Thread: Sanctuary church protest in Simi Valley, CA 9-16

From the Ventura County Star.

Note the part where it says that this 'Church Group' has long history of fighting for rights...even for gay rights, something their faith is supposed to be against ?
Simi church will be the site of anti-illegal immigration protest

From staff reports
Friday, September 14, 2007

An anti-illegal immigration group is planning to protest Sunday in front of a Simi Valley church that is offering sanctuary to an Oxnard woman who is in the country illegally.
Save Our State, which has organized similar protests at other Southern California churches, plans to demonstrate at the United Church of Christ from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Liliana, who won't reveal her last name for fear of repercussions to her family, was told in May she was about to be deported. She was offered sanctuary in an Episcopal church in Long Beach. Then last month, she and her infant son moved to United Church's parsonage in Simi Valley.
About 100 people showed up for the Save Our State protest at the Long Beach church when Liliana was living there. Counter-protesters also showed up, organizers said.
"It was an interesting protest," said Chelene Nightingale, media and events director for Save Our State. "A lot of people who were local stopped by and joined us."
Liliana is one of four illegal immigrants in Southern California living in faith communities through the national New Sanctuary Movement. United Church of Christ Pastor June Goudey said the church has a long history of fighting for civil rights issues, ranging from gay rights to racial equality. She wants the protest to be peaceful.
"We're not trying to encourage anything that would be irresponsible," Goudey said. "We don't want a counter-demonstration."
The church informed the Simi Valley police about it, too.
"It's a planned protest, so we'll have resources available if anything does get out of hand," said Dave Livingstone, spokesman for the Simi Valley Police Department.
The 80-member Simi Valley congregation is the first in Ventura County to offer sanctuary, though other faith communities will provide financial and spiritual support.
New Sanctuary Movement leaders have said they're not breaking any laws, noting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials know the names of the people who are in sanctuary. But they hope the movement provides enough protection that lawyers can work with people like Liliana and find a way to stop deportation proceedings.
Liliana, 29, was born in the state of Michoacan and was caught trying to cross the border from Tijuana to San Diego about nine years ago. She said she earlier applied for a student visa but was turned down. She crossed the border again in a different place and came to Oxnard. Her husband, who works two jobs and is a homeowner, is a U.S. citizen and so are their three young children.

Hi MS4P, Though this is in my County ( Ventura ) it is not my neck of woods, we are West County, practically in Santa Barbara County.

Frankly the traffic and ordeal spent going anywhere near Simi is so disgusting I'd rather stay home....yet I know that if we were to all feel this way, our Cause would be lost.

Anyone in my area needing to hitch a ride send me a PM.

This is right around the bend from me. I will be there.

Churches need to stand behind the laws of the land, no exceptions.

Hope to met you there Realbsball.

Yesterday a friend, wavering in choosing to join the fight, said she would not attend Simi Church protest due to wanting to honour the Sabbath. I asked her what what occur if our Border Patrol or our Military refused to defend us on the Sabbath.

We are at War, Soldier's on the forefront of this seemingly endless battle, we cannot retreat, we cannot surrender and there are no breaks for Soldier's on the Sabbath.

RALLY ON!!!

Hope you don't mind if I bump this, it is an important protest.

We need to send a message loud and clear, we will not accept interference to our Sovereign laws!

Can the Church harbor MURDERERS and RAPIST! Illegal is illegal.

The Church is evading Federal law and should be taken to court!

Related story:

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... ic&t=83003

A lot has happened since this protest... We are going back for an even bigger protest on Sunday, Oct. 14. Check this Save Our State thread for further info:

http://www.saveourstate.org/vforums/sho ... hp?t=32627


If there is anyone local to the area, we need to get the message out to the people of Simi Valley. I will be posting a new flyer soon.