http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/01/AR2008020103260_pf...
Immigration Battle Divides Ariz. GOP
Many Activists Despise McCain
By Joel Achenbach
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, February 2, 2008; A01
PHOENIX -- The protesters gather every morning before dawn, monitoring the
entrance to a fenced compound called the Macehualli Work Center. They are
trying to shut the place down. They wave placards and take photos of anyone
driving in to pick up the day laborers who congregate there. They want
nothing less than to save America from what they call "the invasion."
"Most of us don't feel safe on the Phoenix streets without being armed,"
says Wes Pecsok, a contractor who keeps his pistol in an inner vest pocket.
"We're not going to be intimidated by these thugs. "
The protesters are members of the Minutemen, Riders USA, United for a
Sovereign America. They find a common bond in their rage, their fury at the
government, their loathing of Hispanics who have come to the United States
illegally. They say that many immigrants carry disease, and kill cops, and
rape children.