Competing Rallies in New Jersey

The Associated Press writes:

About 500 people gathered here Saturday to rally for and against immigrants’ rights, in a town [Morristown, NJ] that earlier this year applied for entry into a federal program that would give its police officers authority to enforce immigration laws.

The rally was organized by anti-immigration groups who say federal authorities have been lax in using immigration laws to curb illegal entries into the country and in finding and deporting people who are here illegally.

Launching into fiery speeches from a stage, anti-immigration protesters blamed illegal immigrants for drug smuggling, taking jobs from U.S. citizens, murders and diluting American culture.

“I will never accept English as a second language,” said Daniel Smeriglio, from Voice of the People USA, a Pennsylvania activist group. “You disgrace us.”

Across the street, about 150 people gathered in support of immigrants _ shouting, chanting and holding signs saying “Working people have no borders” and “Immigrants are not criminals.”  Click here for the rest of the story.

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