Living life as a 'walking ATM'One man's ordeal reflects ongoing violence against Hispanic immigrants By Noah Haglund (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Alan Hawes Marcelino Eugenio Garcia displays some of his scars from when he was shot during a robbery in North Charleston. 
Alan Hawes Garcia holds a photo of himself recovering from gunshot wounds. 
Alan Hawes Marcelino Eugenio Garcia describes how a man put a gun to his head during a home invasion at his North Charleston townhome in June 2006. Lying face up on a patch of grass near Ashley Phosphate Road, Marcelino Eugenio Garcia thought he was dying. One bullet had pierced his stomach, another his left leg. Who would put his three children in Mexico through school? Who would support his elderly parents? Garcia's body throbbed with pain as he watched his attacker get in a car and drive away two years ago. He fumbled for his cell phone to call 911. He gave up waiting for a Spanish-speaker to come on the line and dialed a friend instead. The waiting felt eternal. A woman walked from a nearby apartment and asked if he needed help. She came back with a towel and put it under his head. He took off his cap, then placed his keys, wallet and cell phone inside. If he survived, maybe he would get them back. He had a private conversation with God. "By then I was in bad shape," Garcia said in Spanish recently while revisiting the spot. "I asked God to forgive me." Garcia is more fortunate than some of his compatriots. He lived. He experienced first-hand a trend of violent crimes against Hispanic immigrants in the Lowcountry and the rest of the nation. The new arrivals, particularly laborers like Garcia who arrived here illegally, are much more likely to be robbed than members of the general population. Last year, three Mexican men were shot dead during three separate robberies in North Charleston and adjacent areas. Easy targets Garcia's ordeal unfolded two years ago. He calls it mi accidente or "my accident." Within a month of being shot, he was the victim of two more crimes: a home invasion and an attempted home invasion in which somebody fired a gun into the front door of his home. North Charleston Police Chief Jon Zumalt said street robberies went up several years ago, as soon as large numbers of Hispanics began settling in the city. Criminals took to calling the new arrivals "walking ATMs," easy targets who carry cash and aren't likely to call police. "That's a harsh way to phrase it," Zumalt said, "but that's the street talk." Robberies against Hispanics nearly doubled from 2004 to 2007. Over the past couple of years, Hispanics accounted for almost half the city's robberies — five to 10 times more than other residents, given their share of the overall population. The U.S. Census Bureau said Hispanics made up 5.8 percent of the city's population of just under 90,000 in 2006, though that figure likely underestimates the actual number. Police have tried to curtail the trend by hitting the Spanish-language airwaves and holding regular community crime meetings in the Stall Road area, the center of gravity for the area's Hispanic population. Their message: Don't be afraid to call police, don't carry large amounts of cash, and be careful about walking alone, especially at night after drinking. Many robberies involved these factors. But Garcia wasn't doing any of them May 12, 2006. A trip to the store Garcia was walking down Peppercorn Lane about 7 p.m., after buying long-distance phone cards at La Frontera grocery on the other side of Ashley Phosphate Road. It was daylight, he had about $30 in his pocket, and he was sober; he said he hasn't had a drink in four years. The apartment where he lived was only about a block away. As he crossed an empty parking lot on Mountainbrook Avenue, a green Chevrolet subcompact pulled up. A slender, young man got out of the car and followed Garcia across Peppercorn Lane. The man pointed a gun and tried to rob him, but the language barrier got in the way. He asked for money. Garcia tried to explain he didn't have any. Prosecutors say the man with the gun got angry. Garcia remembers the gun at his head and the man pulling the trigger. He thinks the safety was on because the pistol didn't fire. The gunman stepped back. Then he fired once into Garcia's leg, sending him to the ground. The man looked down on him and fired again, the shot lodging itself in his belly. Garcia looked directly at the assailant. Like so many other details during the episode, he said he'll never forget the man's face. Two nearby witnesses heard the first shot and saw the second, the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office said. Witnesses called 911 and followed a green Chevrolet they saw the assailant get into. North Charleston police started combing streets in the Pepperhill subdivision while a helicopter scanned the area from above. By nightfall, officers had arrested Jerome Harper, then 24, on the far side of the neighborhood. Authorities said Harper switched cars at a friend's house after the shooting and drove to another friend's house. He surrendered after North Charleston officers surrounded the second house on Stonybrook Road. Later, Garcia identified Harper from a lineup. "Us Hispanics, we need to take a good look at the face so that those who do us harm can be brought to justice so that they don't walk free doing damage to us because what happened to me was very sad," Garcia said recently. At a community crime meeting April 3, Garcia stood in front of a mostly Spanish-speaking crowd of about 100 and told his story. North Charleston has hosted bilingual crime meetings at New Covenant Church of God on Stall Road for about a year. Councilwoman Rhonda Jerome, whose district includes the area, said they are the best-attended community crime meetings in the city. At one point while recounting his experience, Garcia broke into tears. But he had some reasons to be thankful. Earlier that day, in General Sessions Court, he had seen his attacker sent to prison. Jerome Harper pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and attempted armed robbery. Circuit Judge Thomas L. Hughston, Jr. sentenced him to 10 years. Others in the audience could relate; another Spanish-speaking man spoke of being robbed and also choked up. 