La Raza cancels, cites city official

A national Latino civil rights organization said it is pulling its 2009 convention from Kansas City because a member of a group opposed to illegal immigration was appointed to the city's parks board.

The National Council of La Raza said its board came to the decision unanimously after being unable to reach an agreement with Mayor Mark Funkhouser over his appointment in June of Frances B. Semler, a member of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps.

"Our decision is a clear expression of support for Kansas City's Hispanic community," said board Chairwoman Monica Lozano.

La Raza officials consider the Minutemen -- known for posting sometimes-armed patrols on the Mexican border and picketing construction sites where illegal immigrants may be working -- hostile to Latinos. The Arizona-based organization maintains it simply wants U.S. immigration policies enforced.