hair of your target un-necessarily and detract from your message. All in all, this disorganized mess served as a magnet for fanatics on both sides, and I do hope the planning session at NHPC considers more politically effective, not visually ineffective actions. Personally, I ignore East Haven by spending neither time nor money there. While a fellow Democrat, I find the Mayor to be a nut, and I cannot foresee positive change there in public opinion or police action.

Posted by: proudthroughandthrough | August 16, 2009 9:31 PM I don't think any politician should succumb to the ideology that they need to support illegal immigration based on votes. if you are here illegally you cannot vote! DUH!! the only Hispanic nationality that are allowed to vote are Puerto Ricans and research has proven that they show up to the polls in low numbers to make a difference. And the only other time a foreign born Hispanic is allowed to vote is when they become Naturalized Citizens. You can live all your life as a Permanent Resident in the USA, enjoy all the privileges of citizenship (pay taxes, work legally, have access to social services) but cannot vote at all ....

Posted by: lance | August 16, 2009 10:35 PM three fifths, please explain the relevancy of your post to the topic. thanks. and for those of you comparing the italian immigrants who settled in east haven to today's immigrants, the immigrants of yesteryear didn't get handouts, they didn't get a lower threshold for acceptance to college, or free tuition. nor did they get jobs through minority quota systems. they didn't get section 8, welfare, medicaid, food stamps, free diapers from the government subsidized diaper bank. they didn't get fuel oil assistance, nor were they afforded the luxury of having the ethnicity card in their back pocket if an employer wanted to terminate them for poor performance. they didn't get their homes "weatherized" on the taxpayers dime, nor did they have the luxury of chriss dodd and barney frank strong arming banks to make risky loans to them. the italian immigrants of yesteryear earned everything they got. and quite frankly, i'm dissapointed that the descendants of every single one of them didn't show up to protect what their great grandfathers, grandfathers,and fathers worked so hard for. entitlement programs will be the death of this community if changes are not made. if you look around at all of the cities and states that are going under it is virtually all due to entitlement programs and the unchecked abuses of them. and since the intent of obama and liberals is to increase, not decrease, the amount of freebies, the last thing east haven needs is an influx of 500 or a thousand immigrants well schooled by community organizers like barack obama to drain every dollar they can from these programs, to the detriment of the east haven taxpayer. and this isn't even taking into account the criminal problem. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_Luis_Polanco_Rodr%C3%ADguez new haven is happy to have illegals, east haven is not. and it looks like ehpd will continue to be dilligent. if the illegals try to break our doors down to gain entry into town, i am hopeful the town government and all its entities, along with the citizen our community, will resist. I'm not hating the illegal immigration player per se, but i'm definitely hating the game.

Posted by: Fonseca | August 17, 2009 12:00 AM It continues to amaze me the we expect to enjoy the so called benefits of globalized capitalism, yet folks get personally offended when human beings are forced to migrate in globalized patterns. I watched a "White Pride" character wearing clothes probably made in Honduras waving a USA flag made in China. Can he possibly blame a worker for following that pattern? We manipulate, exploit, and oppress people in "developing" countries and become angry when large populations of people migrate away from manipulation,exploitation, and oppression. It has been said, "Do not trade humanity for patriotism." Venceremos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: D.M.V | August 17, 2009 12:31 AM This truly is a sad situation. What we have on one side was a really diverse group of people, black, white, arab, asian, latino, men, women, children, young and old, and of many different sexual orientations and other genders. A real representation of the diversity of human beings. A real representation human beings sharing a common cause and interest while all supporting and working ih eachother On other side we have a bunch of white people, a bunch of white nationalist brats who are to afraid and heartless to share the world with everyone else in it. I agree that, in this world, you should not be ashamed of who you are, but you should know you are not the only one in the world. One of my friends said it best. He said that in life there should basically only be one rule and that is to just be excellent to eachother.



