Posted on 09/17/2007 10:28:18 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. Dozens of anti-illegal immigration activists faced off against immigrant-rights backers at a rally outside a church where an illegal immigrant is being sheltered with her U.S.-born infant son.
One immigrant-rights advocate was injured with a chemical spray during Sunday's confrontation at the United Church of Christ, officials said.
Members of the anti-illegal immigration group Save Our State, which organized the rally that drew about 120 protesters and counter-protesters, said they had hoped to make a citizen's arrest of the woman, who has identified herself only as Liliana.
Liliana is living in the church's former parsonage as part of the New Sanctuary Movement, which arranges church accommodations for illegal immigrants nationwide.
Group members shouted for Liliana, who lived in Oxnard before taking shelter at the church, to give herself up.
"I'm here because I'm for the movement for the illegals to go home," protester Dee Barrow said.
Daniel Smallwood, one of the counter-protesters, accused the anti-illegal immigration activists of racism and said members of his group joined the rally because they didn't want their ideological opponents "to get all the attention."
Officials were investigating allegations that a hospitalized immigrant-rights activist had been sprayed in the face with a chemical agent by an opposing protester, police Capt. John McGinty said.
Maybe a freeper lawyer can answer this... What part of the legal code allows churches to provide “sanctuary” from arrest? It’s my (albeit limited) understanding that the whole sanctuary system was abolished in England in the 1600s.
You don’t have to be a lawyer to answer this, there is none.
They get away with it because it would ‘look bad’ for ICE to go in there and drag Liliana out by her coattails. Which is exactly what should happen. It would send a powerful message.
This ap shortie was sourced from this Ventura Star news piece.
Protesters target Simi church
Group sought citizen’s arrest of illegal immigrant inside
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/sep/17/protesters-target-simi-church/
Excerpt follows..
..
The Rev. June Goudey wouldn’t answer questions but said in a statement that the church would continue to provide shelter to Liliana, the Oxnard woman who won’t give her last name.
“What we have is a faith stronger than fear and a belief that doing justice is a high and holy calling,” Goudey said.
About 120 people came to the protest, many of them from outside Ventura County. United Church of Christ members seemed to be the only ones holding their tongues. Protesters calling for Liliana’s deportation carried signs with slogans like “Mothers Against Illegal Aliens” and “Don’t Attend this Law Breaker Church.”
They alternated between pleas for Liliana to give herself up, and loud, sometimes profane exchanges with counterprotesters.
“We’re frustrated Americans,” said Save Our State spokeswoman Chelene Nightingale, “and we represent all of the millions of Americans that were calling on Congress to stop amnesty. We’re here to let other Americans know that we’re here fighting for our nation and for our children.”
They wanted to do more than shout. Nightingale said Save Our State members wanted to make a citizen’s arrest but realized during the protest they weren’t going to get anywhere near Liliana.
..
“What we have is a faith stronger than fear and a belief that doing justice is a high and holy calling,” Goudey said.”
I bet they wouldn`t say that if they lost their tax exempt status.
Pray for and obey your leaders because God put them in place.
“Pray for and obey your leaders because God put them in place.”
Ummm, I think We put them in place. If it were God, I’d expect better representation.
Well...it didn't work for Thomas A Becket
Someone in a suit of armour wielding a broadsword should make the arrest.
They get away with it because it would ‘look bad’ for ICE to go in there and drag Liliana out by her coattails. Which is exactly what should happen. It would send a powerful message.
I agree, If Janet Reno, can Kill dozzens of Civillians
then ICE should Drag this Criminal out and send her Back where she came from.
Let the Pinkos and Commies howl to the Moon!
This woman is a felon and broke the laws of this country. Would it be any different if a bank robber was allowed to seek "sanctuary" in a church. You can bet the police would go after that felon without regard for where the bank robber was holed up.
It's time to cut the PC BS and hold the persons who are aiding and abetting her in evading the law accountable as accomplices to her criminal acts.
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