-
Apr 23, 2008 7:34 pm US/Mountain
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
Migrant Workers Protest Bruce's 'Peasant' Comments
DENVER (CBS4/AP) ―
Migrant workers and community activists rallied in Denver Wednesday morning to protest controversial comments made Monday by state Rep. Douglas Bruce, R-Colorado Springs.
"I would like to have the opportunity to state at the microphone why I don't think we need 5,000 more illiterate peasants in Colorado," Bruce said Monday during a debate on a bill to help Mexican migrant workers get temporary visas to work on Colorado farms.
The protestors called the comments racist during their news event outside El Centro Humanitario north of downtown. They added that Bruce's statements should not be tolerated, that he should be punished and apologize.
"This is a wake up call to us to say that this is not the Colorado that we believe in, this is not the Colorado we want for our children," said Gabriela Flora of the American Friends' Service Committee.
Many who gathered to protest said they did come here to work in the fields and are proud of it.
"I am very hurt by the comments of Douglas Bruce," former migrant farm worker "Manuela" said. "Because of these "ignorants," as he called us; he is able to eat his fresh salad and his fresh fruit."
"I am demanding that Doug Bruce apologize. He offended not only the Mexican community, not only the immigrant community, but any person who stands for the dignity of human beings," said Megumi Nakamura, daughter of immigrant workers.
Bruce attacked the bill Monday, saying it was about "having more aliens coming into Colorado" from Mexico.
His comment drew an audible gasp from the House.
Bruce said Wednesday he has received about 900 emails from across the country about his comment. He said about 95 percent were positive and none were threatening.
He said they included subject lines such as "You are my hero" and "Tell it like it is."
"Even if all the emails were negative, there's nothing to apologize for," Bruce said. "I told the unvarnished truth," which Bruce said the politically correct crowd is not used to hearing at the Capitol.
Some of those angered by Bruce's remarks said he should resign.
Bruce told CBS4's Terry Jessup he blames the media, just as he did when he kicked a news photographer, for blowing the situation out of proportion and said that he has nothing against Mexicans.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)