Cop Tactics At Immigration Rally Draw Ire

L.A. Police Seen Firing Rubber Bullets Into Crowds That Included Children

(CBS/AP)  Police Chief William J. Bratton said Wednesday some of the police tactics to clear immigration protesters from a park were "inappropriate," as numerous news videos showed officers striking people with batons and firing rubber bullets into crowds that included children.

After a peaceful day of immigration marches, Los Angeles police say a small group in a downtown park pelted them with rocks and bottles, reports CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker. Police responded with force.

Amid the cries and chaos, photographers were kicked, their camera's tossed. KCBS cameraman Carl Stein was knocked to the ground. So was reporter Mark Coogan.

"This is strictly my opinion," Coogan told Whitaker. "It was utterly uncalled for. It was overkill to the nth degree."

Some injured people were seen in the videos, including a Hispanic man with a bleeding welt on his stomach.

Bratton promised an investigation, and said he would discuss the matter further at a news conference later Wednesday.

"Quite frankly, I was disturbed at what I saw," Bratton told KNX-AM. He said the actions of some officers "were inappropriate in terms of use of batons and possible use of non-lethal rounds fired."

The clash at MacArthur Park started after 6 p.m. when police tried to disperse demonstrators who had moved off the sidewalk onto the street. Authorities said several of the few thousand people still at the rally threw rocks and bottles at officers, who fired rubber bullets and used batons to push the crowd back onto the sidewalk.

"(Police) started moving in and forcing them out of the park, people with children, strollers," said Angela Sambrano, director of the Central American Resource Center.

Several people, including about a dozen officers, were hurt. About 10 people were taken to hospitals for treatment of injuries including cuts, authorities said. None of the injuries was believed to be serious. At least one person was arrested, but police have not released a name.

Maria Elena Durazo, the executive secretary-treasurer at the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, said the trouble was instigated by "a group of anarchists, not associated with the rally."

Spanish-language TV station Telemundo said one of its reporters and three camera operators had been injured and taken to the hospital by police. Fox 11 aired video of a station camerawoman apparently being struck by a baton-wielding police officer in riot gear.

The Radio and Television News Association of Southern California called for an investigation.

"There is evidence that officers knocked reporters to the ground, used batons on photographers and damaged cameras, possibly motivated by anger over journalists photographing efforts by officers to control the movements of marchers," the group said in a statement.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who was traveling in El Salvador during a trade mission, said the incident was "a most unfortunate end to a peaceful day."

Protesters marched in cities from Miami to Detroit to San Antonio attempting to convince Congress to create a path to citizenship for the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States. Tuesday's protests were far smaller than similar demonstrations a year earlier that drew hundreds of thousands of people in some cities, including Los Angeles.

[hambonehd]

They passed up a great opportunity to round up at least some of the "illegals" and send them back where they came from.
I notice too that CBS has today reframed from using the illegal word! Cowards! I am sick and tired of what is labeled polictical correctness, when all it is is a way for the media and politicans to cover up being chicken ***.

[hambonehd]

janem4

You are far from being a minority.
There are lots and lots of us who feel the same.
If this *** continues, and the government does nothing, I predict we will.

[dblbar]

They knew the risks when they entered the US illegally....they did it anyway. They have the choice to take their kids back to Mexico with them, so they are the ones breaking up their own families. And how can a couple be here 15 years and not speak English, when their kids DO... a lot of times I think its a matter of convenience to them if they pretend they dont speak english.
The rest of us are here legally - why do WE have to be discriminated against because of that. It disgusts me to see this happening in my own country. The illegals should have been arrested yesterday - how many were?

[phoenix1218]

The ones fighting for immigration rights are generally ones that are here illegally. That is what they are, illegal aliens. You want to stay here then you should have come through legal channels. If you can't get here through legal chanels due to a criminal record in your home country, well then that is your fault. I do not mind immigrants so long as they are here legally. A lot of people don't want any immigrants here because they are racists. That is not me and a lot of other people. The majority of people I know (and I live in a predominately hispanic city, I am white) agree that they should be here the right way and if they are not then they need to go back and try to get here legally. It isn't right that criminals (because that is what they are, criminals) get benefits (such as healthcare and welfare) when there are people who were born here and became citizens legally. I also do not like it when peole come here illegally just to give birth so their child is born here. Well they are starting to change that. i heard a case where the kids were born here but they are deporting the parents anyways and they either have to leave the kids or take them with them. I do not like when we bring in people from ANY country to give them free surgery when there are plenty of people with no health insurance here that need surgery and do not get it. it is not fair. I think you should help your own before you help others.

