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http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend May 6, 2006 Group protests amnesty for illegal immigrants By Chris conrad Mail Tribune Following more than a month of pro-immigration marches across the country, around 100 people gathered at the Jackson County Justice Building to oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants. "It is a rally for the Constitution," said organizer Robert Barry. Barry, 52, said he was frustrated by the saturation of media coverage of Monday's "Day Without an Immigrant" marches of several million protesters across the country, and wanted to present a counter argument. The group waved signs and flags and marched from the justice building to the Mail Tribune building and to KOBI Channel 5 studios. "We want to demand that our public servants uphold the Constitution, and to protect her from enemies both foreign and domestic," Barry said. Among those who spoke were KMED-AM radio talk show host Bill Meyer, who described the rally as "a nice piece of citizenship." Both he and Barry noted that race has nothing to do with the rally. "It's not about hating Mexicans," Meyer said. "It's about Americans looking at the illegal immigration issue with a wink and a nod and not holding employers responsible for hiring illegals." Barry, who said he grew up surrounded by many different cultures in east Los Angeles, said he has received death threats on his answering machine for speaking out against immigration reform that favors illegal immigrants receiving benefits on par with those of native-born citizens of the United States. "I've been called a xenophobe, a Nazi and a bigot," he said. "But this is not an 'us and them' issue. I say if you come here legally, I'll hold the door open for you and welcome you into my house." He said many people who drove by Friday's procession honked their horns in support, he said. Another rally in Medford is being planned, and Barry hopes to take to the road and march on Salem to convince the Legislature to enforce laws curbing illegal immigration. "One of their arguments is 'We're all immigrants'," Barry said. "Yeah, maybe our great-great grandparents were. But we are now a nation of 200 million native-born people. "And if you want to come to America and change the laws, then come here legally and vote." Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy