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Dueling immigration protests in Alamance County

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Thursday, April 9, 2009

(Updated 4:05 pm)

By Lorraine Ahearn
Staff Writer

GRAHAM — Rival protesters, kept a block apart by the very jail at issue, held peaceful immigration rallies Wednesday that nevertheless ended in the arrests of seven demonstrators, one dressed as the Statue of Liberty.

The protest and counterprotest in the county seat, each drawing more than 100 participants, came as disagreement mounts over immigration enforcement efforts by Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson.

Earlier this week, an Elon University political science professor released a study of court data showing that Alamance deputies pulled Hispanics for traffic stops 1,344 times over four years instead of the 494 times the sheriff reported.

The news fueled Wednesday’s march by a statewide immigration rights group, Witness for Peace. The march began in Burlington and ended at the Alamance Detention Center.

There, several demonstrators sat in front of the doors to the new jail. After a number of warnings from Graham police Capt. Steve McGilvray not to block the entrance, the protesters were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.

In a theatrical flourish, protester Patrick O’Neill was dressed as an ICE agent, and he demanded that police arrest fellow protester Audrey Schwankl, wearing a Lady Liberty costume.

Schwankl, already wearing her own handcuffs, shouted, “Liberty is arrested in Alamance County!”

The county has become a flashpoint for the immigration debate, particularly since the opening of the new jail and Johnson’s election.

The sheriff contracted with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to house illegal aliens arrested in the cooperative 287(g) program between Alamance deputies and ICE.

But as evidenced by a counter-demonstration on the opposite side of the sheriff’s office a block away, where border control supporters waved U.S. flags and held signs saying “287(g) Works!” and “Support the Sheriff,” Johnson also has supporters locally and statewide.

Burlington resident Kim Oliver, the owner of a concrete company who helped organize the counterprotest by Americans for Legal Immigration PAC, pointed to what he sees as declining wages and rising crime on the part of illegal immigrants who are convicted felons.

“We’re tired of it,” Oliver said as a crowd gathered for the “Support the Sheriff” rally. “We’ve had a belly full of it.”

A block away, Jimmy Schwankl and his four children had come from Pittsboro to watch his wife get arrested in a Statue of Liberty costume.

A former Spanish teacher who now cares for her four foster children at home full-time, Audrey Schwankl lives in an adjacent county, Chatham, which has become an immigration flashpoint of another kind.

In January, the Chatham County commissioners passed a resolution in strong opposition to participation in 287(g). That is the federal program allowing ICE to deputize local police, giving them immigration enforcement authority.

Pro-enforcement groups such as ALIPAC and N.C. Fire, whose leaders both attended Wednesday’s rally in Graham, regard Siler City in Chatham as ground zero for illegal immigration because of its large poultry processing plants.

“There’s a joke about Chatham County, and the people who live there don’t know the joke,” said ALIPAC President William Gheen. “At the Mexican border, there’s a sign that says, 'Come to Chatham County.’ It’s a sanctuary for illegal aliens.”

The Schwankls saw it from a different perspective, having moved to Chatham in 1996 and watched their tiny parish, St. Julia’s Catholic Church, explode, from 65 U.S.-born families to 565 U.S. plus Latino-immigrant families.

“We built a new church to accommodate them and have four Masses,” said Jimmy Schwankl. “With all that growth came other issues. How do I get a driver’s license? How do I get my water turned on? She (wife Audrey Schwankl) helped them.”

The protesters were in the process of being released on bond Wednesday evening, and their court date is May 14, police said.

Contact Lorraine Ahearn at 373-7334 or lorraine.ahearn@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Jerry Wolford (News & Record)

Photo Caption: Opponents (right) cross paths with supporters of 287(g) outside the Alamance County jail Wednesday.

Additional Photos

WANT TO GO?

What: Immigration rights march

When: 10:30 a.m. today

Where: From American Friends Service Committee, 6306 W. Market St., to Guilford College campus

More: Exhibit and luncheon discussion after the march.