Posted by: JR | August 17, 2009 12:45 AM Wow Amy, you're really onto something. "Northeast White Pride" is just like a black or Latino group or a "gay pride" group, except white. I totally stand corrected! I was so confused! Here I was thinking that a group calling itself "Northeast White Pride" actually had a connection to the white nationalist movement and the neo-Nazi movement. I wonder why I thought that? Maybe it was, oh, I don't know, let's see, the massive, instantly-recognizable Stormfront hate group logo on all the Northeast White Pride signs (the white celtic cross on black with the words White Pride around the side) which is usually used by white power skinheads... or maybe it was the fact that Rob O'Donovan, who founded Northeast White Pride, has a long history in the white nationalist hate group world, with prior groups like White Revolution... or maybe it was the fact that the people quoted in this article openly admit that they're "white nationalists" that was the give-away. Um... how do you explain that one away? Not to dwell on the obvious, but there's a pretty big difference between fighting to be allowed to be a part of society, and fighting to STOP other people from being part of society. I know that's a really tough distinction for some people to grasp. But when a Puerto Rican family stands up for the right to live in East Haven without being harassed, and then some white nationalist group stands up for, in effect, the right to harass them until they leave town (because they're not white enough, even though they're American citizens), the sides aren't exactly mirror images of each other. It's a message of love versus a message of hate, a message that we can all live together versus a message of racial conflict. Amy, you should really be ashamed of yourself for trying to equate a White Pride hate group with groups that just want tolerance. Either you know better, and are being deliberately obnoxious, or you really don't know any better, in which case, that is truly a sad and disturbing commentary on the poor state of our educational system. Yikes.

Posted by: nfjanette | August 17, 2009 1:03 AM The argument allegedly started after Chelsea Fiorentino yelled an insult at Maldonado, who then crossed the street and confronted her. Confronted her with a step-in kick and a right cross to the head, as seen in the video. After the protest had dissipated, business owner Wilfred Matute was in the back of My Country Store, wiping up a spill in one of his coolers. Matute had watched as the march passed by, but he said that the he did not support the event. It will only create more problems, he said. One of the few rational views offered regarding this ill-advised protest that was certain to setup violent confrontations. The simple facts remain: unlicensed, uninsured drivers operating unregistered vehicles pose an active threat to our communities, and many of those drivers are illegal immigrants. Now, given the facts, how as a society will we address the problems caused by this group of people? I support the active efforts of law enforcement to keep these people off the street - but the scope of these problems extends far beyond East Haven. Despite all of the flaws and compromises involved, only by crafting a legal path to citizenship, with both its rights and responsibilities, will there be a reasonable chance of affecting positive change for these problems on a national scale.

Posted by: bill | August 17, 2009 8:28 AM JR and New Haven Resident are confused. They are equating people who legally immigrated to the U.S. is not the same as people who came here illegally. Look up anything about Ellis Island and you will see that immigrants were checked against lists to make sure undesirables were not entering, they were given health exams and IQ exams. At least 5% were sent back and not allowed to enter. That is how legal immigration works. Stop the left wing propaganda trying to tie legal immigrants with illegals.

Posted by: MORRIS COVE MOM | August 17, 2009 8:30 AM I'm confused by everything that happened at the march, and by all of the posts above. Surely there must be a better way than an ill-organized march? Are there town meetings open to the public in East Haven? Do immigration supporters attend those, or are they too afraid? While I understand that native-born Americans and naturalized American immigrants are frustrated with illegals avoiding taxes, fluency, etc., I do not understand the depth of their anger. As a native-born American of a South American immigrant, I have always applauded my mother's hard work to be fluent immediately upon entering the U.S., and her long road to citizenship. She always had a green card, an above-the-board job, and has paid taxed from day one. Seeing that we have a massive tax evasion problem here in Connecticut, and not enough space in local schools for all area children, I would push for immigration laws that cover these areas, out of concern for community and general public welfare, not intolerance and hate. I may look 100% white, but soy una ecua.

Posted by: robn | August 17, 2009 8:56 AM "...the United States was "founded and created by Europeans for Europeans, not for third world people to come here." Robert O'Donovan, a member of Northeast White Pride Hmmm? Third world hispanics? Isn't Spain part of Europe? I'm confused.

Posted by: Donna | August 17, 2009 9:24 AM I lived in East Haven for a long time.

We always had a bad rap for being racist.

My daughter dated a black man.

We had bricks thrown at our house broken windows.

The police never were racist.Why do people pick on East Haven.If you got to know alot of East Haven people you wouldn't call us or our police department racist.

Posted by: Aggravated | August 17, 2009 9:54 AM JR - You speak of tolerance.... ? Where is YOUR tolerance for OUR views. White people that do NOT want to mix with other races are a problem for you? We want to live amongst our own... and yet you have an issue with that. Why? It's not like the record number of ILLEGALS are coming here to absorb OUR cultures, respect our country, and make it a nicer place. Hell, most do not even have enough respect to learn the damn language. Yet, we are wrong in your eyes for wanting our own land. Meanwhile it's ok to keep allowing millions of ILLEGALS to stay here... MS-13 is growing in numbers daily. How dare White people have a safe homeland. ILLEGALS ... are breaking the law. You seem to have an issue with anyone who does not regurgitate the party line. I seriously hope that all the upstanding White citizens will see the BS in this... we are standing up for YOUR rights. ...

