![[Masthead]](http://www.carrollconews.com/images/nameplate.png)
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Post comment
 Navi Romero played with her American flag while listening to Green Forest Mayor Richard Deweese speak at a petition signing Sunday during the noon hour. Deweese, along with 86 others, signed a petition to ask Senator Blanche Lincoln and Congressman John Boozman to work together with the United States Legislature to come up with a solution for the nation-wide immigration problem. Virginia Wietecha / Carroll County News [Click to enlarge] |
"We accomplished what we were looking to accomplish," said Juan Chavez, Hispanic community leader who also serves as Justice of the Peace for the Carroll County Quorum Court.
He said they collected 87 signatures "politely" requesting Senator Blanche Lincoln and Representative John Boozman to "fix an old and broken immigration system."
The petition reads they are "not asking for amnesty for the 11 plus million people that live in this country illegally, in fact, we are against amnesty."
Guest Speaker Mayor Richard Deweese spoke about the issues involving immigration, and then led the crowd with the pledge of allegiance, while demonstrators proudly waved American flags in the air.
Arturo Calvillo, Green Forest business owner, also spoke at the event, and asked his fellow-Hispanics to become citizens so they can vote, saying that it was "the most important thing."
He added that participating in a nation-wide ban of anything American expected for May 1, in which Hispanics are asked not to buy, sell or work with American products, would only "hurt our wallets.
"If you really want to change something, become citizens and start voting," he urged.
"If we don't change the system, our grandsons and great-grandsons will have the same problems," he added.
No police presence was needed at the event; however, Chief John Bailey said he "came out briefly, and there were absolutely no problems."