Santa Ana : Youth Rally Canceled in City-Promoter Dispute

A rally for Latino youths scheduled for today has been canceled after a series of squabbles between its promoter and city officials.

Officials say that festival promoter Armanda Valenzuela canceled the event, “Juventud Hispana Gracias” or “Hispanic Youth, Thank You,” Wednesday after an argument over the distribution of flyers in city schools and the payment of a $1,000 security deposit to pay for six police officers. The festival would have been held at Eddie West Field-Santa Ana Stadium from 6 to 9 p.m.

Although Valenzuela had failed to meet a Tuesday deadline for the security deposit, he was given a chance to pay the money in installments, but refused and canceled the event, City Manager David N. Ream said.

Valenzuela, however, says city officials, not he, canceled the event and that they have been trying to do that since he applied for a permit in August. City officials deny his claims.

“The city had done all it can to keep the festival alive,” Ream said.

Santa Ana had lowered the stadium rental from $3,000 to $800 for the festival and had waived cleaning and maintainance costs, said Rip Ribble, operations manager for the city’s recreation and community services.