Day laborers sue California city, claiming ban on seeking work on street violates civil rights

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Day laborers sued a Southern California city on Tuesday, claiming a ban on seeking work on the street violates their civil rights.

The lawsuit filed against Costa Mesa in U.S. District Court comes after police dressed in plainclothes posed as employers in September and arrested a dozen workers, sparking the ire of immigrant rights groups.

It's the latest in a series of lawsuits filed by day labor advocates against California cities that limit workers' right to solicit employment on street corners. Advocates said laborers have a constitutional right to free speech and cities can't bar them from seeking employment and simultaneously let activists wave signs against the Iraq war.