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Saturday, January 20, 2007
2 arrested in Lake Forest day-worker protest
Workers and activists hold a demonstration after they allege deputies and a security guard said they could not look for work on the sidewalk.
By RITA FREEMAN
The Orange County Register

LAKE FOREST - Two demonstrators were arrested on suspicion of trespassing today during a protest on Jeronimo Road by about 40 day workers and activists in support of their right to stand on the sidewalk in Lake Forest to solicit work.

The dispute arose after a city ordinance took effect that restricts the laborers to standing on the sidewalk when soliciting jobs.

However, the day laborers say deputies told them they could be ticketed or arrested if they loitered on private property as well as on the sidewalk.

Lt. Jay LeFlore, Lake Forest chief of police services, said this was untrue. He said deputies visited the site for about three weeks to explain the ordinance that prohibits the laborers from standing on private property but allows them to seek work on the sidewalk as long as they don't block driveways or traffic.

This comes after a private security guard was hired to enforce the ordinance around the shopping centers on Jeronimo, Orange and Cherry avenues, where the men would wait while looking for work.

Under the ordinance, a property owner and/or a designee can file a complaint with the Sheriff's Department if a person refuses to leave. No-trespassing signs must be posted throughout the property.

During the morning protest, the men stood on Jeronimo and Orange, holding signs in English and Spanish stating "we will not be moved" and "we are a state without borders."

The two demonstrators were arrested after the security guard warned them to stay off private land, LeFlore said.

Business owners and residents have complained for more than a decade about day laborers congregating around the half-mile area. They say the men loiter, urinate in public and litter.

Since the hiring of the security guard, who patrols the whole area, many day workers have moved south to Mission Viejo and wait on the corner of Los Alisos and Jeromino.

"This is why we are here," said Ruben, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who used to stand at the unofficial day-laborer site. "We all have that right. We are just looking for work."

The day workers say they are planning to return to the former site, now knowing they can stand on the sidewalk.

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