Tempers rise in Bonsall

On Saturday morning, January 6, approximately a dozen day laborers protested “Minutemen supporters.” The laborers said they had assistance in sign-making from four representatives of the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation.

The laborers were decrying the bullying tactics of those who oppose their right to assemble. Their representative, Claudia Smith, said they have a commercial free speech right to assemble. No Minuteman members were present at the demonstration but four supporters are reportedly from the area.

Supporters of the migrant workers say it is not just Hispanics but other minority groups that are subjected to discrimination and bullying attitudes. They claim “most of these workers are documented and only seeking extra Saturday work.” One lady of Palestinian descent said a motorist told her to “go back to her sand dunes” and one black man was told to “go back to Africa.”

Some area residents pointed out the aggressive attitudes of the worker protesters as tempers and tensions continued to rise on both sides. The attitudes of protestors on both sides of the issue were viewed as hostile by many passersby.