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Doug Johnson

April 9, 2009 - 5:51 am EDT

I noticed you left the name of the professor out! Now I am wondering if he did this, lets get votes for the liberals on my money.The state is short of money, they could fire about 40% of these liberal professors and give the others a few hours a day work.
Great job Sheriff Johnson, I wish more sheriff's in NC were into the law enforcement work. Most are in the get democrat votes work.
Also wonder why Audrey has not been arrest for aiding and abetting law breakers.
Still can not figure what the liberal papers do not understand about illegal means illegal.
My opinion round them up and send them home.

chilandrina

April 9, 2009 - 9:27 am EDT

The professor's name is Laura Roselle. If you are so inclined to educate yourself, you may easily find the ariticle by googling the topic. That is how I found it. Also, Elon is a private university, not state supported. I may be wrong, but I do not believe her position is supported by tax dollars in the sense that you were eluding to.

Laura Roselle merely reported the facts. She went to a public set of records and documentation and merely reported the fact of what she found. Anyone who wanted to go and pull public traffic records could have done the same thing. If you don't believe it, go check the facts for yourself.

What we perceive and what is reality can drastically change once we start to educate ourselves and base our beliefs and opinions on the truth.

DelawareBob

April 9, 2009 - 7:56 am EDT

Here we go again. Try to enforce the law on this illegal immigration and protesters are out there screaming "RACIAL PROFILING". What I would like to know is if anyone that is not and ILLEGAL ALIEN being arrested?

This illegal immigration has caused more problems than anyone could have ever imagined, and these problems are not going to go away as long as there are ILLEGAL ALIENS in this Counrty. It's time for them to return to their home country where they belong. They don't belong here.

It's time for ZERO TOLERENCE with these ILLEGAL ALIENS!

chilandrina

April 9, 2009 - 12:16 pm EDT

I agree it is time for a policy of ZERO TOLERANCE! ZERO TOLERANCE of anything but the truth, personal responsibility and positive action. ZERO TOLERANCE for ignorance, hate and misrepresentation of the truth.

Have you read the article that is referenced? It doesn't really reference any stance by the author or the professor that did the research for or against any kind of immigration, legal or illegal. It was a report of facts. It does reference the importance of reporting the true facts.

Both sides of the issue are represented by passionate personal feelings. The truth in the data on crime, gangs, drugs, unemployment and abuse of social services is out there if you choose to look for it and believe it. There in lies the problem! Both sides are so afraid of the spin that the other is putting on it or possibly so blinded by their indoctrinated ways of thinking that many are blind to the truth...on both sides.

The Alamance County sheriff's department, in my opinion, has done nothing to gain favor or make progress on the immigration issue. What I see them doing is making fools of themselves at every turn. They make themselves look much worse than anybody could ever make them look. They are admittedly making mistakes and errors in their reportings. The sheriff is repeatedly quoted on the record making the most ignorant statements and personal attacks on people that he obviously knows nothing about. He might as well be the poster child for the uneducated red neck from the south that everyone laughs at and no one takes seriously. If this is the representation that Alamance county seeks, or that anti-immigration groups want to be associated with, that is fine. I think it actually hurts their cause. But it does reinforce that ignorance breeds ignorance in my opinion.

I am not in favor of opening up the borders and allowing free policy of immigration. That is obviously not the answer. I am in favor of a solution that is favorable to the US. I am also in favor of a human solution. I am not in favor of playing the blame game or the hate game.

mamaboilermaker

April 9, 2009 - 8:07 am EDT

The woman in the Statue of Liberty costume needs a history lesson. Immigrants who came through Ellis Island went through a LEGAL immigration process. They had to be healthy and have a way to make a living so they would not be a burden. Lady Liberty does not condone lawbreaking.

As for churches that undermine national security, they should encourage people to repent and obey the law. Jesus said to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's--God doesn't want illegal drivers killing people and sneaking around with stolen identites. Thou shalt not steal--that includes identities.

chilandrina

April 9, 2009 - 10:12 am EDT

mamaboilermaker,

Jesus Christ was the absolute embodiment of civil disobedience! In the eyes of the government he was a lawbreaker, an illegal. He was killed for disobeying the law and standing steadfast for what he knew in his heart was right. Let me remind you of how he did not judge in his heart the lawbreakers he was crucified alongside of and how he showed no hate or dissent towards anyone, even those who hung him on a cross and murdered him.

