White supremacists, immigrant rights activists face off

About two dozen white supremacists took to the streets in Claremont on Saturday to protest what they view as an unbridled flow of illegal immigration into the region, including the small college town. 

Their demonstration along Foothill Boulevard was interrupted by a counter-protest by more than 200 immigrant rights activists, who decried the group as racist. 

The screaming confrontation appeared to be tense but nonviolent. Dozens of officers from several police agencies watched over both sides, but Claremont police could not be reached for comment on whether anyone was arrested.

Jeff Hall, southwest regional director of the National Socialist Movement, said his group was concerned about protecting U.S. borders.

"We patrol the borders, we see the devastation, we see the drugs, we know the reality," Hall said.

He added that his group sends people to monitor the border and tries to prevent immigrants from coming in. But he said the group also has helped several migrants trying to cross the border illegally by giving them water before handing them over to U.S. Border Patrol officials.

But immigrant rights activist Ernesto Ayala, a member of the Brown Berets and La Raza Unida, said Hall and his fellow demonstrators had "backward and racist beliefs." 

"We’re not going to stand by and let them roll over peoples’ rights," he said.

On its website, the National Socialist Movement states its core principals as defending the rights of white people everywhere, preserving European culture and heritage, and reforming illegal immigration policies, among other positions.

The Southern Poverty Law Center describes the organization as one of the largest and most prominent neo-Nazi groups in the United States, and says it is notable for "its violent anti-Jewish rhetoric" and "its racist views," among other stances.

Hall said his group had been invited to rally in Claremont by the group's local members, who are concerned about what they view as the city's overly liberal policies of protecting illegal immigrants. These include allegedly allowing students who are in the country illegally to easily enroll at Claremont Colleges; and allegedly supporting illegal day laborers.

On Saturday, Hall and his cohorts gathered on a street clutching a banner adorned with the letters of the National Socialist Movement and a swastika in the middle. Some in the group wore black battle uniforms. Others were shirtless sporting heavy tattoos. Many had shaved heads.

Student Chuco Felix, 21, said he attended the rally "to protest the neo-Nazis in Claremont."

They are promoting white supremacy and hate against all people of color," Felix said. "I think I am making a difference. Every voice counts. My word is my weapon."

-- Ann M. Simmons,  Lorraine Wang and Irfan Khan 

Comments

[Jim B]

We are approaching this situation all WRONG. If we just urge our leaders to cut off all funding for services to illegal immigrants and their children they will stop coming.
It is not rocket science! Shut down the gravy train and there will be no incentive to come here. The illegals that we will be left with are the ones that are capable of taking care of themselves without taxpayer funded assistance.

[whiskey]

Great. So my choice is to be either a second class minority in what amounts to what Cal State Classicist Professor Victor Davis Hanson dubbed "Mexifornia" (title of his book) or go with the Stormfront guys?

Thanks, elites, for giving me basically that choice! Being a White person with no rights, or depending on Stormfront to use bully-boy tactics to gain personal space for Whites. In related news, the blonde gal who made the "Asians in the Library" video was forced to leave UCLA (after she apologized) due to a flood of death threats.

How exactly does making California a non-White majority state benefit me again? I'd really like to know.

[Nona J]

While I don't agree with the Neo Nazi philosophies, it is true, Illegal immigrants seem to get better representation in Claremont than American born citizens. Something about that picture just doesn't seem right.

IR: Southern Poverty Law Center, it appears the Mexican Mafia has escaped their watchful eye of hate groups.

I wonder why that is?

[ten 29 me]

I think that Mr. Ernesto Ayala from la raza and brown berets is totally misguided ,The moment that individual jumps the fences, he breaks our laws,,make me understand how americans are rolling over lawbreakers rights? WHAT RIGHTS?Illegals have all the rights in the world in their counrties or origin,,,,,Why don't they man up and demonstrate before before their own corrupt governments.ayala and people like him want to make to make all the problems of mexico and so. america's ours.I wonder if I could go to Mejico and demand my civil rights ,free food stamps,free education and drive w/o/ a drivers licence? and and fly my precious AMERICAN FLAG??????? JUST A QUESTION,,,,You people need to demand from country what you demand from mine,,,,,,,,,,,,

[ten 29 me]

I think that Mr. Ernesto Ayala from la raza and brown berets is totally misguided ,The moment that individual jumps the fences, he breaks our laws,,make me understand how americans are rolling over lawbreakers rights? WHAT RIGHTS?Illegals have all the rights in the world in their counrties or origin,,,,,Why don't they man up and demonstrate before before their own corrupt governments.ayala and people like him want to make to make all the problems of mexico and so. america's ours.I wonder if I could go to Mejico and demand my civil rights ,free food stamps,free education and drive w/o/ a drivers licence? and and fly my precious AMERICAN FLAG??????? JUST A QUESTION,,,,You people need to demand from country what you demand from mine,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Louweegie272]

I find it curious that "anti racist" Ernesto Ayala, is a member of the Brown Berets and La Raza Unida. Brown Berets sounds a bit racist to me.

[kuruc]

so what does LA RAZA mean? who are the real racists? the la times and the illegal alien lovers.

[WendiG]

Interesting..almost the exact same 'event', with the exact same numbers of knuckledragging bigots and those opposed, occured today in Calgary, Alberta, Canada..
Restores a teensy bit of my faith in humanity (or at least a portion of it )

[Melvin Painter]

Sounds like the papers are now trying to falsely link those against illegal aliens with White supremacist. How liberal of them, and destructive to our communities.

