We must respect laws

Peaceful protests or riots, local police or National Guard, Marines … working immigrants or illegal criminals … it all comes down to this: we are a nation of laws.

The problems we witness in LA began with open borders. The problems we witness were inflamed when sanctuary cities refused to cooperate with federal law enforcement, ICE. The problems we witness are inflamed when governors’ and mayors’ rhetoric are perceived as a call to action. When governors and mayors are perceived not backing law enforcement, riotous behavior is empowered. Local leaders need to revisit the reason they are in office — to protect our citizens by enforcing the law.

A sanctuary city is a municipality that limits or denies its cooperation with the national government in enforcing immigration law. In a confrontation, sanctuary city politicians (and governors) must eventually decide whether to cooperate with federal law enforcement officers or riotous behavior masked as peaceful protest.

It’s their city, their decision and they own the result.

It’s not rocket science.

Richard J. McEwen

Ingleside