KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Valley Residents Protest, Support Arizona Law

Valley Residents Protest, Support Arizona Law

By Norma Yuriar

Madera, Calif.  (KMPH News) — Two central valley groups hold rallies in support of and against Arizona's new immigration law.

"It affects Arizona, it's going to affect us sooner or later over here in California and my family," Luceli Lita said.

A prayer kicks off a 48–hour candle–light vigil outside Madera County Courthouse Park Wednesday night.

"We are starting today because we know that the law will be going into affect tomorrow.  We will be here all day tomorrow and stop on Friday, we want to be here before it takes affect and after," Juan Santiago said.

Santiago is the group advisor for Central Valley Youth Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration.  The group is against SB 1070. Protesters held candles and signs that read, "No Human Being is Illegal" and "Family Unity".

"Here in Madera it's not too much of a sacrifice one or two hours in the sun, and sending a message that we are standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Arizona," Santiago said.

The vigil comes on the same day a federal judge blocks controversial sections of the law from going into effect at 12:01a.m., including sections that required officers to check a person's immigration status while enforcing other laws.

The judge also blocked a section that made it illegal for undocumented workers to solicit employment in public places.  And another that required immigrants to carry their papers at all times.

"It's not about race it's about obeying the law," Steve Brandau with Central Valley Tea Party said.

The Central Valley Tea Party is taking that message to the streets of Fresno, Prather and Oakhurst Thursday.  They are planning a rally in support of Arizona's law.

"California should pay attention to what's happening in Arizona," Brandau said.  "We don't have a budget in the state of California, part of the problem is we've got a lot of people in here illegally who are taking advantage of all sorts of programs that are being paid for by the tax payers who now have no more money."

Back in Madera, candles continue to burn into the early morning hours as a small crowd circles the park to show their dissatisfaction with the controversial law.

"Yes, they are here illegal, but people need to understand that people come to this county as our great founding fathers came to this country looking for freedom of religion," Santiago said.  "We came to this country looking for opportunity because we came from the poor countries.  I think that's the American spirit, opportunity and liberty and justice for all."