Santa Barbara, the Home of the Protest
by Bonnie Donovan
We have protests all the time here in Santa Barbara and 99.9% of the time they are peaceful. We have had agitators come in to cause problems but that’s not the norm.
What we see in the bigger cities it’s different. When you take over the freeways and streets that interrupt others' lives, that isn’t peaceful.
When you bring in bricks, masks, plastic face shields, hammers etc. That isn’t to be a peaceful protestor.
When you bring in tools to break up the curbs to throw at officers, that is not peaceful.
It starts where they are throwing rocks, bricks and broken cinder blocks at officers. When the cinder blocks were removed they started breaking up the curbs.
Now think about that. We usually only see that on the news in other countries.
Did you see the pictures of the 101 freeway covered in debris?
Mayor Bass, Maxine Waters standing there saying there isn’t any damage… Finally a Los Angeles council member came to the podium and said she asked for a curfew, so finally a curfew went into effect on Tuesday.
When they loot, graffiti, damage property that isn’t peaceful and the damage started on Friday.
The ICE Agents are doing their job. Did you see the pictures and the list of crimes the arrested did, that were picked up on Friday?
So to my point.
To everyone saying Trump caused this by bringing in the National Guard…
Then can you explain why after a sports championship wins, the same thugs burn down their towns, damage and destroy property and Loot.
Who paid for the cases of shields, masks and printed signs?
Where are the environmentalists?
ICE called for Police/Sheriff backup and they didn’t come read up on how in California they won’t come under direction from the State because we are a Sanctuary State.
What happened to all elected officials upholding the Oath they took?
I simply sent an email on Monday morning.
On Monday morning I sent an email to our top three in the City of Santa Barbara after watching the destruction over the weekend in Los Angeles.
What is the chain of events "IF", ICE enforced the law here in SB?
My question was as follows:
Previously at the city council, I remember statements letting the public know that our Police will not, aren't allowed, or told not to work with ICE.
Is this because Santa Barbara is a Sanctuary City?
Is this still your direction?
From our City Administrator
Hi Bonnie-
The Chief is working on a response. I did want to say that the City of Santa Barbara has not adopted a sanctuary city resolution. However, California is a sanctuary state which creates some nuances for police response, which the Chief can speak to.
From our Chief
Sent out as a Media Release
As your Chief of Police, I want to speak directly to you about two important matters that affect the fabric of our community: immigration enforcement and the right to peacefully protest.
First and foremost, I want to be very clear our police department is here to serve and protect all members of our community, regardless of immigration status. In accordance with California law and our department’s long-standing policy, we do not participate in federal immigration enforcement activities. Under California’s SB 54 (the California Values Act), local law enforcement agencies are prohibited from participating in immigration enforcement except in limited specific circumstances. SBPD does not ask about, collect or keep information about the immigration status of anyone we serve. Our focus is on community safety, building trust, and ensuring that victims and witnesses of crime feel safe coming forward without fear of deportation or discrimination.
We also recognize and affirm that the right to peacefully protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. Whether people gather to speak out on immigration issues, racial justice, economic inequality, or any other cause, our officers are committed to safeguarding the public’s right to assemble and express views freely and peacefully. We’re sworn to protect safety and uphold constitutional rights.
That said, we ask that all demonstrations remain nonviolent and respectful of others. When individuals engage in acts that threaten public safety, damage property, or harm others, our department will act swiftly and decisively to separate agitators from lawful demonstrators to protect both public safety and the integrity of the protest itself. Our goal is always to de-escalate tensions, facilitate dialogue, and support safe, lawful expression.
As a police department where racial and ethnic minorities make up the majority of our personnel, we are proud of our diverse community and we are committed to serving every resident and visitor with dignity, fairness, and compassion. If you have questions, concerns, or would like to speak with a member of our team, I invite you to reach out to us directly.
Then I asked : This morning SB personnel (and our bobcat) were sent down to help out.
Tell me was that response to Newsom or Trump.... The following was the answer.
A mutual aid request has been made of numerous law enforcement agencies in Santa Barbara County as well as all surrounding counties to assist with civil unrest in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department who is the mutual aid coordinator for Los Angeles County. We are not sending officers at this time but if the unrest continues into next week it is likely we will send officers to assist at that time. The Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department has already sent deputies to assist.
Who is LA Scanner?
Sooo safe… Maybe Maxine Watters, Mayor Bass and Newsom should read everything out there. Like everyone else is.
To try to let you know how it works
Look at what it is costing us to build our new police station here in Santa Barbara, over $120,000,000.00. That is one hundred twenty million dollars.
Trump called in the National Guard to protect OUR Federal Buildings and Personnel in Los Angeles after a call went out for help. Our ICE Officers were under attack when protesters breached the building they were in, per news reports. The reports also said their first call was to the LA Sheriffs or Police and it was Rejected, and I would assume this is due to California being a Sanctuary State.
Back to the cost of the police station.
Trump said he called Governor Newsom, Newsom claims he didn’t.
Trump calls in the National Guard and United States Marine Corp on the ready. The cost, 1.2 Million dollars. Now I call that a savings for us. If the rioters were able to get into any of our federal buildings, what do you think it would cost to rebuild if they were able to get in and destroy them? LA blocks are a lot bigger than Santa Barbara blocks. Our new Police Station is nowhere the size of Los Angeles Federal Buildings.
The destruction down there is still going to cost to fix, that is on the State of California.
People are asking who is funding the rioters/agitators? Where is the money coming from?
The Los Angeles news has brought up the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA).
While researching this group one amount of $35,226,566.00 dollars was given to this group alone.
“Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA): $35,226,566
CHIRLA has been identified on X by California-based attorney Laura Powell as an organization that is particularly involved in the LA riots and “resistance” to federal immigration law enforcement. Powell noted CHIRLA’s strong relationship with California and L.A. government leadership, including Mayor Karen Bass; and she outlined how the nonprofit leads a coalition hotline where members of the public can send in tips on the location of ICE agents and a rapid response network deploys activists.”
Another group Immigration Legal Resource Center (ILRC) was given $29,869,668.00
Maybe this is where the money is coming from to fund the organizing and delivery of cases of face shields, masks, bricks, tools, slogans and printed signs.
All you have to do is look at the same chants and signs being used in multiple areas.
This weekend along with many cities and states the same evidence will be out there.
Just watch the anti Trump protest happening.
And the disrespect towards the 250th Birthday of the United States Army. Later this year the United States Marine Corps will be celebrating their 250th birthday, wonder what the protesters will call that?
In other countries it took one thousand years for this to happen.
Could this be because they didn’t have an open border like the United States had for the past four years?
Sunday is also Father’s Day, hopefully you will show respect to all Fathers who protected your right to protest. Who protected our Country and our Flag!
Happy 250th Birthday to the United States Army
The short list of the Friday ICE arrest in LA
Cuong Chanh Phan
ICE arrested Cuong Chanh Phan, a 49-year-old illegal alien from Vietnam. His criminal history includes a conviction for second degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life.
Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez
ICE arrested Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez, a 55-year-old illegal alien from the Philippines. His criminal history includes burglary in Ontario, CA with a sentence of four years in prison, sexual penetration with a foreign object with force and assault with intent to commit rape in Pomona, CA with a sentence of 37 years in prison.
Lionel Sanchez-Laguna
ICE Los Angeles Lionel Sanchez-Laguna, a 55-year-old illegal alien from Mexico. Sanchez-Laguna’s criminal history includes discharging a firearm at an inhabited dwelling and vehicle in Orange, CA with a sentence of 365 days in jail, battery on spouse or cohabitant in Orange, CA with a sentence of four years of probation, willful cruelty to child in Orange, CA with a sentence of four years of probation, driving under the influence in Orange, CA with a sentence of ten days in jail, assault with semi-automatic firearm in Orange, CA with a sentence of three years in prison, and personal use of a firearm in Orange, CA with a sentence of three years in prison.
Armando Ordaz
ICE arrested Armando Ordaz, a 44-year-old illegal alien from Mexico. Ordaz’s criminal history includes sexual battery in Los Angeles, CA with a sentence of 135 days of jail and five years of probation, receiving known or stolen property in Norwalk, CA with a sentence of 90 days in jail and three years of probation, and petty theft in Los Angeles, CA with a sentence of 365 days in jail and four years of probation.
Francisco Sanchez-Arguello
ICE arrested Francisco Sanchez-Arguello, a 38-year-old illegal alien from Mexico. Sanchez-Arguello's criminal history that includes arrests for grand theft larceny and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Jose Gregorio Medranda Ortiz
ICE arrested Jose Gregorio Medranda Ortiz, a 42-year-old illegal alien from Ecuador. Medranda Ortiz’s criminal history includes conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more cocaine while on board a vessel in Tampa, FL with a sentence of 135 months in prison.
Victor Mendoza-Aguilar
ICE arrested Victor Mendoza-Aguilar, a 32-year-old illegal alien from Mexico. His criminal history includes a conviction for possessing unlawful paraphernalia in Pasadena, CA with a sentence of 112 days jail, possessing controlled substances in Pasadena, CA with a sentence of 16 months in jail, assault with a deadly weapon: not firearm in Pasadena, CA with a sentence of four years in prison; obstructing a public officer in Pasadena, CA with a sentence of 364 days in jail.
Delfino Aguilar-Martinez
ICE arrested Delfino Aguilar-Martinez, a 51-year-old illegal alien from Mexico. Aguilar-Martinez's criminal history includes assault with a deadly weapon with great bodily injury in Los Angeles, CA with a sentence of 365 days in jail.
Jose Cristobal Hernandez-Buitron
ICE arrested Jose Cristobal Hernandez-Buitron, 43-year-old illegal alien from Peru. Hernandez-Buitron's criminal history that includes a conviction for robbery that resulted in a 10-year sentence.
Jordan Mauricio Meza-Esquibel
ICE arrested Jordan Mauricio Meza-Esquibel, 32-year-old illegal alien from Honduras. Meza-Esquibel's criminal history that includes arrests for distribution of heroin and cocaine and domestic violence.
Jesus Alan Hernandez-Morales
ICE arrested Jesus Alan Hernandez-Morales, a 26-year-old illegal alien from Mexico. His criminal history includes conspiracy to transport an illegal alien in Las Cruces, NM with a sentence of 239 days in jail.
Did you hear Salud Carbajal's rant?
Bonnie, you should write an article about this shitty Congress person berating a fellow service member. The link is here.
- Veteran of the United States Air Force
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Carbajal, the marine reserve who touts his training.
He attended UCSB while a marine reserve. Never saw any action.
Oh and he was brought here illegally as a child.
Now he defends illegals and the $30 Billion of CA public money that subsidizes the illegals choice to break our laws.
Salud is not loyal to America.
Brava, Bonnie! The Democratic Party now stands for nothing but hatred, destruction of democracy and power for themselves. They would happily see America burn to the ground. The Democrats are evil. And the Republicans? They are hopeless. I left the Democratic Party, but I can't be a Republican. They won't even stand up for Trump, let alone the rest of us. But I believe that those of us who agree with you, Bonnie, are the majority. And it's way past the time when we should remain silent. Thank you for speaking up the way you did. You brought me to tears with this post. And I'm giving you a great, big victory hug in advance. We will win back this state and this country.