By Rian Chandler
During the Border Patrol recruitment at the Omni, about 15 activists infiltrated, gathered in the Border Patrol conference area, and carried out a mock arrest of fellow activist when they could not produce indigenous identification. The act temporarily halted recruitment activities and drew attention to the issues surrounding our failed immigration policies for all of those present. It also successfully drew the attention of the media and was covered by Channel 19 news, WINA radio, and The Daily Progress.
Here is the link to Channel 19 new's coverage [1].
Group Protests Border Patrol Recruitment
Reporter: Jummy Olabanji
Email Address: jummy.olabanji@wcav.tv [2]January 26, 2008
United States Border Patrol agents were in Charlottesville Saturday.
Their mission was to recruit new officers to guard our country's borders.
But, their visit wasn't welcomed by many within Charlotteville's border.
Charlottesville Police were called out to the Omni Hotel Saturday afternoon, for reports of disorderly conduct by protesters.
The protest came as a surprise to border patrol agents who say they are usually well received at most every place they go to.
"we are usually welcomed with open arms by the community," said recruiter Joe Arata.
But one group in Charlottesville was dismayed by the ads for border patrol recruitment; they say it made it look like a fun adventure.
"When in actuality the US border patrol is implementing a failed immigration policy that doesn't make us safer and results in the deaths of hundreds of people every year," said protester Jeff Winder.
The border patrol tells a different story.
"They are men and women who patrol the interior of the borders everyday, both on the northern border and the southern border," said Arata.
Arata says the agents are the front line of defense at our nations borders; to stop the flow of illegal immigrants, drugs, weapons and fight the war on terror.
The protesters made their way into the recruiting center and then staged a mock arrest of illegal aliens; a group they believe has done nothing wrong.
"A big percent of the people that come have indigenous blood and then immigrants from Europe are telling them that they are illegal on this land which I feel is completely hypocritical," said protester Rian Dovis.
Winder said, "Immigration has built this country, its an important contribution to our economy and especially immigrants who are coming from Latin America now are making very real, positive contributions to our life, work and culture."