06/05/2007 Barletta backers harass writer with video BY NICHOLE DOBO STAFF WRITER The publisher of a Spanish-language newspaper had to leave an immigration rally Sunday in Hazleton after a crowd surrounded him and began yelling for him to "get out of the country." Video courtesy of The Morning Call Amilcar Arroyo, publisher of Hazleton-based El Mensajero, was covering the event when he was verbally attacked by a crowd who thought he was an illegal immigrant and a plaintiff in the federal lawsuit against Hazleton. Mr. Arroyo is an American citizen and is not a plaintiff in the lawsuit. "For them, I am one of those. They label us all illegal aliens," Mr. Arroyo, an immigrant from Peru, said. The rally was organized to show support for Mayor Lou Barletta and the city's illegal- immigration ordinance. Several hundred attended it, and no other incidents were reported. Several in the crowd began yelling at Mr. Arroyo after a rumor circulated he was one of the people suing the city for its illegal-immigration ordinance, said Pamela Hauptmann, of Bethlehem, who was one of the people who confronted Mr. Arroyo. "Someone went over to him and asked him if he was suing the mayor," Ms. Hauptmann said in an interview Monday. "Then we said, ?Why don't you go home?' " The incident was captured on video by The Morning Call, of Allentown. Some shouted "get out of the country" as others can be heard chanting "traitor." Mr. Arroyo, who also serves as his newspaper's reporter and photographer, was escorted from the rally by city by police for his protection. An unidentified Hispanic man was also taken from the rally after the incident. Mr. Arroyo said that man is also a U.S. citizen. Ms. Hauptmann was captured in the video and photographs as she shouted and pointed at the two men. She felt the incident makes her look as though she is "picking on" Hispanics, which she said she was not. "I am not a hateful human being," she said. "I just want people to obey the law." Mr. Barletta said he did not notice the incident until Mr. Arroyo and the other man were being escorted out of the crowd. He was giving his speech when it occurred, he said. "I was happy how fast (the police) reacted," Mr. Barletta said. "No one was injured, other than some feelings, which, unfortunately, did happen." Organizers of Hazleton's rally are planning another for Scranton on June 15. Ms. Hauptmann said she plans to be there. In the meantime, Mr. Arroyo hopes Sunday's incident will serve as a message that both sides of the immigration debate should remain respectful. "Maybe this is a warning for you on how you do the next rally," he said. "You can show your support, but don't show your anger against one or two guys." Contact the writer: ndobo@timesshamrock.com

ŠThe Times-Tribune 2007

June 22-24 BorinquenFest 2007, Bethlehem, PA Enjoy the Puerto Rican culture and experience artisan displays, poetry readings, musical and dance performances, and a talent show competition. www.borinquenfest.org

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