Protesters criticize Obama near Hoag

A handful of people waved American flags and held signs protesting health-care reform and illegal immigration outside Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian on Wednesday morning at a demonstration organized by the Minuteman Project.

“If there weren’t 30 million illegal aliens in this country, you would find no need for health-care reform,” said Raymond Herrera, a spokesman for the Minuteman Project National Rally project.

Holding a large American flag and a sign that read “Bless the USA,” Herrera was one of about four protesters who gathered at Newport Boulevard and Hospital Road on Wednesday morning. A few drivers passing honked their horns in response to signs that read “Stop Obama” and “Stop illegal immigrants.”

The protesters plan to travel to hospitals around the region to raise awareness about the burden they claim illegal immigrants put on the United States’ health-care system.

“I just think it’s a good thing to show support for something we believe in,” said Costa Mesa resident Phil Morello, who joined the protest, waving an American flag fastened to a rusted metal pole.

— Brianna Bailey