'For necessity' Garcia is short and keeps his jet-black hair shaved, often wearing a baseball cap over it. He looks a decade younger than his 43 years. His English is limited. He grew up one of eight children in the highlands of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico. The family survived by growing crops like corn and beans, their livelihood always at the mercy of the harvest. He said he came to the U.S. illegally in August of 2002, "for necessity." He wanted to support his wife and children. He has two daughters, 21 and 16, and a 19-year-old son. He also helps support two elderly parents. Though he passed only the second grade, he wanted his children to get a good education. But that was nearly impossible to do on a Mexican salary, he said. Back home, he worked at a textile factory from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. During that period in 2000 and 2001, he typically earned $180 a week. "There wasn't any rest," he said. From his small town of Santo Tomas Ocotepec, he knows of people who have gone to North Carolina, New York, Washington state and Texas. He decided to head north, too. First, he arrived in Greenville, then left for the Lowcountry about a week later. At the time of the shooting, he worked at a concrete job, which he liked. It paid $13 an hour, plus overtime. It helped send his eldest daughter to study accounting. The job was one of several casualties of Garcia's shooting. Garcia can no longer do physically demanding concrete work. He settled for a factory job that pays about $5 an hour less, and it isn't full-time. His daughter had to stop studying accounting. "My life, from one day to the next changed a lot," he said. "It destroyed my life." Since the "accident," Garcia walks with a pronounced limp. Bullet-sized scars mark entry wounds. His pants droop because wearing a belt hurts his stomach, now marked by a thick surgical scar from top to bottom. His left ankle doesn't bend and the toes on that foot don't move. He has been talking to doctors about an orthopedic shoe to level him out while walking, since his left leg feels shorter than the right one. It hurts to stretch his hands upward. His recovery in the immediate days after the shooting began with a 13-day hospital stay. When he returned home, setbacks continued. Setbacks Two days after leaving the hospital, Garcia was convalescing on a sofa in the Mountainbrook Avenue townhome when a man with a gun burst through the back door. A nurse who had been attending to Garcia's wounds ran out the front door screaming. The gunman put a gun to his head, then took his wallet and cell phone. A roommate was robbed, too. Police never made an arrest. Garcia said that in the following month, June 2006, another attacker attempted to force his way inside the same townhome. After trying the same rear door, by then braced with a metal bar, the would-be intruder ran around front. He kicked the door about five times, then fired a semi-automatic pistol into the door, a police report said. Police later collected a bullet on the floor near the front door and another lodged in a refrigerator. The incidents were part of a growing trend or at least one that was becoming more visible in 2005 and 2006. Reported robberies against Hispanics in North Charleston increased 34 percent in each of those years. They kept going up in 2007, though only about 7 percent. Some of the rise might stem from police convincing Hispanics to talk to them. Bilingual police detective David Watson answers crime and safety questions in a weekly program on Spanish-language radio station El Sol 98.9 FM. He thinks members of the Hispanic community are starting to report crimes that previously went unrecorded. At the same time, they seem to be taking more precautions, such as not carrying so much cash. "I honestly believe that they're starting to listen to us," Watson said. "I told them to report these crimes, or they'll continue to happen." Immediately after an arrest, police usually see robberies against Hispanics drop, he said. That tells them a single group of criminals often is behind a crime wave. The detective thought it unusual for somebody to have been targeted as many times as Garcia. The police chief said that as a municipal law enforcement officer, he can't do much about illegal immigration but he can do something about violent crime. "We don't tolerate criminal misconduct regardless of who the victim is," Zumalt said. "While I don't condone the people coming into our country illegally, I won't tolerate anybody being victimized. I'm going to investigate any crime on any person in our community. That's my position, whether they're here legally or illegally." Though Hispanics usually have been at the receiving end of the violence, authorities have been noticing that more Hispanics are surfacing as suspects. Police are seeing more Hispanic-on-Hispanic crimes. Before the perpetrators were usually from other ethnic groups. Disturbed There are some things about Garcia's case that still disturb him. Harper, while awaiting trial, was able to post bail. Garcia said nobody told him that his attacker was free. And he thinks 10 years was too short a sentence and that the law needs to be tougher. "He could have killed me," he said. "Yes, they found the responsible party, they detained him and he's in prison, but for me, it's very little time. That's a dangerous person." He holds no ill-will toward Harper's family, though. He saw the defendant's mother in court and felt compassion for her. At least one thing has improved from Garcia's point of view during the past two years— his legal status in the United States. He secured a U visa, a special work and residency permit issued by the Department of Homeland Security for non-citizens. It allows immigrants who have suffered substantially as crime victims or who have helped authorities investigate or prosecute a crime to stay and work in the U.S. Garcia said he's grateful to the paramedics, doctors, nurses and detectives who helped him. "I'm a mellow, peaceful and respectful person," he said. "I'm very grateful to God, that God gave me another opportunity." Garcia still wears the same baseball cap he had on the day he was shot, the one where he placed his keys, wallet and cell phone. It's a keepsake so he won't forget his "accident." He remembers with digital clarity the details while lying on the grass: His attacker's green car speeding away, the woman from the nearby apartment, the 911 call. There also was the brisk traffic, the drivers going by, either oblivious or indifferent to his plight. Reach Noah Haglund at 937-5550 or nhaglund@postandcourier.com |
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Comments
This article has 79 comment(s)
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 18, 2008 at 1:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If he is illegal, why hasn't the law deported him? Because some lame lawmakers are Pro-Illegal.