Whites will not just lay down and take this force fed garbage any longer. We are waking up from our media induced slumber.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | August 17, 2009 10:25 AM Hey Lance If you would look at the you tube it show relevancy. I see you like to point the finger

at one group when it comes to the drug trade. Lance if you was a police officer as you say, Than

you should know that everyone of all races are in the Illegal drug trade.In fact check this out. http://radioislam.org/crime/drugs/mexicomobsters.htm http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/russian-mafia-marches-on-paradise-1357502.html Hey lance we can not forget good old american Citizen Oliver North. http://www.drugwar.com/castillonorth.shtm

Posted by: lance | August 17, 2009 10:26 AM it's troubling that the independent edited out part of the fight video...you know, that part where the Unidad Latina En Accion marcher vehemently struggled with the cops trying to arrest her, and the black dude trying to prevent the cops from getting to her. or maybe the camera battery just died at that point and kicked back on when that part was over, who knows.

as far as the white nationalism thing, i don't agree with it at all. but it's funny how it was okay for obama to go to a black nationalist church for twenty years, and be so enthralled by it's racist anti-white leader jeremiah wright that he was driven to write a book and entitle it after one of jeremiah wright's sermons. also, it should be noted that obama's charitable giving was nil until he was preparing for a white house run, at which point he gave 25,000 to jeremiah wright's anti-white church. here is the original text of the tenets of obama's church prior to it being cleansed off the trinity church website in preparation for obama's run: "Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the Black Value System written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee chaired by Vallmer Jordan in 1981. We believe in the following 12 precepts and covenantal statements. These Black Ethics must be taught and exemplified in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They must reflect on the following concepts: 1. Commitment to God 2. Commitment to the Black Community 3. Commitment to the Black Family 4. Dedication to the Pursuit of Education 5. Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence 6. Adherence to the Black Work Ethic 7. Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect 8. Disavowal of the Pursuit of "Middleclassness" 9. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Black Community 10. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions 11. Pledge allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System 12. Personal commitment to embracement of the Black Value System."

CRAZY, HUH?

Posted by: streever | August 17, 2009 10:34 AM I Stay West of Bridge:

I agree with your opinion on the Mayor of East Haven. She ran promising to get rid of Gallo, and realizing that she lacked the ability to do so, has switched to supporting him no matter what. However, I think you misunderstand the comment by the American citizen born in Puerto Rico--as an american born citizen, he is upset that he's stopped by town (municipal) police and harassed for an alien card. He is being put in a position which the EHPD do not have a right to put him in-- As Chief Gallo points out, FEDERAL immigration laws exist, not municipal, and NO citizen is required to carry proof of being a natural citizen by birth, as the man in this story is. If East Haven cops started stopping me on the street & demanding my "alien card" I would be out of luck--I do not carry my birth certificate, nor do I have an alien card, being an american born natural citizen of european descent. Imagine if you were stopped by police in the streets & required to demonstrate an alien card. Police have no right to do this by law, & the accused have no recourse if they are american born citizens who would not have an "alien card". If this is the type of uninformed & illegal stop procedure used by EHPD, I fully understand the need to protest & address this. Police can not stop you because you look foreign, just as they can not stop you because you are young, or old, or male or female.

Posted by: JMS | August 17, 2009 10:47 AM D.M.V... "One of my friends said it best. He said that in life there should basically only be one rule and that is to just be excellent to each other." Period... end of story... it's that simple. Every other rule, law, edict or commandment is just the fine print. JMS

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | August 17, 2009 11:36 AM Hey Lance ,How about John Mccain and Good old Pastor Hagee.

http://crooksandliars.com/2008/03/21/john-mccain-sought-pastor-hagees-endorsement#comment-489123 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hagee http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/29/john-hagees-mccain-endors_n_89189.html And we can't forget good old Sarah Palin and Husband and the good old Alaska Independence Party.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/07/the-odd-lies-of-sarah-palin-xxxi-todd-and-the-aip.html

Posted by: The Count | August 17, 2009 11:44 AM Hmmm....Immigrants, Malik Jones, the NAACP, Tweed-New Haven Airport. And then East Haveners shrug off their "image" problem like it's EVERYONE ELSE'S fault?

