Minuteman rally draws 100

EVERETT – Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist delivered a rousing speech to about 100 supporters at a rally in Everett Saturday evening.

The 58-year-old firebrand activist from Southern California was the keynote speaker of the Illegal Immigration Summit, which included an Everett City Council candidate and a GOP presidential hopeful who spoke to the audience via speakerphone.

During his 45-minute talk, Gilchrist, dressed in a dark suit, praised the defeat of a far-reaching U.S. immigration reform bill in the Senate this week. The bill would have granted amnesty for as many as 12 million undocumented workers.

But he warned of a pending “tsunami of immigration” that threatens the country’s very existence.

He spoke against free-trade agreements and employers who hire undocumented workers, and he drew an analogy between U.S. immigration policies today and events that led to the fall of the Roman Empire.

“This is how a nation is conquered without firing a shot,” he said.

Gilchrist predicted that Spanish will become the official language of the United States by 2030 if current immigration patterns don’t change.

His controversial Minuteman Project has placed volunteer guards to watch the southern border for people who try to enter the country illegally.

The project has been the focus of criticism from a variety of voices across the political spectrum, including President Bush, who said its members are vigilantes.

Others, including Latino activists, have called the group racist.

“They’re using fear to motivate people,” said Luis Moscoso, who was among a group of about a dozen people who picketed outside the event.

Moscoso, secretary of Seattle-based Washington State Democrats, said he was particularly troubled that Shawna Forde, an Everett City Council candidate, and Snohomish County sheriff candidate Tom Greene were among the day’s speakers.

Saturday’s six-hour forum held at the Everett Elks Lodge was organized by Minutemen American Defense and The Reagan Wing, both Washington-based conservative groups.

Forde, the founder of Everett-based Minutemen American Defense, encouraged the audience to shout “take back America” together several times during her speech.

Presidential candidate and California Rep. Duncan Hunter spoke to the audience via cell phone, saying he would build an 850-mile wall along the southern border stretching from California to Texas.

A representative for presidential candidate Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., and Republican congressional hopeful Doug Roulstone also spoke. People paid $30 each to attend.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Over a dozen parents and some Snohomish School District students gather outside of the district office to protest and discuss safety concerns after an incident with a student at Machias Elementary School on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents protest handling of alleged weapon incident at Machias Elementary

Families say district failed to communicate clearly; some have kept kids home for weeks.

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Man steals delivery van in Brier, deputies seek help identifying suspect

A man stole a delivery van Wednesday afternoon in Brier… Continue reading

Janet Garcia walks into the courtroom for her arraignment at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mother found competent to stand trial in stabbing death of 4-year-old son

A year after her arraignment, Janet Garcia appeared in court Wednesday for a competency hearing in the death of her son, Ariel Garcia.

Everett council member to retire at end of term

Liz Vogeli’s retirement from the council opens up the race in the November election for Everett’s District 4 seat.

State budget cuts could hurt education work at nonprofits

Programs the state legislature could cut include assistance to children in foster care and a program helping ninth graders stay on track to graduate.

The North Cascades Highway is seen from the Washington Pass overlook in 2021. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
North Cascades Highway reopens for 2025 season

The Washington State Department of Transportation is reminding travelers to stay alert and plan for weather conditions.

Children play and look up at a large whale figure hanging from the ceiling at the Imagine Children’s Museum on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Federal agency cancels $250k grant to Everett museum

The funding helped expand the Imagine Children Museum’s Little Science Lab program. The federal agency did not give a reason for the grant termination.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.