"" immigrants who have suffered substantially as crime victims or who have helped authorities investigate or prosecute a crime to stay and work in the U.S.""
So he was here illegally prior to be shot and robbed. Now because of being shot he is here "legally" ....
I bet Senator Lindsey Graham, being he is 110% "pro-illegal" had plenty to do with that!
Posted by 8theistic on May 18, 2008 at 2:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WTF? Who Cares? um, isn't there an old story floating around about the Sofa Super Store you can whine about instead? Who cares about the **%^&%$#@ illegals? wah-wah-wah
Posted by BKLYNIRISH on May 18, 2008 at 3:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"It allows immigrants who have suffered substantially as crime victims or who have helped authorities investigate or prosecute a crime to stay and work in the U.S."
Not quite sure how I feel about this...
Posted by pirate42 on May 18, 2008 at 5:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
any crime against any human is sad...BUT back to the issue who....paid his medical expenses!!!!!! he here illegal... BY BY ship his butt back NOW.. DO not waste ink PAPER on a story like this post an courrier why not buy them all a set of forged doucuments.. the kid that shot him hang him in the stall rd area for the buzzards to pick at.. AMERICAN JUSTICE STINKS>>>>
Posted by Slick50 on May 18, 2008 at 6:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
il·le·gal
1. Forbidden by law or statute.
2. Contrary to or forbidden by official rules, regulations, etc.
Posted by billyjoejimbob on May 18, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AWW, his daughter had to stop studying accounting. Lets all feel bad for the poor mexican, who pays NO taxes, has NO auto insurance, and receives my medical care. Poor poor Mexican. Anyone think when this illegal pulls a hit and run at my expense that i'd get an article in the paper....Think not. YOU DON'T LIKE GETTING ROBBED EVERY TWO WEEKS, GO BACK TO MEXICO, file the adequate legal papers, then come back here legally and you can put your money in the bank.
Posted by Paul on May 18, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm totally against illegal immigrants as much as anyone in these posts and elsewhere, but I have always been against robbery and attempted murder for any reason.
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 18, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have about as much sympathy for this illegal as I do an armed robber who gets his head blown off during the commission of a felony, or a crack dealer who gets killed in a shoot out with police. Absolutely none!!!
So, he was robbed during the commission of a crime. So what!!! If he doesn't like it, it's time to pack up and go back to where he belongs. He doesn't belong here, and as long as he is here, he is a criminal.
Posted by bearjon on May 18, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If he had been in Mexico, His "homeland" with His "family" instead of trying to scam the the citizens of the USA, his butt would not have got shot in the first place. Quit taking jobs from legal citizens.
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 18, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Obviously the authorities know where he is. Why isn't this scum in a jail cell awaiting deportation?
Posted by moonpie on May 18, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"so that those who do us harm can be brought to justice so that they don't walk free "
AMAZING THEORY MR GARCIA? MAYBE YOU SHOULD TAKE YOUR WAYWARD THINKING BACK TO MEXICO AND TRY TO APPLY IT THERE?
HERE ILLEGALLY THEN WHY ARE WE HAVING THIS CONVERSTAION AND WHY HAVEN'T THE NC POLICE PUT HIM AND HIS FAMILY ON A BUS BACK HOME. HE ADMITTED HE IS HERE ILLEGALLY.
BY THE WAY WHO IS ROBBING THEM? WHAT A FREAKING MESS THIS COUNTRY IS IN. WHEN A 24 YR OLD MAN CAN WALK UP TO SOMEONE IN BROAD DAYLIGHT AND SHOOT HIM TWICE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE ARE LIVING WHAT WAS PREDICTED YEARS AGO, BLACK YOUNG MEN THAT HAVE TOTAL DISREGARD FOR LIFE OR PROPERTY OF OTHERS. "SUPER CRIMINALS"!
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 18, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is outrageous that criminals like this mexican can be granted special immigration status just because he was robbed. HE is the one that should be occupying a jail cell. . .
Posted by moonpie on May 18, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
By the way until we are ready to take to the streets neither of these will never get fixed. Until we demand that welfare be cut off this will always be a problem, from both sides.
Good post by the way AND GUESS WHAT NOT ONE FOR LETTING HIM STAY HERE! We have got to do something here people, take our country back from the politicians and lawless. Anyone that voted for amnesty we need to send a signal to this June and Nov. I will not vote for Lindsey Graham nor John McCain and definetly not one of the other two. Even if I have to vote for Ralph Nader!
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 18, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
moonpie:
Don't forget about Hillary Clinton. In an interview on FoxNews, she said that she was against enforcing immigration law. Very blatant and in your face.
Posted by tripsa on May 18, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WHO CARES - send hime home.
Posted by Toots2U on May 18, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It downright baffles me as to why the political set, sanctions illegals. Who the heck elected them? It sure wasn't the illegals. So much for elected officials representing 'the people'. Another thing that I don't understand is: why are they still here if they are illegal? I truly believe the day will come when the politicians will endorse an illegal for public office.
Posted by stono on May 18, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"The man pointed a gun and tried to rob him, but the language barrier got in the way." ??????
If someone points a gun at you, the gun is doing the talking and it's a 'universal' language!
