Minutemen protest illegal hirings

Group will post photos of those who offer jobs

By Sahra Susman, Staff Writer
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Photo by Mediha Fejzagic DiMartino/Staff Photographer
Article Launched:04/12/2007 12:00:00 AM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Members of the Minuteman Project gathered at Grove Avenue and Arrow Highway on Wednesday to protest what they say are the illegal hiring practices of day laborers.

Raymond Herrera, Minuteman Project National Rally spokesman, said his group was protesting employers who pick up day laborers and pay them "slave wages."

The group distributed literature stating that it would photograph or film employers who hired workers off the street and post it on the Internet.

"We're here to stand up against the illegal employer," Herrera said.

At a similar event two weeks ago, the Minuteman Project called off its protest when members of the White Legion Knights of the Ku Klux Klan from Yucaipa arrived. Minuteman Project members said they did not want to associate with racist groups.

When the Minuteman Project returned to the intersection Wednesday morning, only about 10 protesters were there.

The intersection of Arrow and Grove divides Rancho Cucamonga and Upland and has been a traditional meeting spot for day laborers who congregate there looking for work.