By Kristen Mack and Nick Miroff
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Prince William County had never seen anything like it. Hundreds of people descended on the county government complex yesterday before the Board of County Supervisors voted on a plan to crack down on illegal immigrants.

"I've never seen this many people come out to a meeting ever, for any reason," said Liz Bahrns, the county's communications director. "We didn't conceive of this."

People began showing up before noon for the 2 p.m. meeting, packing the board chambers and setting up camp on opposite sides of the building's front entrance. Outside, those against the measure outnumbered supporters nearly 20 to 1. Inside, the speakers who addressed the board were more evenly split.

More than 1,000 opponents of the resolution, many of them Hispanic, chanted "Sí, se puede!" ("Yes, we can!"). Shortly after the meeting began, a scuffle broke out in the street when members of the county's leading anti-illegal immigrant group, identifiable by their "Help Save Manassas" stickers, plunged into the crowd to confront the opponents.

Police officers pulled the two sides apart. No arrests were made.

Opponents wore T-shirts reading "Not with my taxes. Not in my name." Some carried signs that said "Rescind the resolution," "Immigrants are part of our community" or "Immigrants are workers." And they waved American flags.

Frank Phillips of Woodbridge likened the scene to a football pep rally.

"This is very well-orchestrated," he said of the opposition. "They bused people in from all over. Last time, they brought Mexican flags. They are smart; now they are trying to look American."

Jose Cruz said he took offense at the characterization, saying he came to represent his people, culture, country and ancestors.

"The message is we are here and we aren't going nowhere," said Cruz, who is Salvadoran and has lived in Woodbridge for 18 of his 22 years. "We're hard workers, and we are here to stay."

Jon Brower, who owns a body shop in Haymarket, said most supporters of the resolution did not have the luxury to show up for the midafternoon meeting.

"I've never been proactive in politics before, but this is one issue that really irked me," Brower said as he stood outside waiting until his name was called to speak. "I don't think someone who breaks in illegally is entitled to any services. They didn't get here overnight. They came one at a time. We can send them back the same way."

The emotion many residents feel about the issue spilled out during the public comment period.

Earl Cronin, a retired pilot from Woodbridge, said to the crowd: "You are not hated. However, you are not welcome; don't confuse the two. . . . You chose to steal into this country like thieves in the night. By doing so, you showed us that you have no respect for our laws. You have no respect for our country, and you have no respect for its citizens."

Digna Viera, who opposed the resolution, said immigrants "need the understanding of the American people."

"We are not bad people," she said. "We came to this country with the desire to work and do the right thing. We shouldn't be discriminated against."