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Saturday, April 8, 2006
Immigration reform rally peaceful
About 100 return to Costa Mesa City Hall to wave flags and call for immigration reform and enforcement

By VALERIA GODINES
The Orange County Register

About 100 people carrying American flags gathered in front of Costa Mesa City Hall today to protest recent rallies where the Mexican flag was raised.

The protest is one in a recent series of events sponsored by anti-illegal immigrant groups and immigrant-rights groups who are furious over proposed legislation on immigration. Last week, 1,200 came to Costa Mesa to protest proposed legislation -- and about 20 counter-protesters came to call for enforcement. On March 25, 500,000 people marched in Los Angeles to protest the pending federal legislation.

"This is my first time doing something like this. It’s time to get involved," said 55-year-old Linda Newman of Costa Mesa. "It’s not about racism. It’s about illegal immigration. We’ve always welcomed immigrants. We just want them to be legal."

Frank Garcia, 36, of Minnesota, who happened to be walking past the protest, disagreed with the event. "I think what makes America America is that you can wave any flag you want. You can be patriotic and wave your heritage flag," he said.

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