Minutemen Rally In Tulsa

Saturday, May 5th 2007, 4:15 pm

By: News On 6

Anti-immigration activists hold a Cinco de Mayo rally on Saturday. Dozens of members of the Tulsa Minutemen Project voiced their opposition to illegal aliens. The News On 6â€™s Chris Wright reports they were also there to support a bill now sitting on the governor's desk.

"We are not against immigration, we are against illegal immigration, that's what we stand for," Ron Damph with the Tulsa Minutemen Project said.

Hours before the American Dream Coalition took to the streets, members of the Tulsa Minutemen Project wanted to get their point across too. Waving flags, carrying signs, and asking for honks of support, the group hopes its demonstration stems the tide of illegal immigrants.

"Illegal immigration is hurting our jobs, our families, it's costing us in healthcare, it's costing us in education, it's going to sink the ship so to speak if we don't sustain our borders," Minutemen Dr. Mike Ritze said.

One of the Minutemen's founders, California native Jim Gilchrist, also attended the rally. He voiced his support for House Bill 1804, passed by state lawmakers earlier this week.

"We look at this bill as the vanguard that's going to lead other states to introducing and passing similar bills," Minutemen founder Jim Gilchrist said.

Governor Henry has yet to say if he will sign the bill into law. If passed, it would, among other things, make it a crime to harbor or hire an illegal alien. While those opposed to the bill have called it misguided and unenforceable, the Minutemen say it is exactly what this country needs.

"1804 is an exciting bill that we hope that the governor takes a strong look at and does sign this bill," said Damph.

The Minutemen tell us they are staunch supporters of law enforcement. But, if HB 1804 is passed, its members say they are willing to defend Oklahoma's borders themselves to make sure the law is enforced.

Watch the video: Minutemen Rally in Support Of HB 1804

Related Stories:

3/5/2007 Green Country Hispanics Fight New Immigration Bill

4/3/2007 Controversial Immigration Bill Closer To Becoming Law

4/16/2007 State Senate Approves Sweeping Immigration Legislation

4/19/2007 Hispanics Speak Out Against Immigration Legislation

5/1/2007 State House Sends Immigration Reform Bill To The Governor

5/1/2007 Hispanic Leaders Say State Immigration Bill Will Not Work

5/4/2007 HOUSE BILL 1804

5/5/2007 Rally Draws Attention To Controversial Immigration Bill