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Protesters show their signs at a rally about illegal immigration near Westover Air Reserve Base Sunday.
(SUBMITTED PHOTO)
CHICOPEE — About 100 people joined together outside the road to Westover Air Reserve Base for a rally to protest the proposal to temporarily house as many as 1,000 undocumented immigrant children from Mexico and Central America on the base.
Sunday's four-hour rally was loosely organized by the Pioneer Valley Tea Party, a new group called Impeach Obama and others, said Michael Franco, of Holyoke, a long-time political activist who is an "America First" candidate for state Senate in the 1st Hampden-Hampshire district.
“Coming and going we counted about 100 people. We peaked at about 80 people at one time,” he said.
The rally was held at the rotary at the intersection of Memorial Drive, Granby Road and Westover Road. There were few problems with the exception of parking issues, Franco said.
While some people were affiliated with one of the groups, there were neighbors who don’t want the children detained in their backyards and some veterans who do not believe the base should be used for a non-military purpose.
“It was more of a rally than a protest. It was friendly and we got a lot of support from motorists,” Franco said.
Gov. Deval Patrick two weeks ago announced he had responded to a plea from President Obama, who is searching for a solution to handling the estimated 50,000 unaccompanied children being held in detention after trying to cross the border. He agreed to take about 1,000 children who would be housed behind the secure gates at Westover or at Camp Edwards military installation in Bourne.
City Councilor Gerry Roy, who represents Ward 9, said the group was a loosely-organized combination of people who do not want to see Westover used to house the children.
“It is a number of different pro-American groups,” he said.
Roy, who is on vacation, could not attend the protest but has been in touch with many people concerned about the proposal.
“They are saying enough is enough. They just don’t trust the government,” Roy said.
Protesters held signs saying “We have had enough” and others pushing politicians to solve domestic problems before taking in the child immigrants.
Franco said he personally is against the proposal saying he feels it is unconstitutional to give any illegal immigrant amnesty.
The Chicopee Police Department posted a statement on social media saying Chief William Jebb had authorized a permit for Sunday's rally and said there were no problems.
"A peaceful demonstration was held today at the Rotary on Memorial Dr(ive) and Granby Road. The leaders had notified Chief Jebb of their intentions, and Chief Jebb met with the leaders to ensure a peaceful scene, and compliance with all laws and ordinances, as well as a safe scene for all parties present," the statement said.
The protest is the latest in a series of complaints that have come from the city following the announcement.
It also comes a day after a major rally protesting illegal immigration attracted hundreds to Boston.
Mayor Richard Kos and state Rep. Joseph Wagner, D-Chicopee, on Thursday invited Patrick to visit the city to explain the possible use of Westover Air Reserve Base to house the children who are from Mexico and Central America.
U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal has also been invited to join any meeting or tour with the governor, they said.
The governor declined, saying Kos and Wagner have been briefed and added he will continue conversations if the federal government decides to use Westover.
Kos has argued using Westover makes little sense. It lacks housing and, since Westover is an busy Air Force Reserve base, there are also security concerns.
Each child would stay for an average of about 35 days and that all expenses will be picked up by the federal government while they are being processed for deportation, reunification or asylum. All children’s needs, including schooling and health care, would be provided at the base.