FOLLOW-UP REPORT ON THE MATRICULA CONSULAR EVENT (See # 114)
March 31, 2007--9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.--At the Matricula Consular event at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, 2850 Fairview Rd. today, the CM PRESS observed just a few people entering and leaving the church. Most were carrying various papers in their hands. We also observed several Hispanics carrying papers walking from the Fillmore slum and from the Mission-Mendoza slum toward the church.
Because the CM PRESS's observations were sporadic, we don't have solid numbers to report. However, during our drive-bys of the church and the neighborhood, we personally saw about 15 people walking toward or entering the church.
On the sidewalk in front of the church, but pushed to the south side of the property line where it abuts the Farm Sports Complex, were approximately 20 to 30 well-mannered, anti-illegal immigration protestors with large American flags and various signs against illegal immigration. Our assumption is that the CMPD asked them to congregate in that area.
There were four or five CMPD marked police cars on site and perhaps 10 or so police officers.
Many drivers passing the location honked their horns or gave thumbs up signals to the anti-illegal immigration protestors.
We didn't observe any violence or any physical confrontations, and a CMPD representative told us this evening that he didn't hear of any arrests.
One citizen wondered what the citizens of Costa Mesa had to pay the CMPD to be at this event at the church.
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