Tea party plans protest over Mexico ID handout

By BARBARA ARRIGONI-Staff Writer
Posted: 02/12/2011 12:08:16 AM PST


OROVILLE — A visit to Gridley today to provide Mexican nationals with identification of Mexican citizenry and other services through the Mexican Consulate is the subject of a planned protest, even though a Mexican official indicated there isn't anything to protest.

Oroville City Councilor Cheri Bunker, former sheriff's deputy Victoria Coots and resident George Kirby will be among the protesters. Coots and Kirby are presiding officers of the local tea party.

The protest will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the corner of Vermont and Magnolia streets, Bunker said.

Kirby said the protest is primarily because the Mexican Consulate will be handing out "matricular consulars," a type of identification card for Mexican Nationals that some people said gives illegal immigrants legal status.

However, Deputy Consul General Euclides Del Moral, of the Mexican Consulate office in Sacramento, said in a phone call late Friday that the protesting group is wrong.

"They are obviously ignorant of our practice," he said.

Del Moral confirmed he and other Consulate officials will be in Gridley from 7 or 8 a.m. to about 6 p.m. at Sycamore School, 1125 Sycamore St.

He said the Consulate goes to different cities to provide services to its constituents, which international law allows them to do.

Del Moral said that in Gridley, they will issue Mexican passports, information and identification cards — the matricular consular. In addition, the Consulate will provide information about legal assistance, including information about becoming legal immigrants.


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