Thread: CA: Watsonville declares itself sanctuary for illegals

Another city that wants to thwart federal law!
Never been to this area but believe it is heavily ag business.
Ahhhh, California...
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May 9, 2007


Watsonville declares itself sanctuary for illegals
By Donna Jones
Sentinel Staff Writer
WATSONVILLE — Watsonville proclaimed itself a sanctuary for undocumented workers Tuesday.

The symbolic action came as part of a City Council resolution opposing immigration raids and directing police not to cooperate with federal immigration officials.

But the resolution did not go far enough for some who packed the council chamber to urge city leaders to direct police to notify residents when federal immigration officers come to town.

"I don't think it's such a big thing we're asking to add one clause for the people of Watsonville to be notified," Ramiro Medrano said in a fiery appeal that drew loud applause and chants of "Justicia" from the crowd. "Families are being torn apart. Children are being left without parents. Aren't police supposed to be protecting the people of Watsonville?"

A notification clause would put the police in a difficult position.

Police Chief Terry Medina has taken the position for years that it's not in the best interest of police to enforce federal immigration law because it could prevent otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants from reporting crime in their neighborhoods.

But Medina said he's also bound by ethical and safety considerations from releasing confidential information provided by other law enforcement agencies. Police need to know, for example, when other agencies are operating in their jurisdictions to avoid dangerous confrontations.

It's also impractical, Medina said, because if federal officials thought he was going to out them, they'd stop calling first.

But speakers said community members were being harmed by the raids, which have created fear and anxiety. Raids in September that resulted in the arrest of 107 illegal immigrants in Santa Cruz, Watsonville and Hollister demonstrated the need advance warning to the undocumented, they said.

But some said the resolution needed to be passed with or without the notification clause.

"If passed tonight, it will be a signal to our community to go and live a normal life," said Jorge Zavala, a member of Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action.

Mayor Manuel Bersamin introduced the resolution on behalf of himself and Councilmen Oscar Rios and Antonio Rivas. In the end, the resolution, which updates a similar measure supported unanimously by a previous council in 1996, passed 4-3.

The resolution, part of a nationwide effort to put pressure on federal leaders to reform immigration, is similar to one passed in Santa Cruz and other California cities.

Bersamin said he called several cities and the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund and found none had passed a notification clause.

"Instead of looking at other cities to see if they added the notification clause, it's time for Watsonville to lead the way and let other cities follow," Pajaro resident Stephanie Keenan said in reply.

But Bersamin also worried about dividing the community at a time when it is critical for it to come together "to defend the hard work of the immigrants"

"This resolution does not appease one group over another," Bersamin said. "It protects the unity and harmony of the people of the city"

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archiv ... 1local.htm

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The City Council of Watsonville serves as the legislative and policy branch of City government. Its purpose is to set overall policy direction and its mission is to maintain and improve the quality of life of the residents of the City. The City Council is comprised of seven elected members who represent seven districts in the City. The Mayor is elected by the City Council each November.


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City of Watsonville
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City Council Agendas and Minutes
District 1
Manuel Quintero Bersamin
Mayor
(831) 768-3001
mbersamin@ci.watsonville.ca.us
Term Expires November, 2008

District 2
Oscar Rios
(831) 768-3002
orios@ci.watsonville.ca.us
Term Expires November 2008
District 3
Antonio Rivas
(831) 768-3003
arivas@ci.watsonville.ca.us
Term Expires November 2010
District 4
Kimberly Petersen
Mayor Pro Tempore
(831) 768-3008
kpetersen@ci.watsonville.ca.us
Term Expires November 2010
District 5
Greg Caput
(831) 768-3008
Term Expires November 2010
District 6
Edward Din
(831) 768-3008
edin@ci.watsonville.ca.us
Term Expires November 2010
District 7
Dale Skillicorn
(831) 768-3007
dskillicorn@ci.watsonville.ca.us
Term Expires November 2010
Mayor's Office
Manuel Quintero Bersamin
Phone # (831) 768-3008
Administration Building, 2nd Floor
215 Union St.
Watsonville, CA 95076

City Manager
Carlos J. Palacios
Phone # (831) 768-3010
Administration Building, 2nd Floor
215 Union Street

City Clerk
Lorraine Washington
Phone # (831) 768-3040
Administration Building, 2nd Floor
215 Union Street
Fax: 831-761-0736
Email:cityclerk@ci.watsonville.ca.us
All correspondence (City Council & Mayor) should be adressed to:
City of Watsonville
P.O. Box 50000
Watsonville, CA 95077-5000

Fax # for City Council Members:
(831) 761-0736
Fax # for City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk:
(831) 761-0736



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Page updated 04/23/2007

http://www.ci.watsonville.ca.us/departm ... uncil.html

This does not suprise me. If you drive down the Salinas Valley where Watsonville is located, it is hard to find an English radio station, they are almost all Spanish! I did find one English station, then at 6PM they switched to Spanish format! What the heck is that!

But the resolution did not go far enough for some who packed the council chamber to urge city leaders to direct police to notify residents when federal immigration officers come to town.

Well folks, I've seen it all now

Maybe they can reactivate the old civil defence air raid sirens and blast the illegal invaders a warning when ICE Man comes

Or raise the Mexican flag atop city hall as a signal.