Hope For Anna Drive in Anaheim?

I haven't made a secret of my opinions on current events in Anaheim. I did see something I like from residents of Anna Drive, however. They told outside agitators By Any Means Necessary to stop hijacking their issue. Greg Hardesty and Eric Carpenter reported on this at the Orange County Register. If the people of Anna Drive have enough sense integrity to rebuff BAMN, maybe they can and will help kick out the gangs.

A planned march organized by a Los Angeles-based group from the Anna Drive neighborhood where a man was shot and killed by police July 21 fizzled Wednesday evening, with about 12 participants instead exchanging words with some residents who didn't want them there.

With TV cameras rolling and no police presence apparent, the group from BAMN, which advocates for social issues such as immigrant rights, started gathering about 5 p.m. near the spot where Manuel Diaz, 25, was shot after fleeing from officers, touching off days of civil unrest.

BAMN's lead organizer, Adam Lerman, 42, led his sign-carrying group off Anna Drive shortly before 7 p.m. after some locals said the neighborhood wants peace and quiet and that BAMN's presence was not welcome.

If they encourage illegal aliens, then they actually trample on the rights of immigrants, who should never be confused with illegal aliens.

"What are they doing here?" resident Yesenia Rojas said. "They don't even live here."

Good for her.

Community advocate Gloria Alvarado did not want BAMN members to interfere with a 7 p.m. prayer and rosary for Diaz.

Good for her.

Following a Latino and Catholic tradition, rosaries are being held for him for nine consecutive days that began Sunday.

And Diaz, from what should be clear from his behavior and statements about himself, was clearly a devout Catholic. </sarcasm>

Lerman told Alvarado, Rojas and other residents that his group wants to continue putting pressure on city leaders to get to the bottom of the shooting, which is being investigated by local and federal agencies.

Lerman wants attention more than anything. The investigations are going to take their course whether or not anyone else whines at this point.