I do not subscribe to the P&C because of articles such as this. This is a liberal rag and I won't give them my support/money.
Posted by tripsa on May 18, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
these stories that are not news are exactly why I will not pay for a subscription to this or any other "news"paper.
come on, the guy is a criminal himself and so are the ones that pay him for labor.
Posted by ColdBeer on May 18, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why didn't the P&C contact the authorities during the interview? Am I to assume that if a child molester calls and offers an interview, the P&C would do the interview, give us all the sorted details about how the person was a criminal, paint a pretty picture of the criminal in the article and then leave him alone????
Yes, the people that commit robberies need to be punished, but I am NOT interested in an article that sympathizes with a CRIMINAL.
Noah Haglund should be arrested and charged with aiding and abetting.
The actions on the P&C here are disgusting and criminal.
Posted by dreamer on May 18, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am not one to jump on the prejudistic bandwagon...but this article just infuriates me to no end!
The guy makes $13 an hour plus overtime so his daughter can go to college...Yet I am going to graduate school and working an extra part time job so my daughter can go to college...and my "part time" job doesn't pay but $8 an hour.
Posted by ColdBeer on May 18, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I forgot one thing in my post:
Marcelino Eugenio Garcia GO HOME. You are not welcome here. We do not like criminals.
Posted by JohnS on May 18, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Latino to Latino crime is bad in North Charleston. The city of North Charleston should be more on the federal guidelines where all officers are capable of carrying a basic spainsh conversation for our non english speaking north charleston residents. It's not fair that some residents need to wait to have a spainsh speaking officer help them. The federal government should give the city a grant for this project.
Posted by ColdBeer on May 18, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JohnS, I surely hope our governments don't waste yet more money coddling to people that want to come to the US, but neglect to learn English. We already waste MILLIONS each year printing forms, booklets and such in other languages. In addition that that waste, you want to prevent a born and raised US citizen from getting a job unless they can speak spanish. That's screwed up. People that come to the US should do so legally and, if they want to stay, they should make an effort to learn English. They should expect to have difficulty communicating until they do learn English.
I seldom agree with anything you post, but this is one of the more ridiculous things you’ve posted.
Posted by bankz on May 18, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW it never seems to amaze me the amount of ignorance i read on this post. Who cares he is illegal, he is a living being and his life should be respected not matter where he is from.
Southners please open your mind and grow up.
Posted by bankz on May 18, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
nakedpork I am really trying to find something nice to say abot your post but it is not there. I think you are trying to start a race post and it is not necessary, the story is not about race at all. So please reread and repost a better comment. Thanks
Posted by Histeach on May 18, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Are you kidding me? Why don't we just send them stimulus checks. 1-20-09 the day Bush finally leaves office.
Posted by TheCat_inTheHat on May 18, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
he should walk to the ATM and deposit his monies, that way he is not a "walking ATM"
Posted by ColdBeer on May 18, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
bankz,
1) nakedpork is a troll and is not worth responding too.
2) No one is "disrespecting" the illegal alien’s criminal life. The people robbing illegal aliens need to be held accountable for their crimes. So do the illegal aliens as they are criminals too. Most of the posters have no problem with hispanics in general; it's just the criminals we don't like. I don't see "opening one's mid" to criminals as being a positive thing.
Posted by Mon_Kie on May 18, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If the Mexicans are gone, then the criminals will just turn their violent thieving behavior completely toward all of us who are left.
The Mexicans are not the main drain on the lowcountry, our problems are home grown.
Posted by pirate42 on May 18, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well you can tell the true southerners and the notherens that respect the southern way, than there is those other yankees why dont you pack up your happy arz and take a few mexicans norht when u travel... LOL bet not
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 18, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe if the illegals weren't taking our jobs, the people who are committing armed robbery could find honest work and leave the rest of us alone. The problem was caused by the illegals, and if we send these worthless pieces of garbage back south of the border, this would be a better country!
Posted by ColdBeer on May 18, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The people committing robberies are dirt bags anyway. They won't find real jobs. There are plenty of real jobs out there right now. I agree with Mon_Kie that the criminals would just find new targets.
pirate42, please don't mistake my desire to see all of the illegal aliens sent back home as being part of what you think is a "southern way". I'm a southerner, but I'm not an uneducated, ignorant bigot. This has nothing to do with any old civil war that is still going on inside your head. Sheesh…
Posted by Time4action on May 18, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
$13. per hr. I thought the reason locals hired illegals was because they worked less than min wage!
