Associated Press Posted on Sun, Oct. 16, 2005
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ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Hundreds of protesters turned up at the inaugural meeting of a Chicago-area citizens' group whose members believe the government isn't doing enough to halt illegal immigration. Some of the protesters were arrested after a confrontation with police outside the Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights, where members of the Chicago Minuteman Project gathered Saturday. The confrontation prompted officers at the scene to call for assistance from several neighboring police departments, which quickly brought about 150 officers clad in riot gear to the scene. The Minutemen, affiliated with a national volunteer civilian border patrol group, have recently staged patrols in U.S. border states to stem illegal immigration. The group has sparked national controversy, viewed by some as courageous and others as racist vigilantes. Several Minutemen did not attend the meeting because they feared for their safety, said Rosanna Pulido, co-founder of the Chicago group. "It's disappointing that people here could not exercise their First Amendment rights," she said. The arrests were made Saturday after a small group of protesters blocked the school's entrance and threw bottles and other objects at police, Arlington Heights Police Sgt. Robert Murray said. Five people were charged with resisting arrest and battery, both misdemeanors. All were released from custody after posting $100 bail. One of those arrested said her actions were justified. "Five people were arrested in a deliberate attempt to protest these people planning to hunt and trap immigrants," said Kara K. Norlander, 23. Speakers at the meeting said illegal immigration was a security threat that threatened the U.S. economy and the rights of legal immigrants. The Rev. Keith Butler, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate from Michigan, told the group that both political parties were not doing enough to enforce immigration law. "By not securing our borders, we are putting our wives and children at risk," Butler said. After his speech, Butler had to hop over a railing to get to his car because protesters had blocked the stairs.