Letter asks if group broke law

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Letter asks if group broke law Friday, November 21, 2003

D. Craig MacCormack (North Attleboro) Metrowest Daily News

FRAMINGHAM -- The executive director of the MetroWest Latin American Center yesterday joined the critics of a group of Framingham residents who banded together last week to oppose illegal immigration.
In a letter to selectmen, Nancy Morse, executive director of the regional cultural center, said the Nov. 13 get-together of the Concerned Citizens and Friends of Immigration Law Enforcement "resulted in inflaming an environment of hostility towards Brazilians and other immigrants in the MetroWest area."
Morse asked the town to investigate if any law was broken at the meeting hosted by a part-time town employee and to subpoena any materials and videos "that communicate harassment and intimidate or coerce individuals to harm the immigrant population."
The often boisterous two-hour affair was marked by co-founder Joe Rizoli's declaration that Framingham was being "raped" by immigrants and said some immigrants treated town as if it were "the Wild West."
Morse wrote that center officials are concerned that CCFILE's meeting violated Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Code of Federal Regulations issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Council.
The code forbids "creation of an atmosphere of inferiority, isolation, and intimidation, based on national origin which could result in a discriminatory environment."
Selectmen will forward the letter to Town Counsel Chris Petrini, who will determine if any civil rights violations took place at the meeting at the library.
Rizoli, who tapes Planning Board meetings for the town, said three people have asked to join the group since its first meeting last week. His group is targeting illegal immigrants who commit documentation fraud, he said.
The group is seeking legal immigrants "who have gone through the arduous legal process to becoming American citizens," he said in a letter to the News this week.
Selectmen Chairman Charles Sisitsky wondered if the session was considered improper use of a town-owned building, but officials pointed out the group was likely charged a fee.
Vice Chairwoman Ginger Esty echoed comments by fellow Selectman Esther Hopkins that press coverage of the event was to blame for some of the fallout from the meeting.
"That may have been more inflammatory than the actual meeting itself," she said. "The stories and the headlines that went with them gave the impression that the group was against all immigrants, not just illegal ones."

Letter asks if group broke law	Friday, November 21, 2003
D. Craig MacCormack (North Attleboro)	Metrowest Daily News
FRAMINGHAM -- The executive director of the MetroWest Latin American Center yesterday joined the critics of a group of Framingham residents who banded together last week to oppose illegal immigration. In a letter to selectmen, Nancy Morse, executive director of the regional cultural center, said the Nov. 13 get-together of the Concerned Citizens and Friends of Immigration Law Enforcement "resulted in inflaming an environment of hostility towards Brazilians and other immigrants in the MetroWest area." Morse asked the town to investigate if any law was broken at the meeting hosted by a part-time town employee and to subpoena any materials and videos "that communicate harassment and intimidate or coerce individuals to harm the immigrant population." The often boisterous two-hour affair was marked by co-founder Joe Rizoli's declaration that Framingham was being "raped" by immigrants and said some immigrants treated town as if it were "the Wild West." Morse wrote that center officials are concerned that CCFILE's meeting violated Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Code of Federal Regulations issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Council. The code forbids "creation of an atmosphere of inferiority, isolation, and intimidation, based on national origin which could result in a discriminatory environment." Selectmen will forward the letter to Town Counsel Chris Petrini, who will determine if any civil rights violations took place at the meeting at the library. Rizoli, who tapes Planning Board meetings for the town, said three people have asked to join the group since its first meeting last week. His group is targeting illegal immigrants who commit documentation fraud, he said. The group is seeking legal immigrants "who have gone through the arduous legal process to becoming American citizens," he said in a letter to the News this week. Selectmen Chairman Charles Sisitsky wondered if the session was considered improper use of a town-owned building, but officials pointed out the group was likely charged a fee. Vice Chairwoman Ginger Esty echoed comments by fellow Selectman Esther Hopkins that press coverage of the event was to blame for some of the fallout from the meeting. "That may have been more inflammatory than the actual meeting itself," she said. "The stories and the headlines that went with them gave the impression that the group was against all immigrants, not just illegal ones."

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