Following Huntington Park, CA (or as critics deride,
Little TJ or Illegal Alien Park) decision to appoint two illegal aliens to two
city commissions, Southern California Public Radio commented: “As
Huntington Park goes, goes Southern California?”
Little TJ or Illegal Alien Park) decision to appoint two illegal aliens to two
city commissions, Southern California Public Radio commented: “As
Huntington Park goes, goes Southern California?”
One could argue “goes the United States?” The
troubling trends of this Southeast LA County suburb, 97% Latino with more than
half of the residents foreign-born (if not illegal), are not just the focal
point for demographic changes in California (or even the country), but the
meeting point over a larger federal fight: are we a nation of laws or men? Does
the rule of law matter anymore, and to what extent has municipal malfeasance
engendered state and even national political dysfunction? Will fights at the
local level restore the rule of law and limited governance once again?
troubling trends of this Southeast LA County suburb, 97% Latino with more than
half of the residents foreign-born (if not illegal), are not just the focal
point for demographic changes in California (or even the country), but the
meeting point over a larger federal fight: are we a nation of laws or men? Does
the rule of law matter anymore, and to what extent has municipal malfeasance
engendered state and even national political dysfunction? Will fights at the
local level restore the rule of law and limited governance once again?
Yesterday evening (Monday, August 17th),
I attended my first city council meeting outside of Torrance, CA. I have witnessed fireworks and confrontation
in the relatively calm and content “Balanced City”, but last night the crowd exploded
from the volatile mixture of supporters and vocal opponents to the appointment
of two illegal aliens to city commissions. Huntington Park, CA, which bills
itself as “The City of Perfect Balance” demonstrated how unbalanced local
government has become in Southern California, and its foray into federal
immigration policy is turning heads.
I attended my first city council meeting outside of Torrance, CA. I have witnessed fireworks and confrontation
in the relatively calm and content “Balanced City”, but last night the crowd exploded
from the volatile mixture of supporters and vocal opponents to the appointment
of two illegal aliens to city commissions. Huntington Park, CA, which bills
itself as “The City of Perfect Balance” demonstrated how unbalanced local
government has become in Southern California, and its foray into federal
immigration policy is turning heads.
Protesters had their signs up ready to take down the
city council: “Recall Pineda!” “Wake Up City Council!” “Appointment Legal
Citizens!”
city council: “Recall Pineda!” “Wake Up City Council!” “Appointment Legal
Citizens!”
We the People Rising, a diverse activist group
opposed to illegal immigration, showed up in full force, including members from
Upland and Apple Valley as well as former HP resident. Another group, America
First Latinos, propped up their signs: “Get Back in Line – Come in Legally!” and
“All Lives Matter”.
opposed to illegal immigration, showed up in full force, including members from
Upland and Apple Valley as well as former HP resident. Another group, America
First Latinos, propped up their signs: “Get Back in Line – Come in Legally!” and
“All Lives Matter”.
The council chambers had room for maybe one hundred,
but judging from the growing number of visitors, plus five Huntington Park, CA
police officers, only those who showed up early would have a chance.
but judging from the growing number of visitors, plus five Huntington Park, CA
police officers, only those who showed up early would have a chance.
The police officers read off the code of conduct,
reminding the audience to avoid catcalls, booing and cheering, or they would be
removed. Most of the audience gleefully ignored the directives, and the police
could do little about it.
reminding the audience to avoid catcalls, booing and cheering, or they would be
removed. Most of the audience gleefully ignored the directives, and the police
could do little about it.
One local activist, Alex Reynoso, explained to me
before the meeting began that he and a small group had been fighting hard
against the corrupt council members and mayor since their election earlier this
year. Aside from Councilmember Valentin Amezquita, the council approve the appointment
of two illegal aliens.
before the meeting began that he and a small group had been fighting hard
against the corrupt council members and mayor since their election earlier this
year. Aside from Councilmember Valentin Amezquita, the council approve the appointment
of two illegal aliens.
Reynosa explained t the council’s shenanigans to
discourage or prevent public commentary. For nearly thirty minutes, presenters
from different interest groups, including representatives from State Senator
Ricardo Lara’s office (the senator who pushed taxpayer funded health insurance
for illegal aliens). Finally, public comment ensued. Despite the numerous
request cards submitted, Mayor Karina Macias was clearly shuffling out the
negative ones and putting them aside.
discourage or prevent public commentary. For nearly thirty minutes, presenters
from different interest groups, including representatives from State Senator
Ricardo Lara’s office (the senator who pushed taxpayer funded health insurance
for illegal aliens). Finally, public comment ensued. Despite the numerous
request cards submitted, Mayor Karina Macias was clearly shuffling out the
negative ones and putting them aside.
A few residents, some who announced themselves as
undocumented, praised the council’s decision. Their speeches gave off an
affected ring, as though someone else had written their statements. A few other
supporters, some from HP as well as elsewhere, called Jhonny Pineda, the main
instigator in this conflict, brave and bold for his decision.
undocumented, praised the council’s decision. Their speeches gave off an
affected ring, as though someone else had written their statements. A few other
supporters, some from HP as well as elsewhere, called Jhonny Pineda, the main
instigator in this conflict, brave and bold for his decision.
