Now it’s a fight of
rhetoric, not rights

A big time fight has come to Freehold Borough and you can tell that’s true because locals aren’t involved and the words "hate group" are. A press release issued last week by forces opposed to borough officials’ decision to close a public hiring area frequented by immigrants was the most frightening salvo yet.

Latino and African-American groups behind the release used the phrase "hate group" to describe PEOPLE, the citizens group that was formed in the borough to urge elected officials to deal with the problems brought on by continuing illegal immigration into the United States in general and Freehold in particular.

The authors of the press release object to the fact that PEOPLE wants laws enforced.

Anyone who believed this fight was still about what’s happening in Freehold Borough should be convinced by now that it is not.

One advocate for the borough’s Hispanic community, Cecilia Reynolds, has already distanced herself from this social disaster.

One group that should be an advocate for the Hispanic community, the Hispanic Affairs Resource Center, has been silent. We have seen nothing to indicate that that organization is addressing this issue. Why is that?

The rhetoric-driven press releases coming from the supporters of illegal immigration and illegal hiring practices have been seen before around the nation. The strategy is simple: Attack those who have legitimate concerns about social issues and demonize those people.

PEOPLE sought redress from the government. It played by the rules and what it got for its efforts was a label — hate group. This round has clearly gone the wrong way for residents.

The next round will be Feb. 6 in federal court when the borough continues to answer a lawsuit that was filed on behalf of immigrant day laborers.

We have supported and will continue to support humanitarian efforts aimed at allowing Freehold’s immigrant population to exist with some degree of dignity. That position will not change.

We believe officials acted properly in closing the public muster zone. However, in the wrong-is-right nation we have today that has seen the president himself bow to those who support illegal immigration and illegal labor, it would not be a surprise to soon see the day laborers back at the muster zone on Throckmorton Street.

Their backers will then move on to the next battle in the effort to subvert U.S. law and society.