CA: Protest says it with stripes ~~ protesters add US Flag to hated Billboard

The Orange County Register ^ | Tuesday, May 3, 2005 | ERIC CARPENTER and GWENDOLYN DRISCOLL The Orange County Register

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

FULLERTON – Debate over a billboard that has inflamed emotions on both sides of the immigration issue on Monday reached into Fullerton, where protesters masked part of the controversial sign there with a U.S. flag.

The billboard for KRCA/62's Spanish-language news program reads "Los Angeles, CA" - with "CA" crossed out and replaced with "Mexico."

The flag protest heightens antagonism about the long-simmering issue, which was spotlighted after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger lauded "Minuteman" volunteers last week for patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border.

[Max in Utah]

I'd say KRCA has gotten it's money's worth on this advertising campaign. Whoever came up with this controversial idea should get a raise.

And then deported.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Searching with Google turns up this:

Spanish billboards in LA anger anti-illegal immigration activists

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LOS ANGELES (AP) - New billboards in Los Angeles for a Spanish-language newscast are upsetting activists who want to curb illegal immigration.

The billboards for KRCA-TV Channel 62 show two newscasters in front of the downtown skyline. Above them it says "Los Angeles CA" but the "CA" is crossed out and replaced with "Mexico" in bright red letters.

Members of Americans for Legal Immigration are calling the ads offensive.

The group's communications director Daryl Jurbala says it is "irresponsible" for companies to promote that sort of message and they should NOT make illegal immigrants feel welcome.

The station's Burbank-based owners says the Spanish newscast on Channel 62 is popular and people of Mexican descent make up a large part of the city.

Executive Vice President Lenard Liberman says: "We tell the story behind LA, and we tell the story behind Mexico."

He says he's "sorry" if anyone finds that offensive.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From newsmax:

Ad Puts L.A. in Mexico

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An excerpt:

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"This is almost a poster-board for illegal immigration," Peter Amundson, a volunteer with the California Republican Assembly, told the Times. "This is America. We're a land of immigrants – legal immigrants. This is not Mexico. This is the United States."

He called the ads "a slap in the face to Californians and a pretty blatant one."

Members of Americans for Legal Immigration, a political action committee that targets illegal immigration, told the Times the ads are offensive. They posted a photo of one of the billboards on their Web site, prompting angry comments.

"I think it's irresponsible corporate citizenship to be promoting that type of message," Daryl Jurbala, communications director for the group, told the Times. "I don't think it's responsible for anyone to encourage or reward or try to make illegal immigrants feel welcome."

The ad's sponsors defended the message. Executive Vice President Lenard Liberman told the Times Noticias 62 was a popular news program in Los Angeles and noted that people of Mexican descent make up a large portion of the city.

"We tell the story behind L.A., and we tell the story behind Mexico," he said. "If they find that offensive, I'm sorry. But you just have to drive around L.A. to know that this is a Hispanic city."

Stuart Fischoff, who teaches media psychology at Cal State L.A., told the Times the billboard was like "sticking a finger in your eye" to immigration reformers. "The joke here is, 'We're taking back California,'" Fischoff said. "Underneath the joke is part of the truth."

Note: Los Angeles is still in California and in no danger of migrating to Mexico, although the reverse is certainly occurring rapidly.

[Always Independent]

The idea was to give pride to the 6.8 million documented Hispanic immigrants living in the Los Angeles area: to say this is your home; be proud."
Lenard Liberman KRCA / 62 Co-Owner

NO! "THIS IS OUR HOME!" The ALAMO will not happen again!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From Sac Bee:

Governor: No political aim in border remarks

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Excerpt:

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By Gary Delsohn -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, April 30, 2005 One day after his explosive comments about illegal immigration, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's aides insisted Friday he didn't speak out to improve sagging poll ratings or whip up support for his "reform" agenda.

But they don't deny his comments could have that effect.

"Immigration is a small issue to the chattering class," Mike Murphy, Schwarzenegger's chief political adviser, said in an interview. "It is a big issue to the regular people who want Arnold Schwarzenegger to make a difference as governor."

Schwarzenegger interrupted his pitch for his proposed ballot initiatives Thursday by requesting time on a conservative radio talk show to blast television station billboards that he said encourage illegal immigration.

