Protesters continue fight at church over immigrant
Illegal immigrant given sanctuary
By Cheri Carlson (Contact)
Monday, July 28, 2008


Jim Ibbotoson, carrying two American flags and an anti-illegal immigration sign, protests outside the United Church of Christ in Simi on Sunday. Ibbotoson and others are angry the church gave refuge to an illegal immigrant and her son last year. The church is calling for "humane immigration reform."

A group of anti-illegal immigration protesters stood outside a Simi Valley church Sunday morning waving American flags, marking nearly a year of weekly demonstrations there.

The United Church of Christ began sheltering an Oxnard woman named Liliana last August, as part of a national faith-based movement to shelter and offer legal aid to unauthorized immigrants at risk of being deported. After turning to churches for help, Liliana first found sanctuary with an Episcopal congregation in Long Beach, and then in August at the United Church of Christ in Simi Valley, where she moved with her infant son. She won't reveal her last name for fear of repercussions to her family.

Her story has garnered national attention, and has drawn three or four protesters who regularly stand outside the church during its Sunday service, armed with signs and flags and sometimes yelling out to church members as they pass by.

The larger than usual group of about two dozen filled the sidewalk to mark the first anniversary since protests began outside the Long Beach church, and some people honked as they drove by the colorful scene.

"Nothing is going to happen if we don't continue making a stand," said Chelene Nightingale, media and events director for Save Our State, a group that organized this week's larger protest.

Inside, Liliana, who continues to live in a former parsonage at the church, and her family attended the regular weekly service along with some supporters, including actor Martin Sheen and a group of Aztec dancers who had shown up unexpectedly and later performed.

Church officials released a written statement Sunday, saying, "More and more people support our ongoing hospitality with Liliana and her family, as part of The New Sanctuary Movement ... now active in over 20 cities."

The church and others are calling for "humane, immigration reform" on behalf of Liliana's three young children — who like her husband are all U.S. citizens — and other children whose parents are facing deportation.

They are working with attorneys to make sure families in sanctuary have a fair hearing, according to the statement, and plan to continue their efforts.

That makes Lupe Ostolia Moreno of Santa Ana see red.

"Illegal immigration, to me, is totally wrong," Moreno said, standing outside the church Sunday morning, her top covered in buttons with messages such as "Amnesty betrays citizens," and "No more invasion."

Moreno started coming to Simi Valley last August, when she heard Liliana had moved there from Long Beach. The drive takes nearly two hours each way, but she's made the trek nearly every week since.

"We have a group of people who think they're above our laws, which they're not," she said.

"Ever since I found out they're doing this, I have been fighting to stop illegal immigration."

This Sunday, however, will be her last. She has no plans to give up protesting illegal immigration but will no longer spend her Sundays in Simi Valley.

"I've sacrificed a year," Moreno said, "and some of the other people in the movement need to come out here until she's deported."

Church officials invited those who disagree with them to consider why the congregation has become a sanctuary church, according to their statement.

"Our congregation follows the teaching of Jesus in welcoming the stranger and breaking down walls of division and difference," they wrote.
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