{news} Protest anti-immigrant group, West Haven, Wed. Oct. 5 at 5:30pm

[Charlie Pillsbury]

Protest anti-immigrant group, West Haven, 10/5Counter-demonstration called by


Unidad Latina En Accion  -  Junta for Progressive Action  -  Amistad Catholic Worker  -  Latinos Contra la Guerra  -   New Haven People's Center  -    West Haven Speaks Out  -  Greater New Haven Peace Council


Wednesday, October 5, 2005 at 5:30p.m.
in front of the American Legion Hall
337 Main Street, West Haven


The above pro-immigrant groups are sponsoring a protest of the CCIC (CT Citizens for Immigration Control) in West Haven, where the CCIC is holding their first anti-immigrant meeting in the New Haven area.

The CCIC is an anti-immigrant group that has been organizing around the state since May of this year. To date, they have met in West Hartford, Danbury, Watertown, and Hartford but have never attracted more than 40 participants at their meetings. The CCIC acts in concert with nationwide militia groups such as the Minutemen who raise fear of and spread disinformation about immigrants and immigration among the general U.S. population. Though not openly white supremacist, members of the White Revolution who now vigil every Sunday in Milford claim that  members of the CCIC have stopped by and expressed support for their white supremacist beliefs. An allied group, the European-American Unity and Rights Organization, held a banner  at an anti-immigrant event in Hartford displaying a link to www.davidduke,com. Phil Haskell, who spoke with members of the White revolution in August of this year, reports that he was told: "Members of the CCIC are our good friends and are happy that we speak openly about the superiority of the white race and the need to expel "aliens"' The CCIC just thinks they will get more done if they are not honest and open about their views."

The activity of the CCIC has been countered by pro-immigrant groups around the state, including Unidad Latina en Accion, Latinos contra la Guerra, and others. Pro-immigrants meetings are now being sponsored around the state by churches, union and civic organizations. A statewide unity rally held in Danbury this summer which attracted over 2,000 protesters demanding an end to the Mayor's racist comments regarding immigrants.

Groups around the state are pledging support to a counter protest to the CCIC meeting in West Haven this week. Guadalupe Montiel, of Unidad Latina en Accion, states that "right-minded U.S. citizens must stand up to racist anti-immigrant groups like the CCIC. Immigrants have added much to U.S. society, both economically and culturally, and any changes to immigration policy must help immigrants rather than persecute them."

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