Illegal immigrants decried at rally

Protest forms outside legislature

RALEIGH -- A rally Wednesday to decry illegal immigration drew about a dozen supporters.

The event outside the Legislative Building was intended to pressure lawmakers to pass restrictive laws that would drive illegal immigrants from the state.

"We need North Carolina lawmakers to take emergency legislative action," said rally organizer William Gheen of Raleigh, founder of the political action committee Americans for Legal Immigration. "The word is out from Canada to Argentina that North Carolina is the place to come to."

Gheen brought in several speakers, including immigration activists from Arizona. But they spoke mostly to reporters, who were as numerous as rally supporters.

Those who attended said they had a raft of concerns about immigration.

Some said illegal immigrants are responsible for rising healthcare costs, rising taxes, school crowding and crime. Others said they were concerned about maintaining "the rule of law" and the sovereignty of the United States.

"They trash our flag; they trash our language. They don't want to assimilate," said Marion Larabee, a retiree from New Bern who held a sign proclaiming "Illegal aliens go back to your homeland."

Joe Blanton, an engineer from Apex, said his son befriended illegal immigrants and got involved in gangs. "It's just a bad influence on our kids," he said.

Blanton said he frequently sees Hispanic crime suspects on the news. "The last name is Martinez, and guess what, they're illegals," he said.

Several Republican legislators spoke, including House Minority Leader Paul Stam. All said that Democratic lawmakers have blocked most of their attempts to target illegal immigrants.