by Jammer CC
Sunday, Dec. 25, 2005 at 5:43 AM
Members of A.N.S.W.E.R., Colectivo Tonantzin, S.E.I.U., Anarchists, and more protested and marched in Costa Mesa.
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Protesters gathered on December 23rd, 2005 at a corner of the Bristol/Sunflower intersection at 3pm to conduct a march to the Costa Mesa Police Department. Members of various groups and other individuals were there to protest the City Council's decision to train city police to enforce immigration law. There are concerns about possible racial profiling, effects on relations among people, and other issues. There was dissent expressed towards city mayor Allan Mansoor and the vote to close a day-labor center in Costa Mesa.
Among the groups involved in the protest/march were A.N.S.W.E.R., Colectivo Tonantzin, S.E.I.U.(Service Employees International Union), music band Error Collective, some Anarchists, and other individuals. Some children and family members were also in the march and protest, giving representation to people in general who may be affected by this issue. Some reporters and photographers also walked with the march to the police station. When the march started at around 4pm, there were approximately 50 people in the march. Upon arrival at the Costa Mesa police department, estimations went up to about 100.
An couple of people from NBC were present for the gathering before the march. A reporter for the Register was also on hand. Other reporters and video cameras were in action at the police department after the march. During the march itself, a man from channel 62, a Spanish network, observed but didn’t have a news crew with him.
An Anarchist, who’s identity will remain private, was there to show support and confirmed that being an Anarchist isn’t necessarily being anti-American. He stated that he likes his country and wants it to be better.
A couple of children used markers to make some signs. One of them read “Aztlan.” The father explained some historical significance of the Aztlan idea from his point of view and acknowledged it to be mythical. He didn’t speak about any type of “reconquista” takeover or actually turning any part of the U.S. officially in to Aztlan. He did recommend visiting New Mexico, which he says the center of what he spoke of.
As the daylight slowly faded, the march continued on until finally reaching its destination, the Costa Mesa Police Department. Some members of the police department observed. As the participants walked through the parking lot and onto the grass area where they gathered, an unidentified person sitting in the bed of a truck chanted “USA!” holding a small American flag. A member of SOS(Save Our State) who called for a counter-protest was also there taking pictures of the protest. When the protest concluded, a truck drove by(not the same truck in the parking lot with the counter protester) with a passenger who displayed a sign that read, “Go back to Mexico.”
The participants all gathered to hear some speakers and chant slogans such as “the people, united, will never be defeated!” Some participants had guitar-like musical instruments. When the protest concluded, some more negativity towards the protest briefly made an apperance. A truck drove by(not the same truck in the parking lot with the counter protester) with a passenger who displayed a sign that read, “Go back to Mexico.” It is not known at this time if someone got a photograph of that occurrence.