Posted by: Bobby S. | August 17, 2009 12:07 PM D.M.V... "One of my friends said it best. He said that in life there should basically only be one rule and that is to just be excellent to each other."

-----

I completely agree, sounds like a good idea. a) I pay my taxes as do most of the LEGAL citizens of the United States. These taxes are used for benefits such as roads, libraries, social services and infrastructure within the US. If you are ILLEGAL, you are using these services for free while others foot the bill.

Welfare for U.S. citizens is necessary, but my tax dollars should not subsidize Mexico's economic problems. It is not very "excellent" to make the hardworking, taxpaying citizens of the United States pay for services enjoyed and ruined by noncontributing Illegals. b) If you are an ILLEGAL immigrant, you are not allowed to have a US Driver's license and not obligated to carry accident insurance. When illegals hit pedestrians and other cars, they are not held responsible because they are off the grid.

If a member of your family was hit by an illegal who then crawled back into his hidey-hole leaving you to pay for their health care, you might feel differently.

Life comes with responsibilities, face up to them.

If you can't or won't buy insurance for collisions, don't drive! If you think this is a non-issue, go here:

http://imagegallery.webspawner.com/listGallery.asp c) Hospitals and Health Care Services can not operate on no money. Doctors, Nurses and staff have to be paid for their time and knowledge. Every time an Illegal shows up at the Emergency Clinic, the paid Insurance for American citizens goes up. At some point, the taxpayers will be overburdened beyond their means and economic collapse will occur. Fact: Illegals do not contribute to this system, but yet they expect free health care. d) Follow the laws that exist. These laws were put in place to make life safe and fair to all. Only criminals and those taking unfair advantage need fear the police. This is the United States, not a free-for-all.

If you don't want to follow the law, you may as well live in chaos. e) There are laws already to allow LEGAL immigration. These are in place to assure that a country has sufficient resources and sustenance for the existing population. If you ignore this, deficit spending and ECONOMIC FAILURE "might" result. If you don't want to do it legally, don't be offended if a police officer arrests you for BREAKING THE LAW. Everyone should follow the law and take responsibility for their actions.

That, I think, would be an "excellent" way to live.

Posted by: Sarah | August 17, 2009 12:08 PM Love the Communist hats on the marchers.

That just about shows where they are coming from.

Posted by: zzz05 | August 17, 2009 12:37 PM Looking at those "white pride" folks makes me embarassed to be white.

Posted by: Drew | August 17, 2009 12:55 PM Posted by: lance | August 16, 2009 10:11 AM meanwhile, back at the ranch.........

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/news_wtnh_shooting_at_new_haven_strip_club Not sure where you're coming from on this one... are you implying that Latinos are the ones responsible for this crime? Funny, I don't see any mention of names or descriptions of the victims/perpetrators that would even remotely imply that anyone involved is Latino. Back to the issue of the protest and counter protest... I think one of the most disturbing things about the whole situation (and something that a lot of people are overlooking) is that the march was not about immigration, it was about the way a large group of people feels they're being treated by the police. While I don't agree with the point of view of the White Pride (or whatever they're calling themselves) groups that were there, they do have the right to free speech. However, the ridiculous thing is that they were there counter-protesting a protest that wasn't even happening. They weren't there to show their support for the police, they were there to provoke the situation that luckily only occurred on a minor scale between the two women. Watching the last minute of the video with the elderly couple shouting "Go Home" to all the marchers (and I doubt by "home" they meant their houses) made me feel sick. This wasn't a group of illegal immigrants protesting for free handouts, tax evasion, or whatever else the anti-immigration groups are so afraid of... it was a group of people, most likely consisting of legal immigrants, illegal immigrants, and natural born citizens alike, who were voicing their concern about their treatment by those who uphold the law.

Posted by: D.M.V | August 17, 2009 12:59 PM JMS its at least a start, a foundation to what human interaction and culture should revolve around. Sadly it isn't. If there is a group that is propping itself up above other groups of people and claiming political and social power over others that propping in itself should be an enemy of all people. No matter what that group claims to power are that should not be allowed. The world is made up of different people and it should work for all of them not just some with wacky claims of benevolence or whatever. I think this is the root problem in society and culture at large and why I think the basic foundations need to change. There is no better foundation to build upon then being excellent to each other. I don't think we have any other options if we ever want to live in a sane world.

