Thread: Border battle flares in L.B.

http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_6491287

Border battle flares in L.B.


By Kelly Puente, Staff writer
Article Launched: 07/28/2007 10:41:49 PM PDT

LONG BEACH - Tensions over the immigration debate ran high in the summer heat on Saturday, as activists on both sides of the issue squared off at a protest in front of St. Luke's Episcopal Church.


"It's always been a quiet, community church," said Sgt. Ernie Kohagura, who was one of a dozen Long Beach Police officers there to keep the peace. "But today it's like ground zero."


Members of Save Our State, an anti-illegal immigration group, and members of the Minuteman Project gathered outside St. Luke's Saturday morning to protest the church's decision to provide sanctuary for Liliana, a 29-year-old illegal immigrant, and her U.S.-born infant son.


Several groups, such as Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, came to support Liliana and the New Sanctuary Movement, which works to provide illegal immigrants with safe havens.


The number of protestors grew to well over 100 by early afternoon, with about 40 from Save Our State and Minutemen, and about 100 in support of New Sanctuary.


St. Luke's Church has been providing sanctuary for Mexican native Liliana, whose last name has been withheld, and her son Pablo since June.
Although her husband, Gerardo, and three children are U.S. citizens,


Liliana became ineligible for U.S. citizenship when she was caught trying to enter the U.S. almost a decade ago with a fake birth certificate.

She was deported at that time and later returned to the U.S. illegally. In 2003, her prior conviction came to light when her husband earned citizenship.


Authorities came to take away Liliana in May, but gave her a few extra days to get her affairs in order. Liliana contacted the New Sanctuary Movement and then went into hiding at St. Luke's Church.


Separated by police barriers on the corner of Seventh Street and Atlantic Avenue during Saturday's protest, the two groups of activists exchanged heated words as they leaned over the barriers with loudspeakers and signs.


Susan Yockey, who lives a few blocks from the church, came with a sign saying: "Immigrant Workers Are Not Terrorists."


"These laws are separating women and children," she said. "I support the concept of sanctuary."


Save Our State member Jan Culbertson, countered with a sign that read: "Even Heaven Has A Gate."

"I understand their plight," she said. "But rules have to be followed."
Bob Cabeza, executive director of Long Beach YMCA, brought along a group of teens from the YMCA to film a documentary project covering both sides of the issue.


"I'm Native American, so this whole situation makes me laugh," Cabeza said. "But the problem with the Minutemen is they don't understand history. This country is all immigrants."


Raymond Herrera, national rally spokesman for the Minuteman Project, said the issue is not about racism, but about illegal immigrants breaking the law.


With a loudspeaker in hand, Herrera, whose grandparents were legal immigrants from Mexico, shouted in Spanish, "The revolution can never be on American soil."


Mexicans, he said, should stay on their native soil and fix the problems in their own country.


"The sanctuary movement is a slap in the face to the American people," he said.


The church is "aiding and abetting" the illegal immigrant situation, said Chelene Nightingale, media and events director for Save Our State.
"(Sanctuary) is an irresponsible movement," she said. "The church is breaking the law."


Rev. Gary Commins of St. Luke's disagreed, saying that authorities could override sanctuary and take Liliana away at any time.


"The church is not breaking the law," he said. "We're not hiding her. We're supporting people who have been victimized by an unjust system. "


At one point during the protest, Liliana's two small children, Gerardo Jr., 7, and Susi, 4, came out of the church escorted by Cyndi Villanueva Rios, a bilingual church secretary.


The children held signs that read: "We Want Mommy Home!"
"I love my mommy," Susi said.


Liliana did not come out during the protest on Saturday. The mother has been living with Pablo in an office converted into living quarters.


"She's doing well," said Rev. Julie Wakelee-Lynch of St. Luke's. "She's a very strong woman."


The church's 12 leaders voted unanimously to harbor Liliana, Wakelee-Lynch said, and will continue to help her "as long as we need to."


"As a church, we try to respond to the needs of as many people as we can," Commins said.


According to Daniel French of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, three other churches in the Los Angeles area are providing sanctuary for illegal immigrants.


Save our State plans to protest the other churches providing sanctuary, Nightingale said.


"Our numbers represent the majority of the American people," she said.
Although tensions and shouting came to a peak at mid-morning Saturday, the crowds had dispersed peacefully by noon.


The church, for one, was glad that the protest remained peaceful, Wakelee-Lynch said.


"It's a great example of democracy and the country we live in."
Kelly Puente can be reached at kelly.puente@presstelegram.com or at (562) 499-1305.

Authorities came to take away Liliana in May, but gave her a few extra days to get her affairs in order.

..WHAAAAAT???

Originally Posted by zeezil

Authorities came to take away Liliana in May, but gave her a few extra days to get her affairs in order.

..WHAAAAAT???

Welcome to Hotel California!!!

I hope these churches get filled to the rafters. Won't take those clegrymen long to holler "uncle."

The children held signs that read: "We Want Mommy Home!"
"I love my mommy," Susi said.

Is there any end to the pimping of their anchor babies? These poor excuses for women/mothers disgust me. I want Mommy Home too and the children SHOULD GO HOME WITH HER . . BACK TO MESSYCO.

Originally Posted by WhatMattersMost

The children held signs that read: "We Want Mommy Home!"
"I love my mommy," Susi said.

Is there any end to the pimping of their anchor babies? These poor excuses for women/mothers disgust me. I want Mommy Home too and the children SHOULD GO HOME WITH HER . . BACK TO MESSYCO.

We all want their mommy home also. The sooner the better.

Authorities came to take away Liliana in May, but gave her a few extra days to get her affairs in order.

That was their first mistake! Now ICE appears to be compounding the mistake by not going into that church and apprehending her. Folks, we have another Elvira on our hands.