Border battle flares in L.B.

LONG BEACH - Tensions over the immigration debate ran high in the summer heat on Saturday, as activists on both sides of the issue squared off at a protest in front of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

“It’s always been a quiet, community church,” said Sgt. Ernie Kohagura, who was one of a dozen Long Beach Police officers there to keep the peace. “But today it’s like ground zero.”

Members of Save Our State, an anti-illegal immigration group, and members of the Minuteman Project gathered outside St. Luke’s Saturday morning to protest the church’s decision to provide sanctuary for Liliana, a 29-year-old illegal immigrant, and her U.S.-born infant son.

Several groups, such as Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, came to support Liliana and the New Sanctuary Movement, which works to provide illegal immigrants with safe havens.

The number of protestors grew to well over 100 by early afternoon, with about 40 from Save Our State and Minutemen, and about 100 in support of New Sanctuary.

St. Luke’s Church has been providing sanctuary for Mexican native Liliana, whose last name has been withheld, and her son Pablo since June.

Although her husband, Gerardo, and three children are U.S. citizens, Liliana became ineligible for U.S. citizenship when she was caught trying to enter the U.S. almost a decade ago with a fake birth certificate.

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Border battle flares in L.B.
Long Beach Press-Telegram