Penny-dropping prankster challenges Emmer to immigration ‘discussion’
Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 1:06 pm
- 17 Comments
Nick Espinosa as "Robert Erickson," via Facebook
Updated: After activist Nick Espinosa dumped $20 in pennies on Tom Emmer’s table at a forum with service workers Wednesday, the GOP-endorsed gubernatorial candidate told him to “come on back. We can have a discussion.” In a letter posted online and sent to Emmer Thursday, the 23-year old said he’d take Emmer up on that offer.
After dropping the coins on the table at Ol’ Mexico restaurant, Espinosa — who has orchestrated pranks under the name Robert Erickson to raise awareness of immigration issues — was removed from the event by an Emmer staffer. But that’s not how Emmer made it seem.
“The poor kid that ran in and did that, I just say to him, have a little courage, man. Come on back,” he told KSTP TV. “Come up and shake my hand and tell me if you agree or disagree with me.”
In his letter, Espinosa invited Emmer to join in a debate on immigration reform at Mercado Central in South Minneapolis. “You told the media that you’d welcome an exchange. I’d like to talk to you, and so would many members of the Latino community,” he challenged. “Let’s set a date in August.”
“Your attacks on the minimum wage for working people make about as much sense as your crusade against the hard working immigrants who are a vibrant part of our community,” he said, linking the servers’ event and his own concern for immigration policies. Espinosa explained that his father, who was born in Ecuador, came to the U.S. as a student at age 18, but was deported eight years ago, when Espinosa was 15. But he asserts in the letter that his interests are broader than his own story, and he invited Emmer to discuss the impact of policies like NAFTA on immigrants.
“Our community would like to talk to you about your past legislative proposals directed toward Minnesota’s immigrants,” he wrote. “You proposed taking prenatal care away from immigrant women. You co-sponsored an English only bill. You opposed the DREAM Act and favored 287g programs. Most recently, you called SB1070 a ‘wonderful first step‘ and your closest allies introduced a copycat bill in the Minnesota legislature.”
“We would like to talk to you about fixing a broken system, about ending fear in our communities, about ways that we might work together to create a pathway to citizenship,” Espinosa wrote.
Update: Despite urging Espinosa to “have a little courage” to talk with Emmer face to face, Emmer’s campaign says he won’t accept the invitation.
17 Comments
Pingback posted July 15, 2010 @ 1:18 pm
[...] as noted by the young penny tosser afterwards, Emmer’s got more tips coming his [...]
Comment posted July 15, 2010 @ 1:51 pm
I wouldn’t give this kid the time of day until he agrees to differentiate between legal immigrants and wet backs like his old man was.
But Emmer, being the politician and infinitely nicer than I am, will bend over backwards to accommodate this idiot.
Comment posted July 15, 2010 @ 2:19 pm
Here’s Emmer “bending over backwards to accommodate this idiot”
Update: Despite urging Espinosa to “have a little courage” to talk with Emmer face to face, Emmer’s campaign says he won’t accept the invitation.
Emmer doesn’t bend over backwards, he’s too busy bending other people forward.
Comment posted July 15, 2010 @ 2:43 pm
Why bend over backwards when he can get rich off illegal immigants’ hard labor and then blame them when the economy turns sour?
Comment posted July 15, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
@Dano Yeah, he was born here, so he’s as much a citizen as your dumb ass is.
@Dennis You being the racist you aren’t wouldn’t give any non-white person the time of day, say it isn’t so!
Comment posted July 15, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
Random guy, I must of missed that. Nice insult, what do think your Johnny Hammersticks or somethin’?
Comment posted July 15, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
Dano –
I think what you meant to say was, “who do you think you are” not, “what do you think your”.
You should be careful about stuff like that – it’s hard to take you seriously.
You goofy asshat.
Comment posted July 15, 2010 @ 4:57 pm
go robert! this prank perfectly drew the connection between economic justice and immigrants rights – and shows how much we must struggle for both.
if a server was as dishonest as emmer now is – first making a discussion available and now taking it off the menu – she or he would be fired. minnesotans should fire emmer before he even has a legitimate shot at a governor job.
Comment posted July 15, 2010 @ 5:09 pm
Thomas: youtube “drinking from cups” it’s from that bit and I do believe I quoted it correctly. Penny boy.
Comment posted July 15, 2010 @ 5:27 pm
Dano -
From drinking with cups – “Who does this guy think he is? Johnny Hammersticks?”
Asshat.
Comment posted July 16, 2010 @ 12:50 am
SO, a punk with a criminal father assaults Tom Emmer and now wants to talk with him? Tom told him to come back. he didn’t – he ran like a beyatch. Now, from the safety of the lefty press he is demanding that Tom play his game? Sorry punk, game over. You lose.
Comment posted July 16, 2010 @ 8:30 am
Tommy boy,
You like that word “asshat.” Do you wear your wife like one?
Comment posted July 16, 2010 @ 10:34 am
Never heard that one before? It’s pretty common in some places. Did you like the Mr. Balloon hands & tying knots part?
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