Minuteman Immigration Group To Meet In AP

AVON PARK - The city whose council considered and then rejected a city bill that would have made English its official language will host a state convention Saturday for an activist group known for protesting against illegal immigration, and sometimes illegal immigrants.

The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps will gather at the Jacaranda Hotel for what its state director Bill Landes called a "training session."

"It's not an open meeting," he said.

He estimated 15 to 20 Minutemen members from throughout the state to attend the convention, including Chris Simcox, the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps' cofounder. The convention begins at 1 p.m. He expected a few protesters might show up but hoped the members wouldn't be too uncomfortable.

On Friday, he also hoped he and Simcox could meet up with it Gayle Harrell, a Republican candidate for the U.S. House seat currently held by Tim Mahoney. Calls to Harrell were not returned, though her campaign manager said she'll be "going door-to-door" in several districts within the county.

According to its Web site, the Minutemen have volunteered to build a fence of its own on the Mexican border and they participate in several "border watches." The border watches are similar to those performed by the better known and similarly named Minuteman Project - also co-founded by Simcox - but the two consider themselves to be separate organizations.

Landes, of Haines City, said the Minutemen have been focusing their efforts lobbying Tallahassee for tighter illegal immigration policies, but he complained that three state representatives from Miami were blocking them, including House Speaker Marco Rubio.

"They're all with the Hispanic caucus down there," Landes said.

Locally, the Minutemen were involved in a flag-waving display in Avon Park. In Jupiter, they protested the use of a hall rented to a Catholic organization that Landes alleged was used by illegal immigrants as a "hiring hall" to seek jobs.