Rights Activist Says Poway Youths Are Shooting at Migrant Workers

Migrant workers are being shot at and terrorized in Poway by groups of white youths, an immigrants’ rights activist alleged Wednesday. Roberto Martinez, who heads the San Diego office of the American Friends Service Committee, said that at least six workers have been shot in the back, legs and buttocks with paint pellets by youths in passing cars.

Bullets have also been fired at the workers, but none has been injured yet, Martinez said. Most of the attacks, which Martinez said are racially motivated, have occurred near Stone Canyon Road in east Poway. Although most of the workers have qualified for the amnesty program, many of them live in primitive outdoor camps hidden in the hills and canyons.

Martinez made the allegations during a press conference held on the steps of Poway City Hall. A letter has been sent to San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials requesting an investigation and protection for the migrants, he said.