Thread: Motorists' flag-waving curbed

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Motorists' flag-waving curbed
Some see Hispanics as Aurora's target with new ordinance
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By Rhianna Wisniewski
Special to the Tribune

May 10, 2007

The Aurora City Council voted Tuesday to pass an ordinance that will effectively ban celebratory flag-waving and honking from vehicles -- an ordinance geared to curb what some people have deemed out-of-control impromptu celebrations by the city's Hispanic residents.

Although unanimous in their decision Tuesday, aldermen questioned the intent and reach of the ordinance, saying they were concerned that it would be seen as racist and would hamper sanctioned celebrations.

Alayne Weingartz, corporation counsel for the city, said the language of the ordinance is not intended to address one specific group of people. But Ald. Juany Garza has been candid about the ordinance's original purpose.

In a city with nearly 40 percent Mexican-Americans, days like Cinco de Mayo, which was celebrated in the city on Sunday, and Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16), have become problematic for the city, some have said.

Residents drive around their blocks, honking horns and waving the Mexican flag from their vehicles, Garza said, causing traffic congestion and endangering pedestrians and other drivers. The ordinance will try to curb those celebratory actions, imposing a $250 fine for each offense, and allowing seizure of a person's vehicle after a third offense.

So far, Garza said, the majority of the comments she's gotten have been positive.

"I've received so many calls from my residents," she said. "They don't want so much noise and so much danger. People were afraid to leave their homes."

Garza said one resident went so far as to get a hotel on the 4th of July and during the Mexican Independence Day festival, so she didn't have to deal with the noise. The only negative comments Garza said she heard was from an Aurora resident complaining on a Spanish-speaking radio station.

"The way they talk on the radio -- they say that is nothing they can do to celebrate," Garza said. "But that is not true. We have parades and places to make festivals."

In a lively discussion Tuesday night, aldermen also questioned what other celebrations the ordinance would apply to, raising concerns about high school sport rallies and wedding processions.

Ald. Rick Lawrence was concerned that the ordinance would stop motorcycles and motorcades in funerals from displaying or waving flags. Ald. Lynda Elmore questioned whether wedding parties would be fined for unnecessarily honking horns in the procession from the church to the reception.

Although aldermen asked for additional language to be added to clearly define what was outlawed, Weingartz said that all instances of such unnecessary noise would be outlawed, but that the enforcement would be up to the judgment of the city's police.

"It could potentially apply to all of those things," Weingartz said. "It's a safety issue."

Garza agreed. "They talked about school busses [when] the teams win and things like that," she said. "It is the same issue. It is a safety issue. The kids are hanging out the windows."

The ordinance took effect immediately.
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

The Aurora City Council voted Tuesday to pass an ordinance that will effectively ban celebratory flag-waving and honking from vehicles -- an ordinance geared to curb what some people have deemed out-of-control impromptu celebrations by the city's Hispanic residents.

I hope the city shuts the illegals the hell up. Left to their own devices the hispanics will soon be raising corn and chickens in the front yards of their homes/apartments.