By Steve Cumming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-639503.mp3
Dallas, TX – For the second time in recent weeks opposing groups protested in Irving. The reason: the police department's policy of turning over suspected illegals to U.S. immigration. Reporter Steve Cumming reports.
Irving Rally Final
ME
Oct 15
Runs: 3:10 (Steve Cumming)
For the second time in recent weeks opposing groups protested in Irving. The reason: the police department's policy of turning over suspected illegals to U.S. immigration. Reporter Steve Cummins reports.
Tag: Despite the tension, Irving Mayor Gears tells KERA the city has no plans to reconsider the policy, because it has resulted in identifying criminals. Opponents say they may go to court to change the at-large city council system. There are no Hispanics on the Irving City Council.
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The first to assemble was the group Citizens for Immigration Reform which supports Irving police in their efforts to find illegals. Event spokesman John Gorena's grandparents came to the U-S from Mexico.
(Gorena)
He was joined by a crowd of about 150 that was mostly Anglo with a few Hispanic community members mixed in, including Eva and Enrique Hinojosa.
(Hinojosas speak)
Even a train's engineer sounded his support. But just down the street, came a crowd about ten times the size of the first. Accion America thinks Irving Police are heavy-handed in their approach.
(Carlos Quintanilla)
Civil Rights Activist Peter Johnson urged truckers and residents to support diversity by boycotting gas stations in Irving.
(Peter Johnson)
At the end of the rally came the call to sign up to vote.
(vote)
There was some relatively peaceful confrontation between the groups, but nothing that threatened to get out of hand. Irving police had the groups separated on opposite sides of the building and the closest they got was about 20 yards. But the sparring may continue. The supporters of Irving's police policy are contemplating another event next month.
Steve Cumming, KERA News.
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(traffic sounds)
First to assemble was the group Citizens for Immigration Reform which supports Irving the police in their efforts to find illegals. Event spokesman John Gorena's grandparents came to the U-S from Mexico.
(Gorena)
He was joined by a crowd of about 150 that was mostly Anglo with a few Hispanic community members mixed in, including Eva and Enrique Hinojosa.
(TRE horn)
(God Bless America)
Even a train's engineer sounded his support. But just down the street, came a crowd about ten times the size of the first. Accion America thinks Irving Police are heavy-handed in their approach.
(Quintanilla)
Civil Rights Activist Peter Johnson urged truckers and residents to support diversity by boycotting gas stations in Irving.
(Peter Johnson)
At the end of the rally came the call to sign up to vote at least for those that could.
(vote)
There was some relatively peaceful confrontation between the groups, but nothing that threatened to get out of hand. Irving police had the groups separated on opposite sides of the building and the closest they got was about 20 yards. But the sparring may continue. The supporters of Irving police policy are contemplating another event next month.
Steve Cumming, KERA News.