Minuteman group sets up new seminar at MCC
The work of an unwitting political foe will bring the Illinois Minuteman Project charging back to McHenry County.
The controversial group battling illegal immigration will host a seminar Oct. 26 at McHenry County College.
Minuteman leaders say they got the idea from the McHenry County Peace Group, whose protest plans led to the cancellation of the Minuteman's first attempt at this seminar.
The peace group held their own seminar at MCC last month.
"After hearing the Peace Group was at MCC, we thought this would be a good place to check out," Minuteman director Rosanna Pulido said Thursday.
The first Minuteman seminar, set for the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn, was canceled two days before the Aug. 25 event because the city planned to charge the hotel $3,500 for police presence.
"We've had a problem of hotels wanting to rent their facilities to conservative voices," Pulido said. "The college is paid for by taxpayer money. … They can't charge any extra for police services."
The seminar's guest speaker will be Sheriff Daniel Beck of Allen County, Ohio, who has gained national attention for his efforts to deport illegal immigrants in his community, including 80 individuals in the past year.
For the seminar, attendees who are not Minuteman members, or members of sister organizations FAIR or Numbers USA, must pay a ticket price of $50, and sign a waiver agreeing not to act disruptively.
"At a county college, you have no choice but to open the event to the public," Pulido said. "This doesn't mean we want a debate."
Unlike the Minuteman Project's upcoming seminar, the Peace Group's meeting was free and open to the public.
Patrick Murfin, a spokesman for the peace group, called the Minuteman's ticket policy "strange."
"It surprises me that the college would allow that," Murfin said of the high price and the waiver requirement. "It tends to screen out anyone who intends to disagree with their point of view."
Exactly the point, Pulido said.
"At meetings such as the one we're planning, we've had disrupters come in and scream and yell and holler," Pulido said. "This is an educational seminar. We're investing far too much money to risk that."
Len Walker, director of marketing and public relations at MCC, insists that the college does not support the group's beliefs.
"We're not hosting the event. We're just renting them a room," Walker said. "They filled out a form and paid the fee."
Tickets for the Oct. 26 event go on sale Monday.
Minuteman seminar
Where: McHenry County College Conference Center, 8900 Northwest Hwy., Crystal Lake
When: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26
Cost: $10 for members of Illinois Minuteman Project, FAIR or Numbers USA; $50 for nonmembers.
Info: (773) 250-3399 or www.illinoisminuteman.com