He then ignited a fury of criticism from Democrat and Latino activists when he said armed private citizens patrolling the Mexican borders - President Bush has called them "vigilantes" - have "done a terrific job."

And in a Los Angeles press conference Friday, he likened them to "neighborhood patrols" popular in many communities.p> Schwarzenegger raised the issue just as a new poll showed his popularity waning and as he enters the final days of signature-gathering to qualify ballot initiatives for a proposed Nov. 8 special election. His supporters fear his budget measure may miss Friday's unofficial deadline for signatures, pushing the election deeper into November.

[ravingnutter]

{Sigh}...

The real culprit is sanctuary policies created by local Governments (See 1st link below for info on Special Order 40). There has been a Federal ban on sanctuaries since 1996 but cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago and San Diego refuse to comply, even under court order. Some say we should punish employers, but some of the above cities even have city sponsored day labor centers that operate under a "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The illegals even receive free public education and free medical care at taxpayer expense; thirteen states offer them driver’s licenses (See: ‘Sanctuary’ Laws Stand in Justice’s Way and The Illegal-Alien Crime Wave) And don't forget...Ashcroft was demonized by the left for promoting a policy giving local Governments the authority to arrest illegals.

See the statue in the middle? It is the El Angel de la Independencia statue...which is located in Mexico City. The insertion of that figure is an in-your-face effort to promote the liberation of Aztlan (the US Southwest) by groups such as LaRaza and MEChA. According to MECha's national constitution:

"Chicano and Chicana students of Aztlán must take upon themselves the responsibilities to promote Chicanismo within the community, politicizing our Raza with an emphasis on indigenous consciousness to continue the struggle for the self-determination of the Chicano people for the purpose of liberating Aztlán."

In addition, Bush threw a bare bones proposal out on the table during a speech (read: no formal legislation submitted) and told Congress to hammer out a formal plan. Whether you like his outline or not, the fact remains that Congress has done nothing to remedy the situation.

Yes, this in a real invasion, but let's put the blame where it belongs.

[GVnana]

Hooray! USA all the way!

[muawiyah]

Half the illegals end up entering at other entry points, and half the people coming over the Mexican border are not Mexicans ~ they are being assisted to the border at El Norte by the Mexican government as a way for Mexico to handle it's own illegal immigrant problem.

Bright lights at the border won't quite do the job.

First, we have to make it a felony to employ an illegal. After that we can take other measures.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Audio link:

audio Schwarzenegger says controversial billboards promoting a Spanish-language television station should be taken down (2:03)

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

Clear Channel owns the billboard, and they own KFI (the radio station with John and Ken).

And everyone's high-fiving each other for helping Clear Channel execute a publicity stunt...

[cartoonistx]

I heard a suggestion for another sign that I really liked;

"MEXICO....OURS FOR THE TAKING IF WE WANT IT!"

[NormsRevenge]

But wouldn't taking down the billboards be like censoring the rights of FRee poor peoples to express themselfs , whether they are here legally or not?

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Just some intentional riling the masses up here, imo.

We'll see who LA elects as a next Mayor, LaRaza/ACLU/Activist Villagairosa or more of the big numb white guy ?

[Brad’s Gramma]

And everyone's high-fiving each other for helping Clear Channel execute a publicity stunt...

You could be right. Me? I'm looking at it as FINALLY OPENING some people's eyes to what's going on around us!!!

[onyx]

What's your opinion?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Just posted this:

CA: California population grows by more than half-million in '04

Did I miss something on this you may have posted?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I think the Bill Boards might actually help get some energy in the masses to pressure the Politicians on doing something about SECURING the borders...Obviously Arnoold is seeing it as a useful issue....

[onyx]

I think you're right.

[Czar]

"Whoever came up with this controversial idea should get a raise."

I'll be happy to administer the raise...

[TheSpottedOwl]

Thanks for the link. I must have missed that thread. I am curious about Liberman though. He is Mexican, but says he's Jewish? As some other posters on the link pointed out, Mexico is rather anti-semitic. Weird.

I'll look around for an email addy for these clowns.

[Czar]

Agree completely.