[Phil]

"White Supremacists vs Immigrants Rights Activists."

If you're going to overstate and propagandize the headline, why not just write "Mustache-Twisting Baby Killers vs. Fuzzy Bunnies?"

[arizona dreaming]

yes ia am black and we have issues with the nazis as well. but this is one problem that i will side with the skinheads. this state is welcomeing these illegal aliens with open arms. and at the same time makeing life total hard on legal american citzen. i will say that i am enjoying the current budget problems this state is going thru. and hope it gets worse.

[antibeaner]

"We’re not going to stand by and let them roll over peoples’ rights,"

Illegal Bners have no rights to "roll over"

[Vicc]

When are the Mexicans going to start acting like they have some intelligence and realize this is NOT about race, it's about criminal activity and a blatant disrespect for our laws?

[USC Trojans Fan]

Shocked to see so many supporters of the White Supremisists from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona.....

[jim]

These groups , white supremacists, are actually doing this nation a great deed, but they are doing it all wrong. Their meaning is right but the way they dress & act is not what the nation sees as someone acting in their behalf. Our gov't is not going to aid the citizens of this country, to many co's want cheap labor & politicians need their votes, the avg JOE in this country gets screwed. The groups have the public behind them but they are going at it all wrong. Obama will try to use this as his last chance to run a successful next term. 1/ he is siding w/ the gays to gather their votes, 2/ misguided blacks will vote for him because they don't want another white president3/ he will use the illegals & a surprise amnesty w/ the illegals to get the strong hispanic vote, 4/ this country will never recover from 4 more years of thei clown as president. We will be a 3rd world country. You may think that I am just another red-neck but I have 3 degrees w/ 1 an advanced degree & an IQ of 168, so if you can do better than that I'll listen to you. This country is in terrible condition & it hasn't gotten any better at all since Obama has assumed office, we have gone into reverse in fact. Neo-nazism isn't the right way either.

[Citizen Saint]

JESUS CHRIST is the answer. All souls were made for Him and through Him. All people, white, Mexican, Black, Yellow, Asian etc are from Adam and Eve.
You're all from the same God. Get smart and stop being a fool for the lies of Satan. Where are all you black, white, Mexican, Asian people going when you die? You're all going to stand before Jesus and answer for your lives. Stop being fools and get with the truth. Don't you see what is happening in the world, all the troubles and earthquakes and tsunamis etc? These are signs of the end times. Get to church and study and learn the Bible, and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour so you can save your souls.

[Lisa]

Brown Berets and La Raza Unida & neo-Nazis, a marriage made in heaven. Both ultra racist groups should be deported to a place that they can fight and wipe each other off the face of the earth. Afghanistan sounds good so we can bring home our soldiers who fight for our freedoms!

Bottom line: Those here illegally are criminals. But liberals (Democrats) want their votes so they are given more opportunities and financial support than U.S. (yeas white) citizens. And people wonder why there is so much anger towards illegals whether it be europeans, asians, and yes, hispanics!!!

[astri]

Fisrt of all I can't agree with the neo nazi stuff wanting a pure white country. neo nazi americans they are a bunch of followers of the real nazis wich were Germans they had a cause , come up with your own stuff.
I've Been in Germany and their people looks pure white wich most americans DON"T.
This country did not belong to whites ignorant people, it belonged to the INDIANS and california was part of MEXICO, before the whites took it HELLO, history speaks for itself. Now days besides the indians EVERYONE is an immigrant descendant. I support the immigrants wanting to come to the USA and stay here, a lot of americans live in mexico and other countries and believe me they get around the laws too, especially when it comes about making money. GET YOUR KNOWLEDGE RIGHt. Not all Mexicans need money food stamps etc. The richest man in the world is MEXICAN CARLOS SLIM LOL.

[tlions]

Everytime I read an article about illegal immigration, it grates on my nerves! It's gotten to the point of being utterly ridiculous. If you come to this country illegally, you should have no rights. Period. Our country owes you NOTHING. You should not be entitled to a free education, free healthcare, free food, blah, blah, blah. I'm tired of seeing the third work mentality that you bring with you. It's not OK to litter, to steal and rob, to tag buildings, let your children pee on the street corner, and belong to gangs that terrorize neighborhoods. You can argue all you want about the rights of the 'undocumented', but it doesn't fly. Illegals are sucking California dry, and I'm tired of witnessing it.

[Dean McAdams]

Great story thanks.

[ko]

"We’re not going to stand by and let them roll over peoples’ rights," he said.

Arent these Mexican Support Groups doing just that by interfering with the other groups right to gather and protest illegal immigration? HYPOCRITES!

[aron pieman kay]

as a child of holocaust survivors, i am glad that the local community in claremont which represents a cross-section of the population came out in force to tell the nazis their sick murderous ideology of hate got its walking papers

[rob]

If the governement would just enforce current immigration law this wouldn't be happening.

and the correct wording is ILLEGAL immigrant

[Thinline72]

Why doesn't anyone ask Mr. Ayala why his group is named "The Race United"? Seems kinda similar to the white supremacists if you ask me.

[California Girl]

The neo nazis do not represent the white race although they would like to claim they do. The immigrants "rights" folks need to quit claiming their "rights" are being trampled. If you came here illegally, you do not belong in this country. Very simple.