Tempers Flare at Protest Over Migrants

The issue of migrant workers and curbside hiring flared again in Encinitas as 80 protesters and counterdemonstrators gathered Thursday night at a supermarket and park.

A group calling itself Light Up Encinitas called for more control of undocumented workers crossing the border and greater federal involvement in resolving border problems. An ad hoc group protested the demonstration, saying it was an infringement of free-speech rights. A larger group, called Light Up the Border, has staged similar demonstrations at the U.S.-Mexico border in recent months.

Thursday night’s event featured speeches, songs, hand-holding and the lighting of car headlights in a symbolic gesture of illuminating the issue.

The two sides confronted each other briefly, with one counter-protester trying to grab a large banner carried by two members of Light Up the Border. A shoving match reportedly occurred between other participants.

No injuries were reported. About 40 demonstrators and counter-protesters attended. The demonstration began about 6:45 p.m. in the Big Bear supermarket parking lot along Encinitas Boulevard, a popular site for curbside hiring of migrant workers. The hills behind the supermarket used to be a campsite for migrant workers until the city stepped up patrols.

The counter-protesters, including social service workers, migrant advocates and migrants, conducted a prayer service, sang, held hands and made speeches in opposition to the Light Up Encinitas demonstration.

After a short time, the demonstrators drove to Oak Crest Park about 2 miles away, parked in the parking lot, held up banners and spoke about border issues. About 15 counter-protesters followed and sang more patriotic songs and held hands in solidarity.

At 8 p.m., members of the Light Up Encinitas group illuminated their vehicle headlights. An unidentified woman bolted forward and grabbed a large Light Up the Border banner, but the banner holders pulled away and kept their sign.

The two sides confronted each other with verbal barbs and derogatory statements.

Curbside hiring of migrant workers has been an increasingly contentious issue in Encinitas. The City Council in July voted to repeal its curbside hiring ban, two days before a hearing in U.S. District Court to consider a suit filed against the city over the ban.

A federal judge had issued a temporary restraining order against enforcement of the ban, saying the ordinance was a violation of the First Amendment and the California Constitution’s “liberty-of-speech clause.”

Migrant advocates said the ban infringed on both migrant and employer rights to free speech.