[processor2]

These people are not marching for "immigration", they are marching for "ILLEGAL immigration"

that would like people who want to drive 100MPH in a 55MPH zone(illegal), marching for teir "right to drive"

yeah,,,,,,right

[riley261]

So far, I don't see any intelligent comments, just sheer bigotry.
Many latinos are already in Iraq. Immigrants are hard working and deserve to be treated with respect.
If you want them here to scrub your toilets, build your roads and work the fields, and you still don't think they have earned it and have the right to live and support their family----that's not only exploitation---its new age slavery!

[farmer371]

SEND THEM BACK!!!!!!!!!!!

[mikeburtner]

What I am reading is "immigrant protests", "immigration parade", etc. So, are we discussing Serbians and South Africans who are concerned about US immigration laws? Swiss nationals? The French (as if!)?

In what is supposedly a new age of honest and open media, why can't we just say "Mexican"?

That having been said, I am thoroughly on the side of the immigrant. They're doing all the dirty labor in this country, and that trend will only increase. All the overpaid 'natives' want to do is blog and vote for "American Idol".

[processor2]

These people are not marching for "immigration", they are marching for "ILLEGAL immigration"

that'd be like people who want to drive 100MPH in a 55MPH zone(illegal), marching for their "right to drive"

yeah,,,,,,right

...

[processor2]

These people are not marching for "immigration", they are marching for "ILLEGAL immigration"

that'd be like people who want to drive 100MPH in a 55MPH zone(illegal), marching for their "right to drive"

yeah,,,,,,right

...

[hipsister]

I agree with hambonehd. Our government should have rounded up and deported thousands of these illegals. Where is our governments backbone, can't they do anything other than sit back and let it happen. If the illegals are so dissatisified let them go back home. Why don't they at least go after all the people that are paying cash to have them work for them. Do something other than act spineless.

[pbryant35]

I agree, send them home, they do have a choice in not splitting up their families, they should be ashamed for using children as pauns to get what they want. They do not pay taxes like we do, I don't where they get off saying that. They are also ruining our social securtiy and medicaid and public aid, and whatever else is there to help Americans in a time of need. They have a mission to have as many kids as they can too. They want to populate the world. I say great job government, hopefully we will financially be able to see the changes that come from this.

[omega39-2009]

If I had the nmoney I would pay all theswe hard working people to stay home. I would enjoy watching the rest of you pic oranges for what most of them earn....

California citrus farmers, who produce navel oranges that are sold as fresh fruit and must be handled with care to prevent bruising, have a project to develop an eight-armed robot to pick their fruit.

Philip Martin, a leading agricultural economist at the University of California at Davis, said lessons could be learned from the cancellation of the "bracero" temporary program for Mexican workers in the early 1960s amid charges of abusive conditions.

At that time, farmers had predicted disaster, Martin said. "The people who were very close to the industry really got it wrong as to what would happen."

Mechanization, which had been in the development stage for more than a decade, proceeded with surprising speed, he said. "Productivity went way up. We produced five times as many tomatoes at about half the cost."

[kiowa12]

Our Goverment does not even listen to it hard working citizens that send thier sons and daughters off to war and pay high taxes. Mothers and fathers both have to work in America just to make ends meet. Now we have to see are country torn up because of illegal immigration. If the illegals care so much for thier children how come alot of them are in gangs. Illegal means they should be arrested if not then I guess the fair thing would be to empty out our prisons of everyone that has done anything illegal.

[riley261]

Being "Legal" doesn't mean that the color of your skin changes or that you get treated with respect. I have a big problem with the racism, that is the only force behind some of your comments. As a naturalized citizen of this country, I still get treated like I'm not wanted here. It took 2 hours to get my liscence renewed, got searched between my toes at the airport and countless other things. Its not about the labels any more---it's become anti-immigration.
This wonderful country was once one that oppressed native americans, women, & blacks, now its immigrants--this too shall pass.

[john85743]

I live in southern Arizona and see the impact of illegal aliens entering this country first hand. While deporting up to 12 million of them is probably not workable, or in some cases would be inhumane (because of separating families), I do not think they should receive a free pass for their prior illegal act. They need to take their chances and apply for citizenship, just like anyone else that wants to immigrate to the US (the way both of my parent%u2019s families did it). Those that do not wish to do that then have nothing to complain about when they are caught and sent home. Their only rights as illegal aliens are their human rights, because they do not any Constitutional rights, no matter how much they protest.

