FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Protest against Costa Mesa's Decision to Deputize

Police Officers

COSTA MESA- On Tuesday, January 03, concerned citizens

forming a collective called Tonantzin will converge

upon the Costa Mesa City Council in protest of the

City Council's decision to train city police to

enforce immigration law. The measure was approved by

the council on December 7, 2005. Costa Mesa will be

the first United States city to merge police and

immigration duties.

This measure raises concern amongs the Mexican and

Central American community. How will officers

distinguish between those who are legal and illegal?

Will all who come in contact with police be asked to

validate citizenship? people will be subject to racial

profiling, based on appearance and surname. The

measure will also erode relations between immigrants

and police, as immigrants will fear reporting crimes.

Furthermore, vigilantism may increase, as residents

may attack and harass Hispanics they believe to be

illegal.

Police officers are not border patrol agents! All are

invited to demand the repeal of the City Council's

decision and prevent racial profiling and unfair

attacks on immigrants in Costa Mesa.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 03, 2005

TIME/WHERE: Protest begins at 5PM at the Costa Mesa

City Council (77 Fair Drive)

Why: Then at 6pm protesters will take over the city

council to speak out against the proposal of Mayor

Allan Mansoor demanding 1) The re-opening of the day

Labor cite. 2). The withdrawl of the vote that will

give power to certain police officers to enforce

immigration law. 3) The recall of those city council

official who voted for the closing of the day labor

cite and the proposal that will give power to police

officers to enforce immigration laws.

Press contact: Coyotl Tezcalipoca,

matlazinka@hotmail.com

Phone 714 299-8817

Sources:

"Costa Mesa police will enforce immigration law."

Overley, Jeff.

Orange County Register. Dec. 7, 2005.