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 Murrieta Mayor Alan Long, who gained national attention in the
summer when he led a local backlash against a plan to process
illegal Central American immigrants in the town, said he stepped
down both as Mayor and as a city council member.
"I do not believe under the circumstances it is appropriate for me
to remain in these positions," Long said in a statement sent by his
attorney Virginia Blumenthal.
"I fear that would only distract from the very important discussions
we must all have on the future of our city," he added.
Long, 44, was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of causing injury
while driving under the influence after his truck crashed into a car
carrying four Murrieta Valley High School students, Murrieta police
said in a statement. He was still at the scene of the crash when
police arrived.
Long was released from jail early last Friday on $50,000 bond,
according to the detention center's website. He is scheduled to
appear in court on Dec. 11.
The Riverside Press-Enterprise reported that the car rear-ended by
the mayor's vehicle contained four cheerleaders. The police said all
four suffered "moderate to major injuries."
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Long gained national attention in June and July when he led a public
outcry over U.S. plans for hundreds of Central American children and
adults caught illegally crossing from Mexico into Texas to be
transferred to a U.S. Border Patrol office in Murrieta, 60 miles (97
km) north of San Diego, for processing.
Long will remain on the ballot for the upcoming City Council
elections in November he said, saying he expects to be fully
exonerated.
(Reporting by Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Editing by Richard
Pullin)
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