In addition, for the cities which have declared they are sanctuary cities and refuse to enforce US immigration laws, cut their federal funding. I do not like all the federal laws either, but we are either a nation of laws, or we are not. I do not like what is currently going on in government either but, I write letters to my elected representatives to make my opinion known and I vote. What I do not do is act childish and declare that I do not like this game so I am taking my ball and going home.

[cathaleen]

Either your legal or not. If not, goodbye, adios,
hasta vista baby.

[riley261]

They do pay taxes, there is such a thing as a tax id number that is used to file without a ssn.
Those that don't file, simply don't get the refund most of us do, but if they get a check there should be money withheld.
How is Social Security being ruined?? Don't you need a social security number in order to claim benefits??
I think its easy to point outside of ourselves for every problem in society---that's the easy way out. Don't you think its a problem that many natual born americans, that speak english and have access to public education don't bother to go to college and make something of themselves? It's the attitude of entitlement that I see as the root of a lot of our problems.
If you are underqualified compared to a guy who doesn't speak any English, and probably didn't have access to a school system like ours--There is your problem!!

[peach652]

Yesterday, CBS quoted one illegal as saying "We are not criminals, we are just illegals."

All I could do was laugh at that statement!

[rushman71]

I am a white male American citizen with understanding and acceptance of foreign immigrants who want to come into this great nation to live in the "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" dream that all of us Americans share. What I don't understand is why a lot of jobs in this society will not higher people if they are not bilingual. Chinese, Nigerians, Russians--they all come to America to live a better life and THEY LEARN ENGLISH. How hard is it!!!!!!! Why would I have to learn spanish, but the hispanics don't have to learn a word of english? Is this the true way of American society?

[bessc2007]

I fail to understand why someone here illegally has a right to feel time erodes his resposiblity of being here illegally in the first place! Electing the Democrats into a majority was a double-edged sword. We needed them to help clean up the corruption, but, their attitude toward the invasion of illegals causing so-o-o many problems in our country with gangs, muggings, robberies and drugs is traitorous to this country. If Mexico and the other Latin countries can.t manage their economies, why should we have to support their mistakes? We are having enough trouble providing for our elderly and indigents now, why invite more to add to the problem?

[processor2]

These people are not marching for "immigration", they are marching for "ILLEGAL immigration"

that'd be like people who want to drive 100MPH in a 55MPH zone(illegal), marching for their "right to drive"

yeah,,,,,,right

...

[scarletto21]

Riley261;
After reading your comments, I casn agree that many of our own problems are our own fault. However, that does not excuse the breaking and flaunting of our laws, that these "immigrants" are doing with their protests.
You said you were a naturalized citizen, which means that you went through a LEGAL process to obtain your citizenship.
I admit it is difficult to break-up a family, but having seen the incidents, having seen the illegals(yes I said illegals) using medical, monetary, and other forms of public aid; I say let them be ALL sent back, no anchor babies.

[daknoodle]

Actually, a tax id number is used by businesses to pay taxes that are collected from consumers. It is in no way a replacement for a SSN.

The only reason why you are able to receive a refund is because your employer has been taking taxes out of your pay check of the course of the year and after doing calculations with deductions allowed by the US government is it then determined that there was too much taken from your check and thus you get a refund.

These people are using stolen SSN to get jobs or are being paid under the table.

Social Security is being ruined because of the money being paid under the table AND because those who those stolen SSN's belong to are having to go through lengthy, expensive legal hoops in order to deal with the problem that the IRS see they earned way more then they actually did. By the way, the IRS's employees, all of the legal fees, and any other expenses needed to handle all of these cases are paid through the Social Security fund!

Ignorance is NOT bliss!

[riley261]

I personally don't want to support anyone abusing medical aid or welfare, I don't care what color they are,--how do you plan on stoping abuse by "real americans"?? assuming that it's all immigrants that are lining up for the benefits just means you are not focusing on the totality of the problem.
I went trough the process, yes, but I don't feel equal, or even accepted.

[realpatriot1]

Just because the "liberal media" at CBS said the marchers were demanding immigration reform doesn't mean they were making demands. It stands to reason that the overwhelming majority of people marching were legal citizens and legal immigrants who happen to support changes in the law. There's no basis for throwing them out.