You have the freedom to speak your opinion, whether it be on immigration or what kind of man you thought Jesus was and what he stood for. I too have have that same freedom, and it is my opinion that Jesus was a loving and forgiving man who saw the truth that we were unable to see, the good and value in everyone that we as humans are unable to perceive.

mamaboilermaker

April 9, 2009 - 4:02 pm EDT

I can't recall an instance in the Bible where Jesus actually broke a civil law. He ticked off a lot of people and he broke Jewish ceremonial laws (although Christians would say he did not break them because he fulfilled them) but he did not provoke general lawlessness and did not revolt against the pagan Roman government, although some of his zealot followers hoped he would.

I don't think illegals are any less worthy humans than legals--but I do insist that they respect the laws of our country if they want to immigrate here. Christians are to obey the law unless it commands them to do something against God, e.g. idol worship, child sacrifice, armed robbery, sexual immorality.....

I don't believe Jesus would steal someone's social security number or drive recklessly or cheat on His taxes. Loving people does not mean enabling them to break the law or rewarding them for breaking the law. I love my children, but I wouldn't let them drive without a license or steal anyone's identity.

weatherwithyou33

April 9, 2009 - 9:42 am EDT

If only the Liberals would stop their underground railroad of illegal immigrants who do nothing but take our jobs. The Liberals are the reason unemployment is so high and the reason we have all this crime in our country. Let's send those illegals all home so we can get our jobs back that we are willing to do for minimum wage and no benefits. The Liberals want us to be unsafe and have a country of terrorists.

Ok that was fun. Sure we need to make some changes to better control the inflow into our country but you can't ignore the problem for 20+ years then try to round everyone up and send them home. This is an issue that we as a country allowed to continue and it is too late to reverse what has happened. We need to deal with the situation as it is today. Most of these people are hard workers looking for a better life just like, oh I don't know, the early explorers, pilgrims and many of our founding fathers. Did they come through Ellis Island? Nope. Did they come into a land where they were wanted? Nope. But thanks to them you are here today enjoying a great life in America and maybe thanks to our country turning a blind eye for 20 years many of these "illegal’s" kids will have a better life too.

As for "Lady Liberty" needing a history lesson perhaps mamaboilermaker should take her own advice and read up on how we took the land we call America from someone else. There was no Ellis Island then, we just came on over with our belief in Freedom and Liberty. Perhaps the lady in the costume was making a point about her belief in the right to natural LIBERTY. Changes are needed but saying send them all home because they are all criminals, terrorists and any who helps them are criminals just makes you sound ignorant.

chilandrina

April 9, 2009 - 10:27 am EDT

I loved the intro to your comment! What would we do if there was no one left to blame?

I am not going to deny that immigration is a problem, but jeez people....stop blaming them for everything. The next thing you know it is going to be the fault of the Mexicans that so many people in the US are obese and have heartburn. You know, because of all that delicious spicy food they introduced us to that we can't stop eating.

sockpuppet

April 9, 2009 - 12:34 pm EDT

Who let all the bigots out in Guilford county? Wow, just don't choke holding your Confederate flag and swastika..

mamaboilermaker

April 9, 2009 - 4:10 pm EDT

So insisting on enforcement of our laws is bigotry? There is a process for becoming a legal resident and a citizen. If some groups of people are exempt from the law, then do the rest of us get to decide which laws we want to ignore, too? I'd like to ignore the self-employment tax and some of the speed limits--and the no parking signs downtown. You all OK with that? My neighbor might decide to ignore red lights and sales taxes. Everybody decide which laws you like and which ones you don't. That's called anarchy.

SusanR

April 9, 2009 - 7:51 pm EDT

Ok talk about "natural Liberty". Do I not have a natural liberty not to be burden with the care of people who do not belong here? Do I not have a liberty not to have to educate illegals, sit next to one with TB, have a crime commited on me by one? OR be stuck with a house that was built by one who could not read a ruler.

They do not belong here