A group of activists who allege they were politically targeted and barred from entering a public meeting about passing legislation which would provide benefits for illegal immigrants, have filed complaints with the state’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing against Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and members of California’s High Patrol.
Four activists from We the People Rising are accusing Sen. Lara (D-Bell Gardens) of violating California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits certain kinds of discrimination, according to the Los Angeles Times. The group is opposed to legislation that would provide driver’s licenses and access to health insurance for illegal or undocumented immigrants in California.
The group was only allowed into the final 15 minutes of the meeting, which took place on March 27, and only after members of the California Highway Patrol showed up. According to the Times, group member Raul Rodriguez, Jr. and others allege that Sen. Lara denied them access based solely on their political affiliation.
Complaints were also filed against the CHP because they kept the activists from entering the meeting.
Sen. Lara’s office provided Breitbart News with a statement via email in response to the incident:
I am familiar with this group. They have met on several occasions with my staff in Sacramento and in Long Beach to express their views on legislative matters and have protested many of my constituent events in my district. Without having reviewed this alleged complaint, I cannot comment on this matter further and direct all additional inquiries to Senate Legislative Counsel.
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