If you want wages in these industries to increase then you want a program that will document guest workers and make them and their employers pay taxes. If guest workers have a path to citizenship they also have a path toward demanding better working conditions and pay. What drives down wages is the shadow economy that neds to see the light of day.

[lawandorder6]

You should have known this would happen, in LA. People don't know hoa to act in LA. I havebeen there and all that is there is ***'s and "ILLEGAL"

[jjp735i]

Where was the INS in all this? Illegals by the thousands right out front and in your face, yet the INS can't find them and deport them?

Millions of illegals rooming the streets, that's either too funny or too sad.

Let them apply like everyone else. Let them go home and demand better treatment from their own governments. This is just plan in your face law breakers. Any one in the U.S. legally would be arrested for breaking the laws.

Lets all move to Mexico and sneak back into the U.S., we would then get all the frills of no taxes, free education and more.

[riley261]

google ITIN---its been around for years. They are paying taxes---not all----but a lot are.
Even on stolen numbers---they are being witheld funds.
Social security funds are also being witheld from their wages. Best of all, these funds are not collected upon their retirement---b/c they don't have the ssn to do it.

[zoltaric]

Send theses Animals back to Mexico.

Next time use real bullets.

They are destroying our country. learn to speak english you low life pigs.

The illeagle immigrants have broke the law, they want to be rewarded for this. What law can I break? (none). They don't have enough hair on their sorry *** to try to make their country better, they just want to make ours worse.

[vancouverboo]

BOYCOTT CINCO DE MAYO.

Send Mr. Bush a message.

Send the Merchants a message.

Send the illegal aliens a message.

Keep it peaceful, but send them a monetary message.

[scarletto21]

Rushman71;
In our new Politically Correct America, we do.

I personally don't want to support anyone abusing medical aid or welfare, I don't care what color they are,--how do you plan on stoping abuse by "real americans"?? assuming that it's all immigrants that are lining up for the benefits just means you are not focusing on the totality of the problem.
I went trough the process, yes, but I don't feel equal, or even accepted.
Posted by Riley261 at 10:29 AM : May 02, 2007

Riley, you completely miss the point. You keep changing arguements to try and suit your position, however it only shows exactly how emotional (irrational) you are about the topic.

IT IS OUR PROBLEM, if we have issues with medicare, SS, etc. however it does not help the situation by further pressing the system.

Imagine this... 3 kids who don't like their situation. They want to break into your home, take your food, use your facilities, and then they decide that they want to start dictating rules in YOUR HOME... how would you react?

You are as irrational as they come. ILLEGALS should not be in this country, nor should they be pandered to. Why don't we let everyone in and then have a big party? What about all the other illegals who can't get here? Why don't you invite them to stay at your home, and take your job for 80% less than a legal citizen would get.

YOU DON'T MAKE ANY SENSE WITH YOUR EVER CHANGING ARGUEMENTS!!!

I personally don't want to support anyone abusing medical aid or welfare, I don't care what color they are,--how do you plan on stoping abuse by "real americans"?? assuming that it's all immigrants that are lining up for the benefits just means you are not focusing on the totality of the problem.
I went trough the process, yes, but I don't feel equal, or even accepted.
Posted by Riley261 at 10:29 AM : May 02, 2007

Riley, you completely miss the point. You keep changing arguements to try and suit your position, however it only shows exactly how emotional (irrational) you are about the topic.

IT IS OUR PROBLEM, if we have issues with medicare, SS, etc. however it does not help the situation by further pressing the system.

Imagine this... 3 kids who don't like their situation. They want to break into your home, take your food, use your facilities, and then they decide that they want to start dictating rules in YOUR HOME... how would you react?

You are as irrational as they come. ILLEGALS should not be in this country, nor should they be pandered to. Why don't we let everyone in and then have a big party? What about all the other illegals who can't get here? Why don't you invite them to stay at your home, and take your job for 80% less than a legal citizen would get.

YOU DON'T MAKE ANY SENSE WITH YOUR EVER CHANGING ARGUEMENTS!!!

I personally don't want to support anyone abusing medical aid or welfare, I don't care what color they are,--how do you plan on stoping abuse by "real americans"?? assuming that it's all immigrants that are lining up for the benefits just means you are not focusing on the totality of the problem.
I went trough the process, yes, but I don't feel equal, or even accepted.
Posted by Riley261 at 10:29 AM : May 02, 2007

Riley, you completely miss the point. You keep changing arguements to try and suit your position, however it only shows exactly how emotional (irrational) you are about the topic.

