Priceless. That’s how I describe witnessing Human Rights Commissioners ’keeping Corey Stewart’s chair warm’ while Corey & John Stirrup sat at tables below facing the Commissioners. It was odd that each table had a single microphone so there was some jockeying for an acceptable spot when called upon to answer a question.

Stirrup was very quickly told that his opening comments had little to do with the purpose of the Commission but was offered the opportunity to debate Chairperson Linda Chavez on his subject matter at another time.

The Commission asked for any empirical data used in the County’s determination that ‘illegal immigration’ had caused ‘economic hardship and lawlessness’ or if it was based on anecdotal evidence. The County Executive referred to his report that identifies ‘plus or minus’ $3 million as partial justification for the resolution.  According to Stewart’s own statements this is an ‘insignificant’ amount of money when considering the County’s $800 million budget.  Also mentioned by Stewart were jail and gang statistics along with a good helping of anecdotal information. Anecdotal meaning unsubstantiated complaints like those we so often hear about loss of ‘quality of life.’

Chavez likened the Immigration Resolution to a scene in Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland where the Queen of Hearts(played by Corey Stewart) asks the King - ’sentence first, verdict afterwards.’ She compared it to the part of the resolution that reads,

WHEREAS, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors has determined that illegal immigration is causing economic hardship and lawlessness in this County…

Hats off to Annabel & Eric for getting this whole exchange on video.