Posted on 05/28/2010 7:48:49 AM PDT by raccoonradio
Immigrant groups are asking the Clear Channel talk station for an apology, says the Columbus, Dispatch. A group named Reform Immigration America says the promotion, inspired by the mayor’s decision to suspend travel, is insensitive and offensive. WTVN offered a prize package that included trip to Phoenix, hotel, “a few pesos” and the chance to “spend a weekend chasing aliens and spending cash in the desert.”
WTVN PD Mike Elliott says the promotion’s not racist: “It’s not a race thing. It’s a legal thing. If you're breaking the law, it doesn’t matter where you're from.” The station even encouraged Columbus city employees to enter.
Hey! Hey! Hey! Support ARIZONA
Ha, that’s great!
Trip to Arizona a jab at mayor’s ban
Immigrant groups are asking a local talk-radio station to apologize for promoting a Phoenix giveaway that it launched after Columbus’ mayor suspended city travel to Arizona to protest its new immigration law.
WTVN-AM (610) promoted the giveaway as a trip to Phoenix “where Americans are proud and illegals are scared.”
The contest, which ended last night, was designed to capitalize on the maelstrom kicked up by Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s decision, said WTVN program director Mike Elliott.
It was the most popular the station has had, he said. About 5,000 people entered the drawing for round-trip airfare to Phoenix, hotel accommodations, a “few pesos” and the opportunity to “spend a weekend chasing aliens and spending cash in the desert.”
The station encouraged Columbus city employees to enter.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed a law in April that allows local police to ask for immigration documents if they stop or detain someone they reasonably suspect is in the country illegally.
At a news conference yesterday, Reform Immigration for America called the promotion insensitive and offensive and said it inferred a racial bias. The group supports providing documents to immigrants already living in the country without permission.
Jose Luis Mas, chairman of the Ohio Hispanic Coalition, said at the news conference that the station was inviting the contest winner to “spend a weekend hunting human beings.”
“I think it’s an attack on the immigrant community,” said Cristina Villacinda-Farr, a 40-year-old Dublin resident who came to the states 20 years ago from Venezuela and became a citizen. Villacinda-Farr took issue with the promotion’s use of the word alien. “I am an alien, but not illegal,” she said.
Ohio Action Circle, a statewide blog promoting immigrant rights, sponsored an online petition to condemn the promotion that it said mocked the immigrant community, particularly Latinos. As of yesterday afternoon, more than 130 people had signed the petition.
Elliott said the station does not plan to apologize. He disagreed that the promotion contained racial overtones.
“It comes down to the word illegal for me. It’s not a race thing. It’s a legal thing,” he said. “If you’re breaking the law, it doesn’t matter where you’re from.”
Hey...no MAS illegals, por favor!
You just knew someone was going to object and call this racist. I think it’s a great idea. If anyone is offended, go pound salt.
You can always ask, doesn’t mean you’ll get it.
Mrs. Neck and myself just got back from a week’s vacation in AZ. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Flew back with a plane load of proud parents on their way to Annapolis for Naval Academy graduation.
I love it! Too bad for the illegals they should save their outrage because from what I’ve read Ohio has much the same law making it’s way through the legislature.
FR should start a list of online stores in Arizona.
I’ll start with this one:
http://queencreekolivemill.com/
BUY ARIZONA online!
.... insensitive and offensive....
All the phony “protected groups” and their vile “human rightser” advocates use words like that!!!!
Hey, La Raza! Do you know what the word “traitor” means? Can you spell it. OK, El Stupido and La Stupida, it’s T-R-A-I-T-O-R!!!!! The word “traitor” describes you to a T!!!!
Stand with Arizona!!!! Deport all illegals and prosecute all traitors, from the White House on down!!!!
How dare you disrespect and offend us, you evil white racist, homophobic, Nazi Crackers!
/sarc
The only answer necessary for all these racist groups is:
ILLEGAL IS NOT A RACE
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