IT IS OUR PROBLEM, if we have issues with medicare, SS, etc. however it does not help the situation by further pressing the system.

Imagine this... 3 kids who don't like their situation. They want to break into your home, take your food, use your facilities, and then they decide that they want to start dictating rules in YOUR HOME... how would you react?

You are as irrational as they come. ILLEGALS should not be in this country, nor should they be pandered to. Why don't we let everyone in and then have a big party? What about all the other illegals who can't get here? Why don't you invite them to stay at your home, and take your job for 80% less than a legal citizen would get.

YOU DON'T MAKE ANY SENSE WITH YOUR EVER CHANGING ARGUEMENTS!!!

[l8c6]

vancouverboo, From what I've heard cinco de mayo isn't a day really celebrated much if at all outside the U.S.

[duhrer]

The market supports what the market can bear. In typical fashion, the undereducated erroneously blame legal immigrants for supporting illegal immigration. They are not! They are demanding fairer "legal" immigration processes. The reason why illegal immigration is so high, is because many Americans still hire illegals because "it's cheaper" and they can be easily manipulated by threatening them with calls to INS. Want to stop illegal immigration? Stop Americans from hiring them. Place the burden of the law on those who ought to know better here in America. So many claim that the only gripe they have is that illegals "break the law", so put your money where your mouth is, or do you think that its more wrong to break an American law if you're not an American? Get American companies in Mexico to stop exploiting the Mexican population, colluding and enabling the corruption rampant in Mexico's government (that oppresses its people in subtle 1984 ways). Why don't you aggressive fascists suggest we shoot the employers? Or revoke their freedoms. No, I know that deep down ("I don't care what color they are..." disingenuosity) it's not about immigration... it's about them... Mexicans. What I've read here at the CBS comments forum in response to this issue, tells me that most here don't even KNOW a Mexican personally, much less know about the Mexican people. Better that you keep your mouth shut and have us all think you're stupid than to speak and confirm it.

[l8c6]

Something that should have been eliminated at least at the start of the jet age if not before was the allowance of a baby dropped on U.S. soil to have instant citizenship. This has contributed to the situation of the U.S. becoming a doormat for brazen, aggressive people who in spanish carry banners that read "today we march tomorrow we vote" Just who will they be voting for in spanish?

They all know no "anglo" would go into their country of origin marching in the streets in such a manner. They know exactly how they would deal with an "anglo" protesting with english banners.

Our politicians and multinational corportations have pimped us off.

[duhrer]

Send theses Animals back to Mexico.
Next time use real bullets.
They are destroying our country. learn to speak english you low life pigs.
Posted by ZOLTARIC at 10:34 AM : May 02, 2007

I propose that it is your kind of self-serving and viscious thinking that is destroying America, making it harsher, making it unfriendly. Your armchair quarterbacking is not helpful, besides, threatening peoples lives on the internet comes close to breaking the law as well.
Seems like YOU are the pig. If proper English grammar were a criterion for being an American, a lot of Americans would be shipped out.

Maybe YOU ought to learn to speak human!

[p455329]

Alot of people complain about immigrants being in America. Instead of you posting immature comments do some research. America is based on immigration. No one can actually sit here and say that they are truely an American b/c they're NOT! Immigrants come here for a better living not to hurt the environment. They come in search of the "American Dream" just like everyone else. You complain about them not being able to speak your language but then again you take classes to learn spanish, you love mexican food, you try to learn our culture, you give them jobs no one else would dare take and then have the nerve to send them back to their country. These immigration laws are just plain rediculous and injust. If you could go through what immigrants go through to be documented citizens of the U.S., not even half of you would be able to succeed.

[drivelphobe]

Every last one of the ILLEGALS in this country, along with any anchor babies, needs to be deported now. Close the border until a manageable system is in place and restrict immigrant volume, selecting by occupation, education, criminal history, health, and intelligence. The American citizens don't want ILLEGALS here and we certainly can't pay for them. Our Government leaders arrogantly spit in the faces of the electorate, ignoring their oaths of office and refusing to enforce the laws of the land. They are refusing to protect this country from deteriorating due to the hordes of ILLEGAL parasites, babbling in non-English, scamming every entitlement benefit system there is. How about the creation and maintenance of "Sanctuary Cities"? Who in the hell do these politicians think they are? Put this to a vote and watch what happens. DEPORT ALL ILLEGALS NOW!