Before I spoke, Councilmember Amezquita addressed
the whole council. Calm yet determined, he reminded the council that he voted
against the appointments because of the negative press that would follow (Boy,
did it!). During a short recess, Amezquita told me that he supported much of
Donald Trump’s immigration plans. Later in the evening, a protester shouted at
the council: “God bless Donald Trump. And You’re Fired!”’
![]("http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fhCkBUCNHLY/VdTIfhGIVpI/AAAAAAAABhs/Fcb_8e49YKY/s400/Arthur%2BCities%2Bfor%2BCitizens.jpg")
the whole council. Calm yet determined, he reminded the council that he voted
against the appointments because of the negative press that would follow (Boy,
did it!). During a short recess, Amezquita told me that he supported much of
Donald Trump’s immigration plans. Later in the evening, a protester shouted at
the council: “God bless Donald Trump. And You’re Fired!”’
![]("http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fhCkBUCNHLY/VdTIfhGIVpI/AAAAAAAABhs/Fcb_8e49YKY/s1600/Arthur%2BCities%2Bfor%2BCitizens.jpg")
I addressed the council about their egregious insult
to all legal residents, including their “piecemeal, de facto amnesty” (read
my full comments here). Shirley Husar, the leader of Urban Game Changers
California, excoriated the council for putting aside the needs of legal residents
who need jobs, and instead promoted two illegals to city posts. Several members
of We the People Rising condemned the city for ignoring the many unemployed and
capable legal residents in the city. One woman read a litany of federal and
state laws which the council had violated. Raul Rodriguez of “America First
Latinos” gave the city council resignation papers and “You’re Fired!” slips.
to all legal residents, including their “piecemeal, de facto amnesty” (read
my full comments here). Shirley Husar, the leader of Urban Game Changers
California, excoriated the council for putting aside the needs of legal residents
who need jobs, and instead promoted two illegals to city posts. Several members
of We the People Rising condemned the city for ignoring the many unemployed and
capable legal residents in the city. One woman read a litany of federal and
state laws which the council had violated. Raul Rodriguez of “America First
Latinos” gave the city council resignation papers and “You’re Fired!” slips.
Legal immigrants in the city blasted the council for
enabling illegal immigration. Francisco Rivera, an immigrant who has lived in
Huntington Park for thirty years, denounced the council appointments. Nick Ioannidis,
a Greek immigrant and forty-five year resident, recounted the routine harassment
he has endured from illegal aliens openly residing in the city. Before he spoke
to the council, he had shared with me the destruction done to his property as
well as the threats and taunting: “This is Mexico! Get out of here!” one of
them had told him. Now immigrants are getting attacked? Sandra Orozo, a
southeast political activist, shamed them for making her wait (she was one of
the first attendees to submit a card), then told about her parents (who came
legally) and how they fought for this country. Then she told the audience that the
city attorney is under investigation, too.
enabling illegal immigration. Francisco Rivera, an immigrant who has lived in
Huntington Park for thirty years, denounced the council appointments. Nick Ioannidis,
a Greek immigrant and forty-five year resident, recounted the routine harassment
he has endured from illegal aliens openly residing in the city. Before he spoke
to the council, he had shared with me the destruction done to his property as
well as the threats and taunting: “This is Mexico! Get out of here!” one of
them had told him. Now immigrants are getting attacked? Sandra Orozo, a
southeast political activist, shamed them for making her wait (she was one of
the first attendees to submit a card), then told about her parents (who came
legally) and how they fought for this country. Then she told the audience that the
city attorney is under investigation, too.
More raucous commentary exposed festering problems in
Huntington Park. One resident complained that he was paying $2,000 more in
property taxes than residents in Walnut Park, CA. Why? Another resident,
Reynoso, explained: the city faces a $350 million pension liability, and yet
the councilmembers are taking in mucho
dinero for their own pensions. The city has hired two city managers. Why?
Huntington Park. One resident complained that he was paying $2,000 more in
property taxes than residents in Walnut Park, CA. Why? Another resident,
Reynoso, explained: the city faces a $350 million pension liability, and yet
the councilmembers are taking in mucho
dinero for their own pensions. The city has hired two city managers. Why?
Linda Caraballo rolled out allegations against the councilmembers,
including statements (and she provided me the evidence) that Mayor Macias does
not live in Huntington Park, but Walnut Park: “I drove you home. I know where
you live”, she chastised. Then she outlined the pay-for-play “political
nepotism” eating up the council’s diminished integrity.
including statements (and she provided me the evidence) that Mayor Macias does
not live in Huntington Park, but Walnut Park: “I drove you home. I know where
you live”, she chastised. Then she outlined the pay-for-play “political
nepotism” eating up the council’s diminished integrity.
Financial mismanagement, voter fraud, corrupt city
council officials, investigations into city officials, and now pandering to
illegal aliens: Huntington Park turning into Bell Part Two. This cannot be the future
of Southern California or the country.
council officials, investigations into city officials, and now pandering to
illegal aliens: Huntington Park turning into Bell Part Two. This cannot be the future
of Southern California or the country.