By: TOM PFINGSTEN - Staff Writer

RANCHO PENASQUITOS ---- A protest by several anti-illegal immigration groups Saturday afternoon on the edge of a canyon where migrant workers have camped for years was peaceful, but tense, as nearly 200 flag-toting demonstrators chanted, sang patriotic songs, and were confronted by a handful of human rights observers.

Publicized this week on a local talk-radio show, the event was originally planned as a tour of McGonigle Canyon, where immigrants had apparently taken up residence adjacent to an upscale neighborhood in Rancho Penasquitos.

Saturday's restless crowd of protesters was confined to a small piece of county-owned land next to the canyon. The property owner, developer D.R. Horton, refused to allow access, said officials had taken steps to remove the illegal encampments, and he did not want protesters on the property.

A view of the canyon from the protest site revealed the tops of several shacks, but a closer look was prohibited by mounted police officers and private security guards hired by D.R. Horton.

San Diego Police Department Capt. Boyd Long said the county had allowed the piece of land to be used for the protest, but would not allow protesters to spend the night, as some had indicated they hoped to do.

"They're exercising their First Amendment rights, and we're going to be a little flexible ---- a lot flexible," said Long.

There had been no arrests by 4 p.m., about three hours after protesters began gathering. Several shouting matches had broken out, and police were investigating one incident of "unlawful touching," but Long said, "It's been peaceful overall."

Participants included some high-profile figures, such as state Sen.-elect Mark Wyland, and Jim Gilchrist, who founded the Minutemen in 2004.

"I support every single one of these people who came out here," said Wyland, who is finishing his final term as a state assemblyman representing part of North County. "Most of the politicians in the federal government have ignored what is foundational in our country ---- enforcement of the law. They are undermining the faith in our system."

Others, such as nearby resident Jay Barnard, were drawn to the scene out of curiosity.

"It's an outstanding thing ---- it's enlightening to see that people want to stand up for what they believe in, and do it in a nonviolent way," said Barnard, who lives about a mile from McGonigle Canyon.

Barnard said he has noticed day laborers waiting on local street corners for work, and had heard that some of them lived in the canyon, but said he wasn't aware of how many.

"It doesn't make me nervous, it makes me angry," he said.

Protesters voiced discontent over alleged illegal activity taking place in the canyon, and called on the city and property owners to clear out the encampments.

Others, such as Michelle Bell, who came to the event with the group "Friends of Day Laborers," said they were surprised by the hostility expressed by the protesters.

"It's mind-blowing to me that they believe harassing people who are on the edge is a workable solution to our immigration issues," said Bell, motioning toward the canyon.

Bell said she attended the event as a human rights observer because she heard groups such as the San Diego Minutemen would be hiking through the canyon, and probably would confront any migrants who remained.

Police reports on Friday said that most of the men who lived in the canyon had cleared out in advance of Saturday's protests. So Bell and a few other counterprotesters, some wearing bandanas over the lower half of their faces, mingled with the crowd of anti-illegal immigration protesters, snapping pictures, taking video footage and drawing scornful looks and comments.

"They've been pretty aggressive, getting into everyone's face," Bell said of the anti-immigration protestors. "I would imagine this is what a Klan rally feels like.

"These folks are constantly saying they're not racists, not bigots, but it takes them all of half a second to start verbally attacking" those they disagree with, she added.

Gilchrist, the Minutemen founder from Aliso Viejo, said near the beginning of Saturday's protest that he feels the issue of illegal immigration has already proven it has the potential to tear communities apart.

"We hope to continue bringing awareness to the problem, and we're hopeful that law enforcement will enforce the law and remove the illegal aliens," said Gilchrist, carrying two flags over his shoulder.

As frustration grows over illegal immigration and what he called the "culture of corruption" that allows lax enforcement of border laws, Gilchrist said, "You're going to see some violence start breaking out, and that's what we're trying to avoid."

Gilchrist predicted that what he described as selective enforcement of the law will disenfranchise people already angry about illegal immigration, and said those illegal immigrants who dwell on land such as McGonigle Canyon illegally "should be repatriated back to Mexico, and apply for legal citizenship to the U.S."

"A nation without the respect of law is not a civilized nation," he said.

Contact staff writer Tom Pfingsten at (760) 731-5799 or . Comment at nctimes.com.