It was a humid day in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania as 600 people showed up to counter the vilification of their community by groups like MALDEF, LULAC and La Raza. Thunderstorms threatened all day, but we were graced with a rain free event. These racist groups that came to Shenandoah were there to point to an isolated incident of an illegal alien killed in their community in a park at 11:30PM in July. The illegal alien, Luis Ramirez was in the park with one of the youth's 13-year-old sisters that night.
Click image for large panorama |
These groups are trying to slander the whole community of Shenandoah and all of those opposed to illegal immigration as having been behind this incident. It simply isn't the case and that was shown yesterday as the event was peaceful and pro-American. The only incident that occurred is when the girlfriend of Luis Ramirez showed up with a couple friends and thought unfurling a large Mexican flag was a good idea. The media ate that portion up, but it did not cause any violent incident that these groups wanted.
The people of Shenandoah were patriotic and fiercely defensive of their community. I'd like to mention that a few skinhead types did attend the rally. They were not invited and came from outside of the community and tried to disrupt it by shouting out white power statements. I'd like to reiterate that
they were not invited just as the girls who unfurled the Mexican flag
were not invited. As you'll see in my speech - which will be up below - I'm sure they weren't too thrilled with me.
Mexican flag confronted |
These groups on both sides - the skinheads and the racist La Raza groups - continue to think this is all about race. It is not. It is about our country. A country of diverse ethnicities working together for progress. These racist groups are not for ALL and those in our movement condemn their beliefs.
The community of Shenandoah's official population is only 5,400 people, so having 600 people show up, more than 10% of the community, is a huge victory in this fight against hate and in favor of America and American ideals. These numbers come from the police at the event and I don't particularly care what the media is reporting - some saying as low as 100 which the video and pictures clearly show is a lie - they are biased, have an agenda and will try to make our efforts look as minuscule as possible.
Video is up below these pictures from the event.
Videos below
Dan Smeriglio, President of
Voice of the People USA opened things up with a pledge of allegiance to the flag and a moment of silence for Luis Ramirez. He addressed the demonizing of Shenandoah that is going on and that the community should remember that the majority of Americans are behind them. Dan will speak more later, so he kept things short.
Ruth Miller of
Illegal Protest called out our government officials who are refusing to enforce the laws already on the books regarding illegal immigration. She also discussed how Shenandoah is not alone in being signled out by race based groups. Nobody asked illegal aliens to come into Shenandoah.
Me. I lost control once again as I addressed the realities going on across this country regarding these racist groups like La Raza calling patriotic Americans racists. I rant and rave and generally get too passionate and excited. *sigh* Either way my message is clear.
Ed Medashefski focused on the lack of jobs, yet that argument is being used by the government to encourage more immigration, both legal and illegal. He stressed that local law enforcement should be allowed to question a criminals immigration status. He pointed out that the Illegal Immigration Relief Act (IIRA) that was passed in Hazleton should be enacted in other communities.
Dan Smeriglio spoke about... well he spoke about a lot of stuff and I'm not going to cover it all. Watch the videos below.
Wendy Medashefski said that they are going to bring a crime watch to Shenandoah. She also talked about a Criminal Alien Program (CAP) which gives local law enforcement the ability to deport aliens in jails that are about to be released, rather than be released onto the streets. She called for voting out officials who refuse to crack down on illegal immigration. She went after the mayor of Shenandoah, Thomas O'Neill, who said that their community deserved the negative spotlight they are getting. She also went on to point out the sacrifice of the volunteers who cover this issue and drive the rallies.
All videos are below.
After you watch all the videos be sure to check these out:
You can read Ruth's take on events at Illegal Protest
You can also read Wendi's take on events at PA Pundits
Dan Smeriglio of Voice of the People opens the rally
Speech by Ruth Miller of Illegal Protest
Speech by Dan Amato
Speech by Ed Medashefski of Voice of the People USA
Speech by Dan Smeriglio - Part 1 of 2
Speech by Dan Smeriglio - Part 2 of 2
Speech by Wendi Medashefski of Voice of the People USA and PA Pundits
Closing Remarks, Outtakes that didn't fit and a sudden singing of God Bless America end the rally
