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.
He's just a real-l-ly special person. GAK!
Membership in a CoC use to mean something else ... don't see them maintaining that status.
What other lawbreakers will they be boycotting for next? It's no wonder so many Latino countries are $h!+. A country can only be as good as its people.
Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? (heh heh heh heh)...the Spectre knows.
Who are you trying to kid? Name one article that shows any "harassment of American Born Mexicans ( I assume that's what you're referring to). I can show you plenty that are the reverse. Many American Mexicans are being called coconut and being threatened by those you support
You are always whinning that we here on this forum call illegal aliens "criminals".
Here's a challenge for you. Show me any proof of US citizens harming illegal aliens (other than other "immigrants" who exploit them!) I will give you a hundred examples of US citizens being killed, rapped, robbed, run over by drunk aliens to every one you can produce. I'll even give you one (the only one I know of). A couple months ago some illegals were killed by a group of inner city gangbangers.
One last question. Do you think it's okay for illegls to stand on the street corners demanding that US citizens get out of "their country" because it belongs to the illegals??
Put up or shut up.
Sorry - this question took more time than I had last night - so, "what I am trying to achieve in life?" Whew! First, I know that I am nothing, and can achieve nothing, without my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So, I have to love Him and love my neighbor (including aliens living in the U.S.) as myself. That means knowing and obeying Him is the most important achievement - is that what you are asking?
Apart from that, the most important "job" I have is being the head of a Christian household, where I must love my wife as Christ loves the Church and raise up our son to be a good Christian citizen. As a Christian, I am also called to bring the Good News to people and invite them into God's family, develop them into Christlike maturity, and equip them for their ministry in the Church and life mission in the world, in order that we all magnify God’s name. What I am trying to achieve here on this thread is strike some balance between rounding up / deporting every person with Brown skin and completely open borders - there must be SOME compromise there.
Finally, am I "wealthy"? As I stated above, spiritually, I could not be more rich, and compared to the rest of the world, most Americans are economically "wealthy" but yes, even for our area, we are well off financially, but very conscious and proactive about where we will spend money. That's why I think Costa Mesa should think twice about its immigration-enforcement plan - South Coast will lose money, and not just from me.
Now, if you (or anyone else) is caught up in the allure of money and materialism that surrounds us (especially here in Southern California), and you want a fresh perspective on what the Bible says about stewardship, then come to our Church service this weekend: www.saddleback.com If you want the truth, what we think we own really belongs to God. That being said, I don't think I was "boasting" about my wealth above - if the person I was asking that honest question took it as such, I sincerely apologize - I thought he understood the question exactly as intended since we went on to discuss and eventually agree to disagree about where we each will spend our money.
Any more questions?
If the City of Costa Mesa goes through with its immigration enforcement plan, my family will join Nativo Lopez's call for a boycott - that's what I meant by "our" - I did not even know his name before the City's actions.
I have decided, thank you very much.
How can you possibly have a problem with this. It's about aliens suspected of CRIMES!
You stand only for criminality. Doesn't bode well for your claim of Christianity.
People like you are a threat to this country and it doesn't matter a bit what color you are. Treason knows no color.
Now, my question AGAIN. Name some facts about crime against illegal aliens by your dreaded "white man"!
I just answered you question - sorry it was not fast enough for you - I will agree that treason knows no color though.
Nice try. No, you didn't answer the question. Give me examples of murders, rapes, drunk driving homicides,etc. against illegals by US citizens. You and I both know that more Americans have died at the hands of illegal aliens than died on 9/11. Sure illegals are exploited and you condone it. I don't.
Put up or shut up.
Well, I'm not shutting up, especially since my point has never been that there are lots and lots of "murders, rapes, drunk driving homicides, etc. against illegals by U.S. citizens" - if I come across some examples, I will do my best to forward them to you.
Perhaps you are mistaking me for someone else who is "always whinning that we here on this forum call illegal aliens 'criminals'"?
I don't see your answer to Watching's question.
Since the police will only be checking the legal status "... on people suspected of serious crimes..." that doesn't seem to leave much leeway for "harrasment of anyone with brown skin" (parphrased).
You would have to first be suspected of a "serious crime" to have your legal status checked.
Why would you (or anyone) have a problem with this policy ?
Here are the only "questions" Watching has asked, and I've answered both:
"Who are you trying to kid?"
"Do you think it's okay for illegls to stand on the street corners demanding that US citizens get out of 'their country' because it belongs to the illegals??"
And, one "challenge" (which I have addressed as well):
"Show me any proof of US citizens harming illegal aliens (other than other 'immigrants' who exploit them!) I will give you a hundred examples of US citizens being killed, rapped, robbed, run over by drunk aliens to every one you can produce. I'll even give you one (the only one I know of). A couple months ago some illegals were killed by a group of inner city gangbangers."
As for your question, I believe they will start "suspecting" more and more brown-skinned people of serious crimes as a ruse to ask their immigration status - but if EVERY person regardless of color is asked to prove he / she is an American citizen when arrested in the City of Costa Mesa, then I would not have a problem - equal protection thing. Now, do you think the City is going to be checking the immigration status of every black or white person they arrest?
I think they know how to play the game just fine. The game is keep testing the boundaries until somebody stops you. So far, this country has been acting like... wellll like... like an excessively feminine male getting picked on in the schoolyard. Ooouch! Stop, oh that HURTS! WAAH!
I didn't say I would support it - I said I would have no problem with it, i.e. I would be neutral and would not join the boycott - but I atill think there are much more important priorities for local police. At least it would not be an equal protection violation.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.