Public Artwork Angers California Group Opposed to Illegal Immigration

The Associated Press ^ | May 15, 2005 | Anon AP LA Stringer

[Pharmboy]

BALDWIN PARK, Calif. (AP) - Members of a group that opposes illegal immigration protested a piece of public art with inscriptions they claim are anti-American, sparking heated exchanges with residents of this heavily Hispanic city. Police in riot helmets separated the 40 members of Save Our State and scores of residents during the rally Saturday, but there were no reports of arrests or injuries. The protesters were then escorted away from the site.

The artwork, called "Danza Indigenas," has a 20-foot-high arch with inscriptions that read, "It was better before they came and "This land was Mexican once, was Indian always and is, and will be again."

The Ventura-based Save Our State organization, formed seven months ago, said it wants the inscriptions removed before the Fourth of July.

"I find it incredibly offensive," said Joseph Turner, the group's executive director. He said the inscription "is seditious in nature. It essentially talks about returning this land to Mexico."

The artwork was created 12 years ago by artist Judy Baca and commissioned by the city. Baca said the structure is a "layered history piece" that honors American Indians, immigrants and other groups who have lived for centuries in the area.

Baca said that Save Our State's complaint was misguided. She said the quote, "It was better before they came," was originally uttered by a "white man from Arkansas," who was complaining about the arrival of Mexican-Americans after World War II.

"When it went on the arch, its ambiguity became profound," she said. "The 'they' could be any 'they.'"

Baldwin Park, about 70 percent Hispanic, is 15 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

[nuconvert]

"Ms. Baca did not think this would raise this amount of noise that it did and I think she is backpedaling."

She can't pedal fast enough to get out of this one.

[catroina54]

".. offensive," said Joseph Turner, the group's executive director. He said the inscription "is seditious in nature. It essentially talks about returning this land to Mexico."

uhhhh,wasn't spain ahead of the US ???
give it back to them first.

[Clemenza]

While I agree with you about enforcing our immigration laws, if you would've gone to New York or Chicago 100 years ago, you would find urban neighborhoods where people didn't speak English or kept goats and chickens in their yard. It pissed off the tight-ass Wonderbread and Mayo set back then as well.

One group of folks moves in, while those who lived their previously say "dere goes da naybahhood" and move on. Its called ethnic succession and has ALWAYS happened in American society.