Anti-Immigrant Network Invades Nation’s Capitol

Terry Keleher

Anti-Immigrant Network Invades Nation’s Capitol

The New York Times ran an editorial last week that observed: “Illegal immigration is an all-purpose policy explosive. Toss it into any debate and, boom, discussion stops because you’ve got people afraid that benefits or services might be going to those who don’t deserve them.”

Over the weekend, the tea-partiers were out in force fanning the flames of xenophobia at the National Mall in Washington D.C. protesting everything from taxes and government, to health care reform and anything they could associate with Obama and foreigners—especially immigrants.

Lest you think the Tea Party Express rally was simply a convergence of random racists, Eric Ward at the Chicago-based Center for New Communities provides some historical and institutional context of how white nationalist forces are well-connected to this current conservative movement. Ward writes:

“Now, coming on the heels of the march on Washington D.C., a group with ties to white nationalism, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) will enter the Capitol in an attempt to influence congressional lawmakers. In Special Bulletin: Pulling the Curtain Back on FAIR released in early September the civil rights organization Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reports that “From September 14-16, 2009, FAIR will host its annual ‘Hold Their Feet to the Fire’ conference, to broadcast its dangerously xenophobic message to Congressional Representatives and the American public.”

“Along with attempts to pressure Congressional Representatives, the FAIR event will include a “We the People” Awards and Reception to be held Wednesday, September 15th, 2009 from 7-9 PM at the National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C. The National Postal Museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution which can be reached at 202.633.1000. Allen R. Kane is the Director of the National Postal Museum. The reception will feature Lou Dobbs, a controversial CNN news host who has used white nationalist material in his “news” show and falsely accused immigrants of spreading leprosy in the United States”

Check out Ward’s full article at Imagine 2050.

Posted at 10:10 AM, Sep 14, 2009 in Immigration | Permalink | View Comments