Thread: Police move in on protesters in street

Published: June 14, 2010
Updated: 4:04 p.m.

Police move in on protesters in street

BY CINDY CARCAMO and IAN HAMILTON
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

COSTA MESA – Dancing devils and arrested clergy at South Coast Plaza are just a couple of ways a group of immigrant rights' leaders plan to denounce the city's recent resolution against people who are in the country illegally.

At 3 p.m. Monday, a rally of about 200 people is expected to take place on the corner of Bristol St. and Anton Blvd. at South Coast Plaza, near the 405 Freeway.

The protest, which is expected to include acts of civil disobedience, is in reaction to city officials declaring Costa Mesa a "Rule of Law City," stated leaders with Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles who planned the rally.

This is the latest in a string of protests, denunciations and backlash directed at the city, which has taken a strong stance against illegal immigration.

The city may have been playing politics with their deal to buy the Orange County Fairgrounds from the state, after some Latino lawmakers in Sacramento are now threatening to block the sale after city officials passed the resolution. Click here to read the story.

At the behest of long-time illegal immigration opponent Mayor Allan Mansoor, the City Council's resolution makes it clear that people who are in the country illegally are not welcome in Costa Mesa. Click here to read the story.

A few dozen leaders, including clergy also expect to be arrested by blocking access to the street and 405 freeway entrance, the group announced in a press release Monday.

"Our focus is how a broken immigration system breaks apart families," said Rabbi Jonathan Klein, executive director for the Los Angeles chapter of Clergy and Leity United for Economic Justice.

Klein plans to be arrested along with other clergy from a Presbyterian Church and African-American Methodist church.

"The goal is to get people to recognize how a broken system leads to exploitation of workers. We have a general religious them, a moral frame that is we love the stranger," Klein said.

Those blocking the street will wear black T-shirts with white lettering that reads "I'Mmigrant: America's Story," organizers stated.

Immigrant rights activists and organizers also planned to perform street theater skits on how immigration enforcement affects daily life for people who are in the country illegally, leaders said.

Mansoor and local Congressman Dana Rohrabacher – both long-time illegal immigration critics – will be depicted by dancing devils, the announcement stated.

Protesters are expected to carry banners and posters, such as those reading "Legalization for All", "and "No to Immigrant Scapegoating."
This protest is the latest attempt by local residents to showcase their feelings about the controversial law Arizona law – one of the most controversial in the nation.

A group of 40 locals returned early Monday from a Sunday rally in Phoenix, where they joined others critical of the law. Click here to read the story.
The weekend before, the Register followed a group of 15 local anti-illegal immigration activists who left Garden Grove for a rally in Phoenix.

The "Phoenix Rising" event on Saturday drew hundreds to the state capitol
in support of the law. Click here to read the story.

The law has also sparked an anti-Arizona protest in Santa Ana and a flurry of city officials to request that their city either denounce or support the law.

To read a comprehensive story on Orange County cities' reactions to this issue, click here.

Santa Ana was the first city in the county to take on the law and as of yet the only city to denounce it. On the other side, cities such as Yorba Linda and Orange have voted in a resolution to support the law.

A councilwoman in Villa Park unsuccessfully tried to get her city to take on the resolution, while a Cypress councilman plans to introduce a resolution in support of the law at the city's Monday council meeting. Click here to read the story.

Rancho Santa Margarita council members also backed the law this week and will vote later this month on a resolution to support it.

In addition, the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County issued a declaration denouncing the law.

SB1070 makes it a crime to lack immigration papers in Arizona and requires police to ask for documentation of legal status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that the person they stopped is in the country illegally.

The law only takes place when someone is stopped on suspicion of violating another law. The law was also later amended to discourage racial profiling.

Regardless, critics have said the law is still too vague, because it's left up to the interpretation of the officer as to what "reasonable suspicion" may be when determining whether the person is in the country illegally.

Anti-illegal immigration activists are calling for people to support Arizona's crackdown, stating that it is the only way the state can defend itself after becoming the nation's busiest corridor for illegal immigration and smuggling.

The law is expected to go into effect in July but may be delayed by pending court challenges.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7924 or ccarcamo@ocregister.com

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/law- ... tml?data=0

We should have these protests in all sanctaury cities who protect these criminals. We are a "rule of law" country, get used to it..don't like it? Please leave, seriously, please leave!

At the behest of long-time illegal immigration opponent Mayor Allan Mansoor, the City Council's resolution makes it clear that people who are in the country illegally are not welcome in Costa Mesa.

I applaude Costa Mesa!

Our focus is how a broken immigration system breaks apart families," said Rabbi Jonathan Klein, executive director for the Los Angeles chapter of Clergy and Leity United for Economic Justice.

Yes, it does - the families of Americans who were killed by illegals, either by drunk driving or through violence.

go Costa Mesa.
you have my support even if i dont live in your town