Posted by UnoCubanito on May 18, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First..If what I am writing had major grammar issues SORRY..I can't stand this topic over and over again with the same stuff....Now Corrections ILLEGAL HISPANICS Because I am Hispanic/Latino and very much an American. Besides being hold up for money can happen to anybody no matter what your status is in this country or background/nationality. Like anyone who has had a crime happen to them first thing you would want to do is call the cops. Oh I forgot since your illegal and speak ahhh no English have a major problem. Who's problem? Not mine. Came to the US from Cuba age 11 I am not 26 yrs old, and robbery happen to anybody no matter where you come from. Thugs/Criminals look for those who are easily taken advantage of so thats just it. No Latino Community in Charleston, Yes you have people who are of Latino background or mixed with it whatever. You have those who happen to be Latino/Hispanic that live among each other who are most like ILLEGAL. Community my AZZ and people are crazy to write a story on this from only one side. Many Latinos/Hispanics have moved to SC for many reasons from all over and are LEGAL. DO you think they want people to just point out they are LATINO give me special treatment NO. Then again the typical looking Hispanic we do run into who is the poster face of Latino Community. As a Latino of Cuban background and family and friends with same background or something else we come in all colors and don't just like to be pointed out for LOOKING HISPANIC. Which I see no ONE LOOK FOR US, person who complexion is black,white,mixed etc could be Latino/Hispanic see them complaining NO. SO TIRED OF WHINING PEOPLE
Posted by telitlikeitis on May 18, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY TO ALOT OF YOU.THE_MOUTH_OF_THE_SOUTH-why should he be in jail???why is he scum???you are the scum and its sad you represent the beautiful south with your ignorance!!!! BILLYJOEJIMBOB-his daugther who was trying to better herself had to quit school.That is sad,now she may end up a dumba$% like you who post stupid comments in her local newspaper because they dont have a life!!!!8THEISTIC-you must care you posted a comment that really didnt make any sense,better luck next time!!!!BEARJON-are you serious think about what you said they arent taking our jobs.Lazy americans could have had those jobs but we think we are to good to do hard labor.MOONPIE-TIPSA-maybe you need garcia to pay for you to go back to school so you can learn how to spell and learn your states cuz we live in SC not NC !!!!!STONO-your name tells alot about you either you are stoner or you live in stono area so you not worried about money.Dont worry GARCIA wont ask you for help and im pretty sure the p&c aint worried about your subscription!!!RAREGAR67-you speak about hypocrites and going to church but the you use terms like black thug and deport them all -wow god is going to shine on you!!!COLDBEER-maybe you need to leave the coldbeer alone because you sound very dumb.I bet you drink budweiser on your porch thats hooked up to your trailor on wheels with your redneck sweating in the sun!!!!DREAMER-GARCIA has nothing to do with your low paying job,maybe you should see if garcias old job is open then maybe you can make more money.Do you know how to to read the classifieds,try it. JOHNS-thanks for your comment that was worth reading.NAKEDPORK-take another sip of coldbeers budweiser and marry your sister you ignorant son of a monkeys uncle!!!!!WE AS AMERICANS LIVE IN A FREE LAND WHERE YOU CAN LIVE AND WORK WHERE YOU WANT ITS UP TO YOU TO MAKE THE MOST OF LIFE AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO WORK HARDER THAN THE NEXT MAN BUT THAT DOESNT MAKE YOU LESS OF A PERSON.AMERICA HAS GOTTEN LAZY AND LOST WHERE WE CAME FROM AND HOW ALL OUR ANCESTORS WHITE,BLACK,LATINO, ASIAN,MIDDLE EASTERN ALL HAVE SWEATED BLOOD AND TEARS TO GIVE US THIS PLACE THE LAND OF THE FREE.WHEN WE BLEED ITS THE SAME COLOR.I WISH THE BEST FOR THE GARCIA FAMILY AND IM SORRY YOUR FAMILY HAD TO GO THROUGH ALL THAT PAIN ,KEEP YOUR FAITH THE LORD WILL KEEP YOU.TO YOUR DAUGHTER DONT GIVE UP ON SCHOOL YOU CAN ALWAYS RETURN.
Posted by moonpie on May 18, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"telitlikeitis"
Jack ass, if your talking about the NC in my post it stand for NORTH CHARLESTON! You know the city in which the crime took place!? Moron get back under the illegal rock you came from.
Yeah and go to school little Garcia I'm sure I'm paying for it!
Posted by dbeast420 on May 18, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OH .....
Cry me a F'N river!!!!
Deport 'em all and MOST of our social ills will leave right along with them. Then,maybe we won't be paying almost 4 bucks for a gallon of gas.
Remember,more demand = higher prices.
Less illegals = less demand = lower prices ;)
Posted by suec on May 18, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I cannot believe thayt most of you are more outraged and wanting "justice" against this man than you do the VIOLENT ones who robbed him and who do this on a regular basis. Your attitudes encoiurage the thiefs. After all who cares if they rob a "mexican"? Right? They are not human. Lower than dogs according to some of you.
I live in a hispanic neighborhood. The only crime we have had lately is, what someone earlier called "homegrown". Young black guys who wouldn't work for any amount of money. It is easier to go rob an illegal who actually worked to earn it.
I really don't know how many of my neighbors are illegal. Most of them are self employed and work from sun up to sun down. They are nice people with families. They are buying their homes and living the american dream that many of the people born here don't deem worthy to strive for any longer.
Posted by JohnS on May 18, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Latino's are more green aware than regular americans. You hardly ever see one riding alone in a vehicle. Also you see them sharing rooms with three or so people.
American citizens can maybe do the same and bring down the demand for gas and electricity.
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 18, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
telitlikeitis:
He is scum and should be in jail because he is here illegally. The reason he was robbed was that he broke our immigration laws. If he were working here legally, then he would have opened a bank account and put his money there. As I said before, I have no more sympathy for him than a crack dealer who gets shot during a drug deal that goes bad. He got what he deserved. Too bad so sad. . .
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 18, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JohnS:
Environmentalist wackos should be captured and relocated like a gator in your back yard. Their philosophy is just as dangerous to the American way of life. . .
