Protesters decry illegal immigration

PALMDALE - More than 50 people carrying American flags and signs that read “Stop illegal immigration” demonstrated Saturday at an intersection where a young Palmdale man was fatally injured in a crash blamed on an unlicensed, uninsured undocumented immigrant who tried to walk away after the collision.

The protesters said local government officials should do more to deter illegal immigration, including turning over to federal authorities undocumented immigrants who have been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and similar crimes rather than releasing them to await trial.

“If they release drunk illegal-alien drivers after they sober up, they’re setting us up for more deaths of American citizens,” said Frank Jorge, founder of the Antelope Valley Independent Minutemen, which organized Saturday’s demonstration.

With songs such as Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” and the Eagles’ “Lying Eyes” playing on loudspeakers, the demonstrators stood along 10th Street West at Avenue O, beside a memorial cross and candles for 20-year-old Tyler Lundin of Palmdale. Passing motorists honked and waved.

“It’s been overwhelmingly positive,” Jorge said of the response from passers-by. “I don’t think I’ve seen anybody give us a thumbs-down or a middle finger.”

Lundin died four days after an Oct.22 crash in which his pickup truck collided with a compact car that turned left in front of it. The car’s two occupants tried to walk away after the crash, but they were caught and detained by several people who witnessed the crash, sheriff’s deputies said.

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Protesters decry illegal immigration
Los Angeles Daily News