COUNTYWIDE : Church Workshop to Discuss Prop. 187

A lawyer and a Franciscan friar will head a special workshop Saturday to discuss the rights of immigrants and the impact that a controversial state initiative will have on those rights.

The workshop, entitled “Immigrants Rights: Steps in Confronting Racism,” will run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church in Huntington Beach. The event is sponsored by the regional office of the Franciscan Friars Social Concerns Committee.

Friar Ed Dunn and lawyer Raoul Aroz will discuss the initiative, Proposition 187, and lead a public discussion of the measure. Spanish translation will be available.

Event spokeswoman Patricia McCabe points out that Cardinal Roger M. Mahony and other religious leaders oppose the so-called “Save Our State” initiative. The November ballot measure would bar illegal immigrants from attending public schools and from receiving social services and non-emergency public health care.

“From a moral standpoint, it’s a bad piece of legislation,” McCabe said.

Critics say that if the initiative passes, protracted legal battles would result from conflicts with existing laws. In addition, the measure could put at risk as much as $15 billion in federal funds now provided to California for health, education and welfare programs, according to the state’s nonpartisan legislative analyst’s office.

Supporters of the proposition, including the California Republican Party, contend that the legislation is necessary because illegal immigrants are creating severely negative fiscal and social impacts in the state.

The workshop will be held at the church’s Adult Center, 20444 Magnolia St. There will be a potluck lunch and a freewill offering.

For reservations or more information, call (714) 962-3333 or (714) 960-6237.