Costa Mesa : Peace Groups’ Planned Vigil Sparks Counter-Demonstration

A candlelight vigil planned by various peace groups for Feb. 12 at the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel has prompted a counter-demonstration by the American Independent Party.

“We’re going to go down there and counter-picket those characters,” said Fred Barber, a former state chairman of the party.

Barber was referring to members of the Orange County Alliance for Survival, the Los Angeles Catholic Worker and the Interfaith Peace Ministry, which are coordinating a protest to an annual military conference at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

Arturo Jacques, the party’s Orange County central committee chairman, who is coordinating the counter-demonstration, said he hoped he could rally about 50 pickets.

“We’re just making a point, letting people know the other side,” Jacques said.

Attracting all the attention is the Defense Department’s annual Winter Conference of Aerospace and Electronics Systems, known by the nickname WINCON. While the conference is held at the El Toro base, many of its participants stay at the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel. The coalition protesters have promised to keep their vigil nonviolent. Barber, too, said, “We can be as peaceful as they are.”