Church to be billed for immigrant rally

[deadparrot]

Source: Associated Press

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. - A church that is sheltering an illegal immigrant from Mexico and her U.S.-born infant son will be billed nearly $40,000 for the city police presence during a weekend protest, officials said.

Mayor Paul Miller, who called United Church of Christ congregants irresponsible for "harboring an illegal immigrant," told the City Council Monday that he was ready to issue the $39,306 invoice right away.

The church's decision to shelter the woman provoked the Sunday protest, which required a police presence, officials said.

"This City Council has the obligation to protect all citizens in the community against any potential violence as a result of these ill-conceived actions," Miller said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070919/ap_on_re_us/sanctuary_protest