FOUR LOCALS were among 21 people formally charged in connection with protests that shut down the intersection of Katella Avenue and Harbor Boulevard in Anaheim in January (Shutterstock).

Four local residents were formally charged Friday for allegedly obstructing traffic while demonstrating in favor of higher wages for workers in Anaheim area hotels.

According to the Orange County District Attorney’s office, 21 persons were charged with blocking cars from crossing the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue on the evening of Jan. 24, 2019.

Slated to appear in North Justice Center in Fullerton on April 19 are:

• Matthew Ross Bell, 43, of Garden Grove
• Ada Francis Briceno, 46, Stanton
• Manuel Otilio Ortiz, 59, Garden Grove
• Maria Guadalupe Ortiz, 58, Garden Grove.

The specific charge is one misdemeanor count of “unlawful loitering upon public passageway so as to obstruct free passage” – violations of the Anaheim Municipal Code – and one misdemeanor charge of conspiracy to violate that code section.