Posted by: Been Called Worse | August 17, 2009 1:13 PM Amy of SCtIR - Whatever "point" you are trying to "make" gets lost in use of all the "supposed" "quotes" for your "rebutal".

Posted by: georgedaddio | August 17, 2009 1:52 PM If you want to live in the U.S. you must learn to speak english. If you don't want to LEAVE. We welcome anyone who Obeys our laws.

Posted by: Kim Hynes | August 17, 2009 3:24 PM Strangely enough, I have searched and searched for a law that makes it illegal not to learn to speak English in the United States, but have failed to find it. GeorgeDaddio, if you have a link to the law -please provide it. It will come as a shock to the more than 500,000 deaf people in the U.S. who use American Sign Langugage as their primary language, that they have been doing something illegal!

Posted by: Born in New Haven | August 17, 2009 4:16 PM I want to thank "Amy of SCTIR" / "Amy" for really clarifying something. Anti-immigration groups sometimes try to say they have NOTHING to do with white nationalism / "White Pride" groups at all. But then every so often the mask comes off. Amy, your defense of white nationalist hate groups really tells me all I need to know about so-called "Southern Connecticut Citizens for Immigration Reform." (More like Southern Connecticut White Nationalists, apparently.) By the way, I'm all for immigration reform - we clearly have a broken system right now - but whatever "reform" you're for, I'll be sure to be against. And in the meantime, can we all agree that it's bad for cops to harass Hispanic folks just because they suspect some of them might be illegal immigrants?

Posted by: George White | August 17, 2009 5:09 PM White nationalists hide their faces for several reasons. One being that when self-described 'anti-fascists' show up, they take pictures of the peoples faces and pass them around the internet. Many Nationalists have been attacked by 'anti-fascists' while they walk the streets on a normal day, sometimes while the individuals family is present. Another reason is fear of governmental reprisal. Yes, we have the right to 'free speech', however, when the government takes a record of what you say and creates a data base, you are somewhat blacklisted and they harass you.

Of course, these are not things that are reported in the mainstream media. I wonder why that is...

Posted by: Drew | August 17, 2009 6:16 PM George: Those are interesting stories you have. Since "the mainstream media" is not reporting these as you say, do you mind providing links to your non-mainstream sources that document all of these supposed assaults on innocent White Nationalists? I'm sorry, but I have a feeling that every media outlet would LOVE to report the hell out of any story that involves violence and race... no matter who is the victim and perpetrator.

Posted by: Russ | August 17, 2009 9:23 PM It's unfortunate that "journalists" like Ms. O'Leary are incapable of reporting the truth. It's hard to determine why they always mis-report these events. Is it the profit motive, incompetence, or something more sinister? I don't know, but for anyone who wants a more accurate depiction of Saturday's rally and counter-protest from someone who was, not only there, but involved in the planning of the of the counter-protest by the White rights advocacy group, North East White Pride, you can visit my blog at: http://friendsofwhitecultureandheritage.blogspot.com/2009/08/anti-american-rally-in-east-haven-ct.html

Posted by: Russ | August 17, 2009 9:24 PM It's unfortunate that "journalists" like Mr. MacMillan are incapable of reporting the truth. It's hard to determine why they always mis-report these events. Is it the profit motive, incompetence, or something more sinister? I don't know, but for anyone who wants a more accurate depiction of Saturday's rally and counter-protest from someone who was, not only there, but involved in the planning of the of the counter-protest by the White rights advocacy group, North East White Pride, you can visit my blog at: http://friendsofwhitecultureandheritage.blogspot.com/2009/08/anti-american-rally-in-east-haven-ct.html

Posted by: Kimber J. | August 17, 2009 9:26 PM If you think there is not a double standard on what the media reports (black killing white vs. white killing black), you are sorely misinformed. www.colorofcrime.com will show you that whites are most often the victims even when you take the relative percentage of US citizens by racial groups into account. But this is accepted because it is not "racist" to attack a white. Take a look at the viciousness and animal brutality trial going on right now in Tennessee.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/aug/17/

guilty-carjackslayings-suspect-lawyer-admits-he-fa/

(sorry for the wrap-around)

Compare that to the media feeding frenzy that occurred during the Don Imus "Nappy head" or Duke Lacrosse rape accusations and the bias becomes immediately obvious. Now I am not a racist or a "white nationalist", but I can not ignore the truth when it is right in front of my face. Do I wish we could live in harmony? Yes, but I don't see it happening anytime soon. In a free country, every citizen's opinion is valid, not just yours.

