The Orange County Register is reporting that Hal Netkin of Van Nuys was the driver of a Minivan that struck three persons who were attending the protest against Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist's appearance at the California Coalition for Immigration Reform meeting in Garden Grove last night.
Netkin is the founder of http://www.mayorno.com, a website that for years has vigorously campaigned against the election of Antonio Villaraigosa as Mayor of Los Angeles. Regardless of what you think of Villaraigosa and his Democratic Party politics, this site is extremely racist and bigoted.
Netkin also is involved in running the website, http://www.brattonmustgo.com, which encourages the ouster of Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton primarily because the latter doesn't support policies which would give the police more power to arrest and deport undocumented workers.
One of the persons who got struck by the Netkin's Minivan was Jim Lafferty, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Lawyer's Guild. Lafferty was thrown up against the hood of the Minivan as it accelerated into the parking lot. Two other persons were also flung on the ground.
Another person struck by Netkin's Minivan was taken away by ambulance and brought to a local hospital in Garden Grove. According to a friend of his, he was released several hours later. Although bruised and shaken, the injuries he sustained weren't life threatening.
Sincerely,
Duane J. Roberts
duaneroberts92804@yahoo.com
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/05/25/sections/breaking_news/article_534949.php
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Immigration event turns hostile
By MARTIN WISCKOL
The Orange County Register
GARDEN GROVE — An event honoring an anti-illegal immigrant leader tonight was marred by altercations between anti-immigration activists and protesters, resulting in an arrest when two demonstrators were hit by a slow-moving van.
The driver was Hal Netkin of Van Nuys, said Barbara Coe, chairwoman of the California Coalition for Immigration Reform.
Protesters were blocking a driveway when Netkin tried to drive through and knocked two demonstrators to the ground, Deputy Police Chief K.J. Raney said.
Netkin was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. At least one of the protesters was hospitalized.
"Knowing (Netkin), he panicked," Coe said.
Billy Hall, a member of Coe’s group, said shortly afterward that his car window was broken by a protester. Hall said he filed a police report.
The event sponsored by Coe’s group honored Aliso Viejo resident Jim Gilchrist. Gilchrist’s Minuteman Project last month attracted nearly 900 people to patrol a stretch of Arizona border in an effort to stop entry by illegal immigrants. The effort was praised by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger but condemned by President George W. Bush, who called the volunteers "vigilantes."
"I’m damned proud to be a vigilante," Gilchrist told the 150 people assembled at the Garden Grove Women’s Club. "How about you?"
He received a rousing ovation. He also said that deporting the millions of people in the country illegally would lower home prices, reduce traffic congestion and lower taxes.
Nearly 100 protesters picketed and chanted on the sidewalk. One sign read, "Beat Back the Racist Attack."
"Their racist acts are being masked by patriotism," said Obed Sanchez of Garden Grove. "To say illegal immigrants are coming over here and ruining our lives is ridiculous. We need immigrants like a tree needs water. Even President Bush recognizes that."
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