Published: March 31, 2010
Updated: 9:20 a.m.

Poll: 81% oppose Mexican fest on Sept. 11

BY CINDY CARCAMO
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

About 17 percent of responders voted "Yes, the special 9/11 memorial before the festival will recognize the date's importance." About 2 percent were undecided.

The poll included 541 votes as of 8 a.m. Wednesday.

The poll was part of a story about how a downtown celebration honoring Mexico's bicentennial had sparked protests and angry e-mails after city officials decided to kick off the festivities on the day that marks nine years since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Since then, a group of anti-illegal immigration activists have picketed in front of the Mexican consulate. The group also expects to hold a protest at next week's City Council meeting.

Santa Ana City Manager Dave Ream has said they don't see a problem with celebrating on that day. The city plans to hold a special memorial to honor the fallen before kicking off celebrations for Mexico's 200 years of independence.

Mexican diplomat Alejandra Garcia Williams, who recently took the helm as Consul General in Santa Ana, said she doesn't understand why the group would picket her. The city's decision had already been made when she first took charge late last year, she said.

CLICK HERE to read the original story and scroll down to the bottom right hand corner of the article to vote on the poll.

A majority of the 425 readers who commented on the posting criticized the city:

ecjbmas wrote:

This is not about immigration – it is about common sense, which clearly many of you are sorely lacking.

Only an idiot would go to another coutry (sic) and hold a celebration of their "heritage" on the same date as that host nation's greatest tragedy...

ocsleeper wrote:

"Ok I googled check the exact date for Mexicans independence day. It's Sept 16 which falls on Thursday. So why not celebrate it on Sept 18 which is closer to the exact date then Sept 11? Heck celebrate it on Sept 16 and turn it into a 4 day weekend bash."

Others were supportive of the event being held on Sept. 11.

zandr7379 wrote:

What happened 9/11 is very tragic and it will always be in our minds, but life goes on. This Moreno woman said that it's not a day for celebration or partying, well then let's go ahead an (sic) close up all the bars and clubs that day, oh and nobody can have birthday parties or any other kind of festivities that day either. ignorant! this has nothing to do with 9/11, it's just another excuse to cause hate and racism...

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

http://www.ocregister.com/news/sept-241 ... y-day.html