Posted by: Alex | August 17, 2009 11:08 PM Lance you need to take a good look at your self and values, they are really warped. Really disgusting distortions.

Posted by: Slightly Troubled | August 17, 2009 11:17 PM Fonseca is probably one of the only ones who blogged that actually looked at the economic factors that have caused this situation.

As a naturalized citizen, who had a long road to citizenship I can honestly say that most people that I personally know immigrated because they felt they had no other choice.

Over the years I have supported many pro-immigrant marches, and civil rights marches at great risk to myself...yet I did not participate in this one.

It is very telling that the owner of the store who was at the very center of this issue being brought to light did not participate , nor did Father Manship, who is an ardent supporter of immigrant rights.

I hope that both sides will find some commom interests or concerns and work towards improvement in a society we share. Better schools for our kids, good roads, health care... the important issues.

Posted by: kamb | August 17, 2009 11:26 PM The E.H.P.D. did nothing wrong. What is happening to our society when people who BREAK THE LAW protest our officers who uphold our laws?! America is going to hell in a hand-basket, right before our very eyes.

Posted by: kamb | August 17, 2009 11:34 PM WOW. Just watched the video. I think the White Power People are just as must a pain in the A@# as the Illegal Immigrants. BOTH have no positive purpose in our society. BUT BUT BUT, why did the white power lady get arrested after she was attacked by the (looks like) pro-illegal immigrant lady? The THE TOP OIT OFF the illegal immigrant coalition is vhanting 'let het go" ?!?!?! This is an obvious bush-league protest. BOTH white supremicists and Illegals should be deported!!!

Posted by: Mr. Ben | August 18, 2009 12:11 AM Sad story. The comments are even more disheartening. You remember the Sherlock Holmes story about the dog that didn't bark? Funny how none of these proud white folks (whoops, Proud White People) supporting East Haven seem to mind out of state Nazi dirtbags finding a nest to roost in. "Wallingford". You might look it up. Even Wallyworld figured out that the "White Pride" tourism just isn't worth the baggage. And even Ann could probably figure out that Wallingford hasn't exactly been overrun by illegals, etc. i am tempted to imitate the semi-literate CAPITALIZE "EVERYTHING" put random words in quotes... but I seem to have more respect for the English language than a lot of white nationalists, who don't even deserve proper noun status. @JR: Nicely put. @Lance: Do you even LIVE in this 3rd world cesspool, that is my beloved hometown? And manage to live in, without all this OMIGOD IM WHITE I'M SCARED!!!! nonsense? And if you do... WHY? It sounds like you'd be much happier in parts of Idaho.

Posted by: LastStraw | August 18, 2009 12:44 AM Per the norm, nearly every post in defense of the EHPD or racism or white nationalism is rife with poor grammar and spelling issues. I am always amused by this. Where are the SHARPs when we need them?

Posted by: Kandee Mccormack | August 18, 2009 8:43 AM I was one of the so called "White Supremacists" at that counter protest. I would like to set the record straight. This post is directed at KAMB We were there to protest the illegal flood of immigrants that are slowly turning this once great country into a third world cesspool. Have you EVER looked at the FBI's crime statistics? I encourage you to do this. I am not going anywhere! My family has been in this country for over 250 years, they pioneered the state of CA, yes they arrived in wagon trains. This is my county, as of right now we have free speech, and those of you who would like to stifle that should "look before they leap".



Posted by: streever | August 18, 2009 8:51 AM Laststraw:

their inability to accept people of other cultures and color shows their lack of education--and their inability to spell/use proper english grammar proves it. I find it even more interesting that in they abuse english in the same paragraphs in which they rail against immigrants for "not knowing english". Perhaps it takes one to know one. I'd rather communicate with someone who was trying to write proper english then a lazy racist who isn't even able to properly spell or write in their own native language.

Posted by: Bill Heinrichs | August 18, 2009 9:20 AM The impasse among the differing views on illegal immmigration will remain in the stalled position of the sides talking past each other so long as the federal government fails to address this complex set of problems. Those who are in the United States illegally will continue to find support and advocates who will take up their cause. The hate groups will step in wherever there is a vacuum they can fill. The police will do what they are supposed to do, which is to enforce the laws, including motor vehicle laws. The problem in East Haven is merely one iteration of a national struggle which will continue unabated until Congress revisits our immigation laws.

