News

November 5, 2007

Ex-Mexican president to be met with protest

By Steve Mocarsky smocarsky@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – While Wilkes University officials are proud to host a lecture by Vicente Fox on Monday at the F.M. Kirby Center, not everyone is thrilled with the former Mexican president’s visit to the Wyoming Valley.

The grassroots group Voice of the People USA, which has sponsored several rallies in support of Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta’s stance against illegal immigration, is planning a protest outside the Kirby on Public Square before the 8 p.m. event.

“I envision it to be a calm rally. No one from Voice of the People will be in the Kirby causing any kind of tumult,” said Frank Scavo, the group’s chairman.

Fox’s lecture topic is “Bringing the New Economy to Latin America.”

Paul Browne, dean of the university’s Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, said the region is under the national spotlight on immigration issues.

“That spotlight sometimes paints a one-sided view of Mexico and other Latin American countries. This lecture is an opportunity for the greater community to hear of the positive leadership initiatives coming from our neighbors to the south,” Browne said in a press release.

But Scavo said Fox’s views on illegal immigration are troubling.

Voice of the People president and founder Dan Smeriglio pointed to media reports stating that outward migration from Mexico increased 152 percent under Fox’s tenure, that Fox publicly blasted cities such as Irving, Texas, for arresting and deporting illegal alien criminals, and has called anyone who is against illegal immigration a “xenophobe.”

And when Bill O’Reilly of FOX News asked Fox if it was OK to allow Mexican people to enter the United States illegally, Fox responded, “Of course,” Smeriglio said.

The protest will begin at 7 p.m. on Public Square, across the street from the Kirby Center.

Some of the speakers are to include members of Voice of the People, The Minutemen and New York ICE – a pro-immigration control and enforcement group.

ON THE NET

For more information on the protest, visit www.VoiceOfThePeopleUSA.com

Steve Mocarsky, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 459-2005.

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