Posted by suec on May 18, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He didn't have an cash on him mouth of the south. He was robbed because of the color of his skin and because some poeple are too lazy to work and they get a sense of power from hurting others.
And the thugs get the go ahead and attaboys from people like you.
Posted by telitlikeitis on May 18, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MOON(MORAN )PIE -I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE IN THE SOUTH AND WE NEVER CALLED NORTH CHARLESTON - NC , AND I LIVE IN NORTH CHARLESTON!! THATS WHY MEXICANS ARE TAKING JOBS BECAUSE LAZY PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO CANT TAKE THE TIME TO SPELL OUT NORTH CHARLESTON!!! THE_MOUTH_OF_THE_SOUTH- SO BECAUSE HE WAS IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME IS HIS FAULT HE WAS SHOT AND LEFT FOR DEAD -YOU SOUND SOOOOOO STUPID .REGUARDLESS IF HE HAD A BANK ACCOUNT OR NOT THE BOY WHO TRIED TO ROB AND KILL HIM DIDNT WORRY ABOUT THAT .WE DO NOT VALUE HUMAN LIFE OR RESPECT OUR FELLOW MAN REGUARDLESS IF WE HAVE THE SAME BELIEFS OR NOT.WE LIVE IN 2008 NOT 1950 CAN YOU UPDATE YOUR SELF, RACISM WENT OUT OF STYLE A LONG TIME.I BET YOU ARE A OLD FART WHO LIKES NO PEOPLE WITH A DIFFERENT SKIN COLOR THAN YOU!!!!!!!!
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 18, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tellitlikeitis:
Shouting is the last resort of people whose opinions don't hold water.
And, it's not racism to expect people to enter our country legally, not as a felon. I think most people here would welcome immigrants as long as they enter the country legally, learn out language and leave their morally bankrupt culture behind.
The outrage hear is a reflection of the fact that we have elected officials who don't fulfill their oath of office to protect our nation from enemies foreign and domestic. Illegal aliens are foreign enemies. There is a difference between a legal immigrant and an illegal alien. The former is welcome, the later needs to be arrested and deported.
Posted by telitlikeitis on May 18, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mouth-if you lived in the conditions they do you would want to escape too.our government doesnt care because they could have stopped it a long time ago.the government doesnt want us to get ahead they rather take of other countries.he was trying to surive and feed his family,i dont fault him.
Posted by dreamer on May 18, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Telitlikeitis
First, I do know how to read a newspaper--in fact, I teach how to read a newspaper because that is my FIRST job. However, because the government doesn't want to pay me to "educate the educator", I had to seek a second job to pay for grad. school. You see, some of us are smart enough not to take on a loan and put ourselves in debt, so we work...hard. And the fact that you would even sit there and tell me to 'find another job'. How the hell can I do that? I'm having to learn Spanish so I can speak to half the kids I'll have in my class next year at a public school!
to SueC, do you even realize what you said? You said you live in an Hispanic neighborhood: in SOUTH CAROLINA? And they are all so nice and kind. Sure, they are--and South Carolinians are all mean and nasty?
NO...
The truth is that there shouldn't be so many stereotypes.
I am guilty...especially after reading articles like this. However, I don't believe there should be so many illegal people of ANY ethnicity in America. If theses were legal Hispanic people--like some of my friends who are here, LEGALLY and serving in the military, I would welcome them with open arms.
Posted by telitlikeitis on May 18, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dreamer -do you love your job ??? do you care about your students getting a good education they deserve? you learning spanish is not only for the kids but you are bettering yourself .sc school systems sucks teachers do not get paid enough thay is true .my point is this man did not deserve to be shot and left for dead reguardless if it was here or in mexico,he is still a human being.!!!!! his hourly pay has nothing or what he did with his money he worked for .
Posted by bankz on May 18, 2008 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How about we deport all the white people b/c to be honest this is not your land either.
Posted by bankz on May 18, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
white illegals. theives, killers, rapist, murders. That is how you got this land. Take your as*es to Europe where you belong.
Posted by SCPDBLUE on May 18, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here we go,Folks I've said it before and I will say it again.THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.He has gotten free medical care,free PR because of what happened and most of all he has you people crying foul.Are you right to cry foul? YES,What can you do VOTE,VOTE,Vote those SOB's out of office who play toward the LEFT.Vote in someone who will VOTE NO to any illegal allien program what so ever.You people just wait till MS-13 really moves in ,you havent seen anything till they come a nockin.Remember the PC spot about email questions concerning illegal aliens,did you read the BS replys.People wake up,Our Fed goverment and local goverment will do nothing because they are to PC.I've said pay now or pay later WELL folks you are paying now and Mr.Garcia and many thousands of S.C. illegal aliens thank you,They thank you for free food,housing,Schooling and medical care...To the scum who pray on the illegals,Your day is coming and it will be at the hands of MS-13,who I might add make the CRIPS and BLOODS look like boy scouts.Just like the italian mafia of the past,who helped their people fend off attacks by local gangs and bussinesses who took advantage of them so will MS-13,then like the italian mafia will branch out to take over whole communities,intimmadate local LE and the people who live in them to include the very people who they came to protect. WATCH AND SEE YOU HAVENT SEEN NOTHING. GET OUT AND VOTE,VOTE,VOTE.MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD.
