Posted on 02/02/2006 10:47:06 AM PST by LNewman
Group opposed to city's immigration policy announces boycott, which local leaders call futile.
A Santa Ana-based immigrant rights group that opposes Costa Mesa's immigration enforcement decision today planned to repeat its call for a boycott of Costa Mesa businesses and for civil disobedience.
Local leaders disparaged the boycott plan as divisive and unproductive.
Nativo Lopez, a spokesman for Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana, first called for the boycott in late January. On Wednesday he announced he'll take the issue to Costa Mesa City Hall, where he planned a press conference for today.
Lopez, along with several local labor unions and Latino advocacy groups, wants to force the Costa Mesa City Council to reconsider plans to train police to do immigration checks on people suspected of serious crimes.
The city's plan is still being developed, and no police have yet had training from federal immigration authorities.
Protesters intend to create a sign to post in businesses that oppose the city's plan, and to avoid businesses that won't post the sign, Lopez said. He also will urge people not to cooperate with police, though he doesn't advocate violence, confrontation or resisting arrest.
"You have to demonstrate that without the cooperation of the populace, the police cannot do its job, and there's no reason for people to cooperate if they run the risk of being a target of inquiries about their status," Lopez said.
He added that the tactics could be expanded around Orange County if Sheriff Mike Carona proceeds with plans to train deputies for immigration enforcement.
As the only commercial business operator on the council, Councilman Gary Monahan may take a more personal hit if many people participate in the boycott.
Protesters on Wednesday scrambled to organize in time for an evening fundraiser for state Senate candidate Diane Harkey at Skosh Monahan's, the councilman's restaurant.
Protesters oppose Harkey because she co-chaired the failed initiative to form a state border police force, said organizer Naui Huitzilopochtli, who is a member of the immigrant advocacy group the Tonantzin Collective.
And because Monahan voted for the immigration enforcement plan, his restaurant is "a perfect target for us," Huitzilopochtli said.
Monahan said the protest wouldn't change his mind.
"I walked outside my door and got called an ... [expletive] four times in 15 seconds.... This is not an educational protest; it's confrontational, and if they think they're going to convince this council member that what we did was wrong, this is not the way to do it," he said.
He was unconcerned about a possible boycott.
"My customers are loyal," he said. "This will not scare them away."
Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce President Ed Fawcett said he hasn't heard any concerns from local businesses about the possible boycott.
Fawcett does not support the city's immigration enforcement proposal, which was led by Mayor Allan Mansoor, but he said a boycott would unjustly punish businesses.
"This approach to solving the problem is not productive," Fawcett said. "I'm opposed to it just as strongly as I'm opposed to Mansoor's plan."
Mansoor dismissed Lopez's protest as "just trying to stir the pot."
The protest effort may increase the workload for Costa Mesa Police Chief John Hensley, who has been meeting with community groups to explain the immigration plan. Failing to cooperate with police won't help victims of crime, he said.
"I'm going to constantly get the message out that we do not want to be enemies of the community," Hensley said.
To Councilwoman Katrina Foley, an open and honest debate is exactly what's been missing since the council voted to pursue the immigration plan in December. Foley was one of two council members who voted against the plan.
"It's a political stunt that the mayor has pulled, and we're all suffering the consequences of it," she said.
"There's no dialogue going on; there's been no committee set up to vet concerns and come up with a fair, compassionate, responsible plan; there is no discussion. There's basically a lot of attacks and controversy."
Councilman Eric Bever, who voted in favor of the immigration enforcement plan, and Councilwoman Linda Dixon, who opposed it, did not return calls for comment.
I live next to Costa Mesa and will make an extra effort to support the merchants.
If your not going to let me break the law the way I want then I will try to put you out of business?? Boy do these people need to learn how the game is played.
OK amigo it is like this. Most of the crime these policemen are answering the call to is "illegal Mexican on illegal Mexican" crime. Goes with the barrio amigo. So if you do not want to let the good policemen know who you are you can just go on killing each other and stealing from each other and raping each others sisters. If you are here illegally you really should go home and let Vincente take care of your problems. Get out of your neighborhood and commit a crime we are going to find out you are illegal anyhow. Suit yourself Pedro.
the big name Hispanic groups have dropped out of these protests generally, so we get these no-name groups. No support from Hispanic citizens, and the Big Business money can't defeat that.
My wife and I were discussing where to go on our vacation this year.
We considered New Orleans. Our little contribution to help with the recovery of the city. Of course, the city and surrounding area is still a bit of a mess.
And we discussed California. Looks like it will be CA. We will plan a couple day stop off at Costa Mesa.
I'll be out and about more than usual. These business signs should be interesting ... "Support your local illegal alien criminals" and such.
You should enjoy your visit. Lots to do on the conservative Orange County coast.
Lopez, along with several local labor unions and Latino advocacy groups, wants to force the Costa Mesa City Council to reconsider plans to train police to do immigration checks on people suspected of serious crimes.
Just what does Larry Nativo expect us to do with illegals who are suspected of serious crimes, present them with a pinata?
Naui Huitzilopochtli, who is a member of the [illegal] immigrant advocacy group the Tonantzin Collective.
Sounds like another fine group.
ping
ping
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Support our Minutemen Patriots!
Be Ever Vigilant ~ Bump!
No, they don't want the actual statistics for illegal alien crimes to come out.
How about taxpayers boycotting businesses that employ illegals?
That makes much more sense.
Thanks for those 2 links.
You have to die for some cause before anyone could consider you a martyr. Just because this Aztlanite's brain has already passed on...
Let no one doubt who these clowns allies are when they choose names like "Front" and "Collective". They are the proactive tools of America's communists.
Good for you - I can see South Coast from my office window and am supporting the boycott.
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
That's why the adjective "legal" or "illegal" is appropriate.
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