EMAIL US A NEWS TIP
Courier Online is updated twice each week every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon. For the latest full content, you can purchase the Claremont Courier newspaper for 75 cents, or subscribe by calling (909) 621-4761.
Gilchrist brings strong views on illegal immigration Controversial leader of the Minuteman Project Jim Gilchrist spoke about illegal immigration and tax reform in an address before the Mountain View Republican Club on Monday evening. Mr. Gilchrist spoke about the problems associated with illegal immigration and cited figures to show its impact on the current budget crisis in California and across the nation. He said that about 30 million people are living in the United States illegally. He believes that about $27 billion of California's $42 billion budget deficit is a direct result of illegal immigrants. Mr. Gilchrist was highly critical of business owners who employ illegal immigrants rather legal residents of the country, calling them "21st Century slave traders." He also criticized the government for failing to enforce the laws. "It's all about the rule of law," he said. "It's all about maintaining a healthy middle class productive society. It's all about preserving a civilized society." He urged members to write and make phone calls to elected officials to ensure the illegal immigration debate remains a pressing issue. He also listed some politicians and candidates to vote in office who will take a strong stance against illegal immigration. His goal is to get the government to triple the budget of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which would help stem the "tsunami of illegal aliens flooding our country." "We needs to enforce the law. It's as simple as that," he said. "Either we are a nation of laws or we are not. If we are not going to enforce the immigration laws, what's next?" The speech was originally scheduled at Italian restaurant Buca Di Beppo but the threat of protests and negative publicity led to a last minute decision by the restaurant's corporate office to cancel. The Mountain View Republican Club was forced to relocate the speech to Hotel Claremont, causing members to complain about the protesters. "Buca[Di Beppo] felt the political pressure from the colleges for giving extra credit to any student who would show up here and protest," said Donna Lowe, co-chair of programing for Mountain View. "... This is an infringement of our first amendment rights of freedom of speech, freedom to assemble and freedom of the press."
A group of about 40 protesters led by Pitzer College Professor Jose Calderon gathered outside to voice their objection to Mr. Gilchrist's appearance. In his address, Mr. Gilchrist criticized the protesters and called Dr. Calderon "as dumb as they come." "On the left, you've got the Charlie Manson cultist mentalities; people who will kill you," Mr. Gilchrist said. "They will murder you if they think they can get away with it, to get their way. They are very uneducated. They're downright stupid, like most of these students who are out here. You can not carry out an intelligent conversation with them. And they're hailing themselves from the Claremont Colleges, give me a break." After his address, Mr. Gilchrist fielded questions from the audience. Two students who were protesting before the address asked a series of questions, causing Mr. Gilchrist and some audience members to lash out. Pomona College student Nathaniel Spielberg said that he was disheartened that Mr. Gilchrist "attempted to shout us down after complaining about a lack of willingness on our part to engage in civilized discourse and open dialogue." After the address ended, the tension carried on as some of the Mountain View members clashed with students outside. They debated over the topics discussed during Mr. Gilchrist's address, but at times the converging views escalated into personal attacks. The Mountain View Republican Club is hosting a series of speakers on the topic of illegal immigration over the next few months. Members come from 7 local cities including Claremont, LaVerne, Chino, Ontario, Pomona, San Dimas and Upland. The Minuteman Project is an activist organization started in 2005 by private citizens to monitor the US-Mexican border for illegal immigration. Mr. Gilchrist has been accused by critics of espousing violent rhetoric and promoting racism against illegal immigrants. —Tony Krickl |