Posted by UnoCubanito on May 18, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
suec---crimes can happen to anyone regardless of their background or the community/location they may life. In Miami have illegals being robbed along with American citizens, and those who were doing most of the crime where American Latinos/Hispanics who saw no race in what they wanted. Of course it's more of a white/black thing here in Charleston etc because it's the majority of the race in the area. Put aside the race of the person the crime is being done too and the color of person who commits it. Yes WE do have nice Latinos,as well as Blacks,Asians,Whites etc and also have evil out those also. Funny story a cousin of mine came in from Cuba about 5 years ago, and got robbed by another Latino. Dude who did the crime knew easy money and no one went in depth with because he was Latino he must not want to work etc. Easy money
Posted by UnoCubanito on May 18, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Also SUEC---American Dream yes when my parents came to this country when I was 11yrs old, and I am now 26yrs old. They and me wanted the American Dream, but the American Dream does it include taking away from it to not try to become legal. Don't tell me they can't (SPONSORS) who will if you ask, but do they bother to ask no. If they love this country regardless if your Latino/Asian/Black and came to this country why NOT try to become a legal product to this country. So you embrace illegals who don't wish to become Americans or at least legal. Outright disrespectful to people like myself and those before me who strive to be Americans ever since before the 30's to now. Other states realize that though they do enjoy working and want a better life; what are you given back or want more from just getting a check to cash. Do you want to be a citizen? Do you appreciate the history of America by those who strive being Latino/Black/Asian/White that brought new things or created things. Don't put them to the dream of those who appreciate this country and want to be Americans. How much is it a problem to. Trust me it's not hard. How come if you go north in New York where you have massive Dominicans/Panamanians/etc coming into the country strive to become citizens even when they come illegal and try best to get sponsors.Why is it OK to accept the fact that Mexicans or anyone from certain parts of Central America do it illegal, but never try to become citizens. Is that okay because it's them verses the massive numbers from other latino nationality .
Posted by telitlikeitis on May 18, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by titanca on May 18, 2008 at 7:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So much anger in this comment, he is a human being and as a human being he deserves respect for his life...it's sad that so many people have so much ignorance and anger in their words. To illustrate, some people, not every Latino is an illegal immigrant and not every illegal immigrant is a Latino.
Posted by Time4action on May 18, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is it so hard for so many to underdstand the diffenrence between legal and illegal? Legals welcome. Illegals not welcome to soak up the the tax base contributed by legals, and citizens.
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 18, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First off, the issue of white settlers coming here is a red herring. The Indians did not have organized government with immigration laws. In fact, the white man did the Indians a big favor by civilizing them. As for the illegals, they don't deserve the same rights citizens do. Since their presence here is in violation of the law, they ONLY deserve a one way ticket home. They don't deserve to have rights, since they don't belong here in the first place.
Posted by hadenuff on May 18, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shame on the Post and Courier. The limousine-liberals are at it again. Last time we were supposed to boo-hoo because of that family having to move to Mexico. This time we're supposed to feel sorry for an illegal who was shot? Now, because he was shot, he has "special" immigration status? Who paid his medical bills? Give me a break.
As far as here in the local area, take a drive down Stall Road or Remount Road and tell me those are all legal Latino immigrants? You loony-liberals have no idea what is going on do you?
Go to http://www.immigrationshumancost.org and take a real good look at the cost of this invasion, in human lives and economic dollars.
The illegal immigrant is not welcome here in the LowCountry. If I had the money I'd put up billboards along the major thoroughfares advertising the sanctuary cities in the USA: San Francisco, Houston, etc. Those cities think they have criminal/economic problems now, just wait..............
Posted by ColdBeer on May 18, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bottom line, they need to catch the guys that commit these robberies and remove them from society. They also need to catch all of the illegal aliens and remove them from the US. We want ALL criminals off of our streets. Anything else is just jibberish.
Posted by bankz on May 18, 2008 at 9:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The_Mouth_of_the_South said "The Indians did not have organized government with immigration laws. In fact, the white man did the Indians a big favor by civilizing them"
You stupid fart they did not want to be civilized, they liked the way they lived. So no white people did not do them a favor.
Hey lets take their land and put them on reservations like captive animals. If that what you call a favor please remind me when i need a favor not to call on you.
Posted by auger on May 18, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I see a pilgrimage from the Stall Road area to the Western Union window at the Festival Center Piggly Wiggly every Friday afternoon on Ashley Phosphate. Should be some good huntin' there. Why is this guy still here?!!!
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 18, 2008 at 9:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As I said before, the Indians were uncivilized savages and the white man did them a big favor by teaching them how to be civilized. Remember, every great advance in human history was invented by the Europeans, with the exception of gun powder which was invented by the Chinese.
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on May 18, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can anyone tell me where/how to find the responses from the illegal immigration forum/questions?Thanks!
Posted by whome on May 18, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dbeast420: Supply and demand of oil is worldwide phenomena. Deporting immigrants doesn't change that equation.
The_Mouth_of_the_South: I guess the 10 digit number system is not that big of an accomplishment; I mean only humans beings use it.
The irony is that I guess that does anyone "Remember the Alamo"? Technically, they were illegal immigrants of Mexico at the time; perhaps, they too deserved their fates?
Posted by auger on May 18, 2008 at 11:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whome said "Technically, they were illegal immigrants of Mexico at the time; perhaps, they too deserved their fates?"
