By Bill Zeeble, KERA reporter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-557257.mp3
Farmers Branch, TX – Bill Zeeble, KERA 90.1 reporter: Before the vote, the Farmers Branch council heard from an overwhelming number of citizens - including Irene Wright - who praised the measure that penalizes landlords who rent apartments to non-U.S. citizens or those without proper documents.
Irene Wright, Farmers Branch Resident: I'm concerned about the rule of law and I think the city council must do everything to enforce rule of law. I want to ask you to support the ordinance.
Zeeble: Only 3 speakers opposed the ordinance, one explaining that those who signed the petition for a city-wide vote let that document speak for them. But after approving a May 12th vote on the ordinance forced by the petition, Carlos Quintanilla, shouted that Hispanic voices had been silenced by the council.
Carlos Quintanilla, Farmers Branch resident: Where's the voice of Hispanics in Farmbers Branch there's no justice here.
Quintanilla backs Hispanic businesses that plan to sue the city, perhaps later today.
Several organizations will also immediately attempt to legally stop Friday's implementation of the Farmers Branch renters ordinance. For KERA 90.1, I'm Bill Zeeble.
bzeeble@kera.org