“Freedom of speech” is my interpretation of the First Amendment. Which to me, means exactly what it says. There have been several letters to the editor on the controversial float in the parade on July 3. M.C.I.R. means Minnesota Coalition for Immigration Reduction, of which I am totally in favor.

Regarding Ms. Garcia’s letter to the Tribune July 13, she says Mr. Paul Westrum’s letter in the July 8 edition was blatantly racist, and that she is not proud to say Mr. Westrum is an American. What does this sound like? Another writer said a float such as this had no place in this parade. Isn’t this what Independence Day is all about — freedom of speech?

Another writer, Mr. Utpadel, said the sign insulted our intelligence, and that it should be a place to honor and reflect on our past and our future. You don’t have to be too intelligent to determine the difference between legal and illegal. Something to consider is that the sign would not have created all this attention had the rock not been thrown.

One estimate is that there are between 20 and 30 million illegal immigrants in this country right now! This cannot go on! I served in the military during World War II to stop the invasion from the west.

Am I now forced to stand aside and watch as illegals (from all borders) move in while most of our politicians do absolutely nothing? Somehow I sense something is wrong here!

Robert Petersen

Albert Lea