Mexico welcomed these immigrants but didn't become interested in reclaiming those Northern areas until they became a source of immense wealth due to the efforts of the settlers. If weed eaters and leaf blowers had existed in that era, and someone had been willing to pay them for that service, the Southwest would still likely be part of Mexico.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 18, 2008 at 11:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Obama is pro-illegal. Senator Graham loves illegal mexicans also.
Traitors!!!
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 19, 2008 at midnight (Suggest removal)
Call the IRS and ICE and send complaints to Senator Jim Demint demanding the federal law be enforced!
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 19, 2008 at 12:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where does this illegal work at? Who employs him?
Posted by auger on May 19, 2008 at 12:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Living life as a 'walking ATM'.... Smart enough to realize it, but too willing to accept that reality to avoid it. At least the money stolen from these illegals is likely going back to the local economy in the form of prostitution and drug sales.
Posted by whycantitbebetterhere on May 19, 2008 at 12:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Karma. Break the law and come here - target for crime. You would think it would deter. Leaders of Mexico are causing this - they need to fix their country.
Posted by geekguy2008 on May 19, 2008 at 2:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Mexican who got ran over on Ashley Phos Rd. Saturday night was probably an illegal, too.
Posted by eyfigueroa on May 19, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
*sigh*
As usual, here is another poorly written article sparking a deluge of equally poorly written comments. There are many of you posters that have reading comprehension issues.
* Though the victim was here illegally when he was assaulted, thanks to a little known immigration law “He secured a U visa, a special work and residency permit issued by the Department of Homeland Security for non-citizens. It allows immigrants who have suffered substantially as crime victims or who have helped authorities investigate or prosecute a crime to stay and work in the U.S.” IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT (AND YOU SHOULD) PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR.
*This gentleman didn’t “take” any jobs from anyone. That suggests that he “forced” the employer to hire him. He didn’t. Due to lacking enforcement of current immigration laws, employers feel free to hire anyone without fear of prosecution. IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT (AND YOU SHOULD) PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR.
*Though he may have received “free” medical care, the health care system SHOULD have helped him for no other reason that he could have very well been a citizen (when someone is lying bleeding on the ground you have no way to of determining citizenship, I know I don’t carry my birth certificate around) and failing to assist him and thereby by allowing him to die is the antithesis to what America really stands for. Due to convoluted immigration laws the hospital will not go after him and garnish his wages to offset the costs. They will pass the costs onto us tax paying citizens. IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT (AND YOU SHOULD) PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR.
*Not every person featured in the Post & Courier with a Hispanic name is not Mexican or an illegal alien. There are many of you posters who consistently espouse racists and bigoted rants on EVERY article that features someone of seemingly Hispanic or Muslim descent. For whatever reason, there are many of you that simply stick to the issues without denigrating a particular group of people. Conversely there are several of you who go out of your way to say equally offensive things in defense of illegals without giving thought to the very real problem if illegal immigration.
For both groups: You people consistently irritate me, apparently not enough to end my masochistic tendency of reading the Post & Courier and reading and responding to your comments.
;-(
Posted by Test2007 on May 19, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
won't say anything EXCEPT this:
Thanks Eyfigueroa. I understand how tiring it can be to repeat yourself over and over esp on every article that comes out like this.
Posted by tripsa on May 19, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
telitlikeitis = useful idiot.
Suec, where is the country of Hispania?
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on May 19, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
wallytowngrl-I know how you feel.Thats part of why this frustrates me.Several years back I was in between having health insurance.(hadnt kicked in yet)I was diagnosed with shingles (IN MY EYE)I was told if I didnt get proper treatment,with the proper meds,I could go blind.This was per the Storm Eye Institute.I didnt have the money to get one of the crucial meds that at the time was about $800 for a 1 MONTH supply!Absolutely NO ONE would help me.NO ONE! And on my childs reduced lunch form they send everyone at the start of the school year get this- It had a box you could check saying you didnt have a SS#.So Ive been teasing saying next year I'm gonna be Maria Lopez with no SS# so my kid an get automatic free lunch with no questions asked.How is this equal?It's at a point where you could benefit more by being illegal.Food Stamps anyone?It's be nice if my family's income was under the table(tax free) and we didnt have to provide a SS# so we could rack up a butt ton of benefits,all while working a good paying job.
Posted by Newt on May 19, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mouth of the South makes all us southerns look like fools! Some one didn't get breast fed long enough and he turned out old, mean and angry!
Posted by Newt on May 19, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mouth of the South
Oh yeah, those lucky native americans we gave small pox to, they a were so lucky! The ones we stole the land from and forced them to relocate, yeah really lucky that the white Europeans showed up to save them from themselves.
You mean the native americans that did not over fish, pollute the land, over hunt....THOSE savages!
Get a clue....you are the SAVAGE!
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on May 19, 2008 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Again, they were uncivilized savages who needed to be civilized. The Indians should be thankful for all the blessings the Europeans bestowed on them. . .
Posted by Newt on May 20, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You are an idiot! You spew hatred!
Posted by angels_unaware on May 20, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Regardless of how you feel about the immigration issue, it is very wrong to call any human being a worthless piece of garbage. We are all human beings and this man is someone's father, someone's son, someone's husband. We are all created in God's image. If you want to speak out against illegal immigration that is fine, but please do so tastefully.