Posted by: Drew | August 18, 2009 10:12 AM Hah, I love that people are still talking about this as if it was a pro-immigration march rather than a statement of how Latinos, both citizens and illegal alike, feel they're being treated by the police.

Posted by: mike45 | August 18, 2009 12:55 PM Reply to streever: English? As in he put english on the cue ball?

Posted by: lance | August 18, 2009 1:32 PM three fifths, you posted a youtube video about some cops in the 1930's. channeling positive k, my response is I'm not tryin' to hear that g, what's that got to do wit me? and don't even try to compare the close relationship between jeremiah wright and obama to hagee and mccain. also, in regard to the link i posted about the violence in new haven, i'm well aware that the participants in the shootings were not hispanic. the reason i posted it is because you liberals are arguing that east haven should be more like new haven in terms of law enforcement, and my counter argument is that if the east haven police department is so inferior in it's policies and enforcement then why is it that EH is a much safer city than NH? and alex, thanks for that enlightening statement with nothing to back it up. and yes ben, i live in EH. i'd hardly call it a 3rd world cesspool. there is a lot of white trash though.

Posted by: The Count | August 18, 2009 2:28 PM Everybody supports the cops until it's THEIR kid that gets picked up by the law.

Posted by: Jack | August 18, 2009 2:46 PM Mr. Streever, I find it very interesting that a person that cannot distinguish the difference between an Immigrant and an Illegal Alien,would accuse someone else of ignorance. Please excuse my spelling and grammatical mistakes

Posted by: Mr. Ben | August 18, 2009 10:38 PM "Beloved hometown" is New Haven, which you routinely refer to in your inflammatory invective. Somehow, not surprised by your residence, which has earned a certain reputation. I'm sure that's all an invention of the Liberal Media. Nice hospitals and universities you have in East Haven. Sorry about the massive chunks of tax exempt real estate, and the consequently high mil rate. Tell you what: next time I need hardware, I'll go somewhere else than 'Staven. And if, god forbid, you ever need serious medical care, you'll go to Greenwich Hospital. (White folks there, its safe--- though they might find you a little low-class and embarrassing.) Its pretty clear that you find New Haven useless; what on Earth makes you think New Haven needs or even wants you around? Stay in your Clean White Homeland... though I suspect it will attract more and more people whose "white nationalism" might be offensive even to you. Racist, much? Pretty clear you don't like black and brown folks, to put it mildly--- which is frankly more pathetic than offensive, but your problem, not mine. Good luck with that. And good luck with your new buddies: maybe you can toast a marshmallow or two on the cross.

Posted by: Rob | August 18, 2009 10:42 PM What folks fail to realize is that when our American forefathers emigrated to this country it was virtually wide open, with thousands of jobs waiting eagerly to be filled by even unskilled laborers from anywhere they could be found. The industrial revolution needed warm bodies for fuel, and those bodies became the backbone of American culture. The current economic crisis is just one example of why we no longer need MILLIONS of immigrants coming to this nation. We simply don't have the space for them, and certainly don't have the employment for them. They are not needed, as our grandfathers and great-grandfathers were. We are currently experiencing the complete opposite of the industrial revolution as jobs are LEAVING this country at the same time millions of unskilled workers are moving in. To equate the invasion of this country by illegal aliens with the LEGAL immigration of the last century is disingenuous. The two are polar opposites. One wave of immigration was necessary and helped to BUILD this great nation, while the current invasion by illegals and unskilled and uneducated laborers is a detriment and helping to DESTROY our nation. WAKE UP AMERICA BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! People like the North East White Pride, SCTiR and others who are angry over seeing their communities ruined have a reason to be angry. They are not simply "rednecks" who blindly hate people without reason. They realize that their children are at risk because of this immigration crisis and their children are the ones who will be paying for it their entire lives. For the sake of this nation we must stop the importation of unskilled labor from nations which do not share our culture, and refuse to adapt to our way of life. We must especially be vigilant against those who would enter our nation illegally, the very act of which is a violation of the law and order for which we stand!

