You see, this really wasn't a protest but rather a publicity stunt by a bunch of extremists who would rather ALL immigrant to leave the area, not just the ones here illegally. Nobody who lived in Danbury and wasn't a member of the CTCIC came to show their support while many people from the area show their support for the counter-protestors. I walked around the area surrounding Kennedy park and honestly couldn't find one person off the street who supported Paul Streitz and his whackpack.
Now first, lets read the story as reported by The Hartford Courant (which personally, I think is the most accurate):
From the Hartford Courant
DANBURY -- Small groups of protesters rallied nationwide Saturday against illegal immigration and lax border security, demanding the government penalize employers who hire illegal workers.
The so-called "Stop the Invasion" protests were organized in 19 states, but in several cities only a smattering of opponents of illegal immigration turned out.
[...]
In Danbury, Conn., about 50 people calling themselves the Connecticut Citizens for Immigration Control spent about two hours chanting and holding signs that read "Arrest Illegal Employers."
Paul Streitz, who organized the demonstrations, said members believe illegal immigrants are taking jobs from citizens while driving down property values.
"This is not a racist thing," said Daniel Anastasia, 46, a construction worker from Westchester, N.Y. "We pay taxes, they don't. I get paid what the union says. The contractor pays them cash. It's not fair to me."
From the New Haven Register:
An anti-illegal immigrant group staged a "Stop the Invasion" protest in a city park Saturday, squaring off against counterprotesters as each side shouted slogans and waved signs.
The rally by about 50 members and supporters of Connecticut Citizens for Immigration Control (CTCIC) was part of a coordinated protest done in 20 states by 37 immigration control groups.
[...]
"What is going on every day here at Kennedy Park is a criminal activity," said Streitz. "The illegals are criminals by being here and people who employ them are criminal as well, that’s against federal law. Political polls show that in general, people want the illegals out and they should be deported. The illegals to me are not doing something immoral; it’s just that our government doesn’t enforce the laws."
Christopher Towne, a member of Danbury’s Peace Coalition, participated in the counter-demonstration.
"We want to support them. They are our neighbors, they’re our friends," he said.
He said the CTCIC’s efforts are "Not going to fly. It’s not going to be fruitful, because if you don’t have the people’s support it’s not going to happen."
Now the News-Times:
About 100 people stood on either side of Kennedy Avenue on Saturday morning, police officers and barricades dividing them.
On one side, a protest group held signs reading, "Speak English," and "Arrest Criminal Employers."
Made up of state immigration control groups, including the Connecticut Citizens for Immigration Control (CTCIC), the group wants the government and city to do a better job enforcing immigration laws to rid the city of illegal immigrants who the group says put a strain on the economy.
On the other side of Kennedy Avenue, people protesting the protesters held signs bearing phrases like "Igualdad Justicia," which means "Justice and Equality."
Some belonging to the Danbury Peace Coalition and Latinos United In Action, they wanted to express that all people deserve the opportunity to live and work in the United States.
[...]
In the last year, immigration issues have heated up in Danbury, with Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton deputizing police officers in April 2005 as immigration officers. That same month, the CTCIC held a meeting in Danbury, using the city as an example of a place where immigration laws were not enforced.
"I am here as an American, not as a racist," said 19-year-old Geoff Caravella of Bethel. "This is not a racial matter."
If immigrants are allowed to be here illegally and not pay taxes, what is the incentive for them to become legal? he asked.
"No one is taking away the fact they are hard working people. Immigrants just need to do it legitimately," said Caravella, a college student, who said he worked with immigrants before.
A 20-year-old man speaking Spanish, who would only give his first name, Euclides, said, "We are here to work. We are not terrorists. I am here out of necessity of my family."
[...]
The father who has two kids and a wife in Ecuador, came to the U.S. in 2005 with his brothers, ages 17 and 19. They get jobs doing everything from landscaping and construction to cleaning.
"I am offended because we are human beings just like they are," Euclides said. "As human beings, we all fundamentally seek a better life."
Now, you can go and read all of the articles if you wish but like I said before, no one that I can tell from Danbury WHO WASN"T ALREADY A MEMBER OF THE CTCIC showed up to give their support to the protestors.
A 19-year old kid is talking about immigration laws? Is that the best the News-Times could do in getting a quote from someone locally? Although the News-Times reporter got a quote from a immigrant in Danbury, you would think that someone representing the city's newspaper would be able to get more viewpoints from immigrants in the area, and less viewpoints from protestors who are barely able to vote (the first question the reporter should of asked the little Bethel boy was if he is registered to vote or if any of his family members are a member of the CTCIC). Since she is working for the News-Times, she should have an advantage in reporting the news over the guys at the Register and the Courant.
Like I said in my earlier posts, this event was a joke and a waste of time. The pictures in the News-Times don't really give portray the rally as it really went down and I encourage you to take a look at the video I shot and come to your own conclusion. I think in the end, you'll agree with the viewpoint of The Hartford Courant than the other dailys because this was a “so-called” event.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
