I received this follow-up press release from the organizers of this weekend’s anti-immigration protest:
Protestor at Anti-Illegal Alien Rally Stalked by Communist Counter-protestors
June 3rd, 2006 For Gina of New Yorkers for Immigration Control and Enforcement (NY I.C.E.), the rally in front of the NYC Mexican Consulate, which was part of the nationwide “Hands Along the Border” protest against the illegal mass migration, did NOT end with its dispersal.
Self-identified as Communist, many of whom belong to the International Socialist Organization (which is Trotskyite), these counter-protestors stalked Gina after the rally had finished. They surrounded her in front of Mulligan’s Restaurant on Madison Avenue between 39th and 40th Streets. They were screaming so loudly that patrons (among whom were other members of NY I.C.E.) were disturbed.
One screaming male counter-demonstrator got within an inch of Gina’s face, and was gesticulating in a wild and very aggressive manner.
The aggressiveness of the Communist counter-demonstration mob came to a quick halt when the NYPD showed up and turned counter-demonstrators away.
NY I.C.E. is deeply concerned with the intimidation tactics of the counter-demonstrators and the Communist support of illegal mass migration
For more information on NY I.C.E., please contact (212) 774-9423 or email info@nyice.us.
I can’t vouch for the accuracy of this statement, but both groups of protestors were milling around the scene when I left. Given the highly aggressive nature of the counter-protest (and that it did apparently have a socialist/communist element), I’d say this strikes me as credible — and disturbing.
I personally know Gina.. I was supposed to attend the rally, but did not on that one day because of the distance. She did phone me when she arrived home and told me of the events that did take place after the fact. The rally was actually ended early by the NYPD who threatened to arrest the anti-illegal protestors if they did not leave after only 45 minutes. The protest was scheduled to last three hours. The counter protestors followed Gina when she departed. They swarmed her and surrounded her making her feel threatened. She could not believe that this happened. The NYPD in that area did nothing to protect the rights of these citizens, who have a constitutional right to assemble. The anti-illegal group were not the ones conducting themselves in a manner construed unpeaceful.. but they were threatened with arrest.