Immigration Issue Erupts at Bensonhurst Town Hall
Posted by Brooklyn Young Republican Club
Source: Harold Egeln / Brooklyn Daily Eagle
SOUTHWEST BROOKLYN — As the controversy over Arizona’s new law to fight illegal immigration entered a new phase on Tuesday with the U.S. Justice Department filing suit against the state, the furor over the issue erupted at a Brooklyn meeting and in a congressional campaign.
The topic reached fever pitch when a public discussion of issues involving alleged illegal immigrants — such as Mexicans supposedly getting first preference over native-born Americans in Brooklyn’s hospital emergency rooms and packing Bensonhurst tenements — took place at a recent town hall meeting held by state Sen. Marty Golden.
“Arizona! Arizona!” chanted some people in the audience of about 200 people at the meeting held at St. Finbar’s Church Center in Bath Beach. Arizona’s action is viewed by critics as unfairly targeting Hispanics, violating civil liberties and smacking of racial profiling.
While several applauded the “Arizona!” call, others sat in shocked silence. Without the senator there (he was in Albany taking part in budget negotiations) and only city agency representatives presiding, there was no response given.
Among those in the auditorium were two Republican candidates, Michael Allegretti and Michael Grimm, vying for the 13th Congressional District post now held by freshman Congressman Michael McMahon, a centrist Democrat. McMahon’s seat is targeted as vulnerable by the National Republican Party.
