Opponents of New CA Law Enabling Driver Licenses For Illegally-Entered Immigrants Voice Opposition At LB Office of Bill's Co-Author, State Senator Ricardo Lara

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Speakers Include A Man Who Testified Against Bill After His 23 Yr Old Son Was Killed By Illegally-Entered Immigrant Driving Without A License

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(Jan. 3, 2015, updated from Jan. 2 front page coverage) -- On January 2, 2015, the first business day CA residents who entered the U.S. contrary to federal immigration laws could apply for driver licenses under AB 60, opponents of the new law held a press event and voiced their views at the Long Beach (Bixby Knolls) office of the bill's co-author, State Senator Ricardo Lara (D, LB-Huntington Park).

LBREPORT.com provides extended VIDEO coverage below.

[For further, scroll down]

The group peacefully entered the office building in the 3900 block of Atlantic Ave. and were received by the Senator's district director, Nick Jiles (facing camera), who informed them that the Senator was unanavailable (not in the office that day.)

Don Rosenberg (back to camera) informed the district director that his son had been killed by a driver in the country illegally and driving without a license. Mr. Rosenberg, who had testified in Sacramento against the bill, presented the district director with a package of materials for the Senator, left him his card and asked that the Senator provide him with any evidence showing that licensing drivers will make them safer. For video of what transpired, click video video icon at right:

Mr. Rosenberg: ...Since Senator Lara was one of the authors of the bill, I'd like him to send me some evidence that shows licensing drivers will make them safer.
District Director Jiles (receives materials from Mr. Rosenberg): Well thank you for your information. If you guys would like to schedule a meeting, you can do so by contacting our Sacramento office, and Ricardo Lara looks forward to making sure that he provides opportunities to everybody in the 33rd [district] and represents all his constituents...
Mr. Rosenberg: Now he's presenting opportunities for more people to be killed.
District Director Jiles: That's your opinion. Thanks for stopping by guys.
Mr. Rosenberg: No it's not my opinion; it's a fact.

The district director, citing a staff meeting in progress, eventually showed the group the door. Most exited but when some didn't, the district director indicated he was preparing to call the police and the remainder of the group exited.

Outside the building, several speakers among the group denounced AB 60 (now the law, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.) Mr. Rosenberg (photo below) spoke at length, explaining what took place after his son Drew, a 23 yr-old law student, was killed by a person in the country illegally and driving in San Francisco without a license. He spoke alongside banners displaying photos of children and adults who event organizers list as killed by drivers in the country illegally. To hear Mr. Rosenberg's statements, click video below.

That afternoon, Senator Lara issued an emailed statement: "Today, California is taking a historic step forward in protecting our streets and expanding opportunity by making sure all drivers are licensed, tested and insured. Families can take their kids to school, drive to work and become more active in their communities as a result of AB60. It's a proud day for the Golden State."