A war of words in Santa Ana

Anti-illegal immigration advocates exchanged verbal barbs and taunts with immigrants in downtown Santa Ana Tuesday. As hundreds of people rallied for immigration reform, about 75 counter-protesters showed up at the corner of Ross Street and Civic Center Drive with placards bearing such messages as "Santa Ana, California, United States of America," "Patriotism is not Racism" and "Support our Police and Border Patrol." Among the advocates was Chino Hills resident Cherie Wood who said: "We're against the invasion of our country. We need them to stop using our hospitals and our social system. We have our own poor people. We are just sick of paying" for them." The group was not warmly received in Santa Ana, where 75% of the population is Latino and an equal percentage speaks Spanish. About 53% of the city's population is foreign born. When the group marched to the Mexican consulate near a local elementary school, children behind the school gates chanted "Mexico, Mexico, Mexico" at them from the playground.

-Jennifer Delson in Santa Ana