[riley261]

You need only post once. Read the entire thread, I was reponding to other posts. If I was emotional and irrational I would use caps--to drive my point.

[l8c6]

duhrer, You're preaching to the choir on this one. Yep, you are right. That is exactly where the root of the problem is. Business folks maximizing their profits along with the special interests of politicians selling off the greater good so they may have their own american haciendas have harmed the citizens of this country. Pimped off politiicians have in turn pimped all working americans for special interest business people who have threatened the loss of jobs if the american people took issue. They all praise Ronald Reagan but this is where the anti-working class assaults began with the right wing fascist neocons.

The right wing has put the people of the U.S. down over and over again and many american working class in some form of self deprecation have agreed listening to sleaze like Rush Limbaugh.

With regards to Iraq VP Cheney has made a comment the american people do not have the guts to fight yet that traitor has served zero days in military service to his country. He and the rest of the traitors have the same attitude toward american workers just like the cotton plantation owners had toward their slaves which is to work them till they drop or something better comes along.

[retmilspouse]

Being "Legal" doesn't mean that the color of your skin changes or that you get treated with respect. I have a big problem with the racism, that is the only force behind some of your comments. As a naturalized citizen of this country, I still get treated like I'm not wanted here. It took 2 hours to get my liscence renewed, got searched between my toes at the airport and countless other things. Its not about the labels any more---it's become anti-immigration.
This wonderful country was once one that oppressed native americans, women, & blacks, now its immigrants--this too shall pass.

Hey Riely261, I am sorry about what you call racial profiling but it is just the facts about who hijacked planes in the past and if you are a dark skinned person you may be targeted. The facts 80 year old caucasian grannies haven't committed those types of crimes, sorry but its the truth. That is the only facts the airport security people, homeland security, military, police, FBI etc etc etc etc etc have to go on. I also have to wait in long lines to get licensce renewed as well, you aren't any better. Are you telling me that other people were placed in front of you and you were made to wait because you are not white skinned? I think that alot of people like you are just going around with a chip on your shoulder anyway looking for and excuse to down the USA, a country that you profess to care for.

[retmilspouse]

They do pay taxes, there is such a thing as a tax id number that is used to file without a ssn.

Riley261, Those tax ID numbers are for businesses not for individuals who dont have a ssn.

[drivelphobe]

hey p455329...

Do you not see the term illegal?? You don't have a clue to what's going on. So go have a taco while you're on break from your Mexican history class, and later go help your gardner cut your grass. Speak in his language and pay him in pesos. Better yet, if you like Mexican food so much and don't want to communicate in English, go live in Mexico. This is the USA and we speak English!
Deport every last illegal there is in this country and close the border.

[fastfredy1]

I live in Northern Va. I had a friend who went to Mexico on a vacation and she seen on a poster in the Hotel that said to thier employees to go to Manassas Va. anyway you can to get jobs. They have over ran our community, tax our education and medical facilites, live like slobs and crime is way up. What they cannot buy they will just steal yours. I had just put out solar lights on my drive way and it was not a few minutes later a little hispanic boy was uprooting them. When I stopped him and asked him why he was doing this he said his mother liked them and to go steal them cause he is rich and will buy more. They recently were rounded up and moved. How they got into a neighbor hood where home are 500k plus is beyond me.

[l8c6]

Inmyopinion,-- How old are you? Careful of your "I pick myself up from my bootstraps rationale". If someone breaks through your door at night your "I wield a gun, watch out" attitude may not come to your rescue in quite the manner you may invision. Your smug attitude about this invasion is what is driving this country to the bottom. You're on target when you suspect your skills could be sold off to a foreign country. Some free market people are rethinking the free market ideals now that it's more than blue collar workers who are losing jobs.

A country full of poor citizens living in shanty towns is not a great country, it is rather a failed state and it's looking more and more that it will take a nation of smug arrogant people in betrayal of their own citizens to realize this sad condition through the actual development of it.

[stezzer]

As a Brit I would love to live in America, I think you're the most amazing country on earth. Every time I visit I dream of living in the USA. But I wouldn't dream of sneaking in.

I can understand how these people feel, but they cannot break the law and then expect laws to be made to protect them.

These protesters are trying to make America look cruel and ungenerous, when nothing could be further from the truth.