Posted by: Mr. Ben | August 18, 2009 11:57 PM Born In New Haven: Exactly. You seem sharp enough that I doubt that you are Shocked (SHOCKED!) that there is gambling going on... It doesn't take a lot of dialogue for the masks to come off, so to speak. Very, very ugly stuff, and I am appalled that it has become normalized. I love my country, warts and all, and I strongly think this racist ooze coming out of the woodwork in the age of his O-Ness revolting, un-American, and unacceptable. We are all in the same damn boat, and its high time that we finally figure that out. Some of you, apparently, are pleased because the police can still in a lot of places do rotten, unfair mean spirited things to the "Other". And content with just about anything, as long as you are made to feel special and privileged. What has that done, to make your lives better? Does it raise your self esteem, that there's someone lower than you to dump on? You are like Cockney laborers in the 1890s, worked to death for starvation wages but still happy that you're "better" than Indian Princes with millions of pounds sterling. Because you're WHITE! At least you have that. Bully for you! I'd write it off as pathetic pathology, but as it happens, these cretinous ideas do me and my country harm. I have no illusions that I will change a single mind here, but still feel that I should call this garbage out when I see it, as tiresome as that gets.

Posted by: Tim | August 19, 2009 4:33 PM The woman with the Puerto Rican flag suddenly attacked the other woman!

Posted by: nfjanette | August 19, 2009 5:52 PM I have no illusions that I will change a single mind here, but still feel that I should call this garbage out when I see it, as tiresome as that gets. Garbage? As in the straw men and red herrings you just wrote in that manifesto? Is it beyond your belief and comprehension that someone could have a rational, well-reasoned centrist view on this issues rather than one polarized to either extreme? Believing that the current state of illegal immigration poses numerous threats to the the health, welfare, and safety of both the immigrants and citizens is not an inherently racist statement. Among other things, it is exactly because I do care about the lives of other people that I fight against illegal immigration; dieing of dehydration in the dessert while trying to sneak into this country to act as near-slave labor without many legal protections is not a fate anyone should support. I want a secure border to stop both these potential victims as well as other highly undesirable people (e.g. drug trafficking, terrorists, etc.) from entering this country I also want a rational path to immigration for the millions of existing illegal immigrants that will both penalize them (i.e. monetary fines) and not penalize people who have been waiting far too long to legally immigrate. We need to take this debate to the national level and come up with new programs and rules for permanent and temporary (i.e. "seasonal workers") immigrants that will more realistically address the current state of affairs.

Posted by: Ramon F Herrera | August 19, 2009 8:14 PM

There are more than 900 hate groups that have been identified and tracked in the USA. - About 10 or so are composed by blacks

- A few are composed by Mormons

- One is made of Latinos (Aztlanistas in California)

- The rest are white supremacists, KKK, etc. The hate groups led by white people outnumber the hate group (singular) led by Hispanics by about 1000 to 1 ratio. http://www.nclr.org/

Posted by: Dana | August 19, 2009 8:39 PM To Ben : To quote you : "You are like Cockney laborers in the 1890s, worked to death for starvation wages but still happy that you're "better" than Indian Princes with millions of pounds sterling. Because you're WHITE! At least you have that. Bully for you!" "Stay in your Clean White Homeland... though I suspect it will attract more and more people whose "white nationalism" might be offensive even to you. Racist, much? Pretty clear you don't like black and brown folks, to put it mildly--- which is frankly more pathetic than offensive, but your problem, not mine. Good luck with that." "I love my country, warts and all, and I strongly think this racist ooze coming out of the woodwork in the age of his O-Ness revolting, un-American, and unacceptable." "I have no illusions that I will change a single mind here, but still feel that I should call this garbage out when I see it, as tiresome as that gets.

Me: "Racist, much? Pretty clear YOU don't like WHITE FOLKS, to put it mildly-"

Funny, all this coming from the same guy... are you sure you really know what racism is all about, Ben ? Racism is not the one way street some folk seem to think it is. Think about it.

Posted by: kamb | August 20, 2009 7:52 AM Only in America can people complain about the cops when they do their job. The EHPD is being accused of getting unregistered, uninsured, and unlicensed drivers off the road AND PEOPLE COMPLAIN!?!?! Whats wrong with you people? Support your officers when they do their job! Then you wonder how cops get cynical and sit around and turn the other cheek.

Posted by: WhatSup | August 20, 2009 12:57 PM FACT CHECK Kandee Mccormack, sorry to stop you in mid brag, but your people were not the first to pioneer CA. I can understand people's ignorance of history, but the fact is that CA was pioneer by a Spanish Franciscan fiar, Junipero Sierra, who established a chain of missions in what is now CA. This chain of missions went northly, established not more than one day's ride between them, and openned up the area that is today known as CA. Lance, what was the real reason you left the employ of the PD? Do tell.

Posted by: Reina | August 26, 2009 10:29 PM hispanos unidos jamas seran vencidos !!!!