CA: A Monumental War of Words~"Save Our State" says remove- "it was better before they came"

Los Angeles Times ^ | June 25, 2005 | David Pierson and Wendy Lee, Times Staff Writers

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

A Ventura County group's vow to force Baldwin Park to remove an inscription at a Metrolink station is based on an error, artist says.

Set at the junction of two freeways and along a major railroad route, the working-class town of Baldwin Park likes to call itself "the Hub of the San Gabriel Valley."

But the city, about 15 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and nearly 80% Latino, today finds itself the hub of an increasingly bitter fight over illegal immigration.

For nearly two months, Save Our State, a Ventura County-based group opposed to illegal immigration, has been demanding that the city remove an inscription on a 20-foot-tall monument at a local Metrolink station.

The group believes that its words — "it was better before they came" — are aimed at whites who displaced California's Mexican residents in the 19th century.

A protest by the group last month, the subject of talk radio chatter, dissolved into shouting when a much larger group of counter-protesters showed up, prompting police to call in reinforcements and costing the city more than $30,000, officials say.

It's a cost the city, with a population of roughly 80,000 and an annual budget of $40 million, can ill afford.

Save Our State vows to continue protests, including a rally today, believing the financial drain of dealing with the demonstrations will eventually cause the small city to remove the words the group considers offensive.

"I don't think the city can withstand that financial [burden], if we go back repeatedly," said Save Our State founder Joseph Turner. "We're not going away."

........
It has also asked protesters on both sides to sign "peace contracts" in which they agree not to act violently.

So far, few have signed.

[boofus]

How about engrave on the other side the words "It was better before we set them free".

Then see what those leftist hypocrites say. Bigotry is ok but only for them.

[martin_fierro]

Ironically, Judy Baca, the artist who made the monument, says the protesters have the meaning of the inscription backward.
The words are supposed to memorialize the jeers aimed at Mexican immigrants who began moving into Baldwin Park after World War II, she said.
Baca said the monument, "Danza Indigenas," was designed to honor Native Americans, immigrants and others who helped build Baldwin Park. Other inscriptions on the arch include: "This land was Mexican once, was Indian always and is, and will be again."

Yeah, I'm sure it was all some misunderstanding. < /sarc >

[joshhiggins]

"it was better before they came"

Whoever the "they" is it's offensive, but as long as it's up I will assume the "they" is referring to Liberals, Homosexuals, Mexicans, and fruit flies.

[A CA Guy]

"it was better before they came"

Obviously this is a slam at New Yorker's.

[claudiustg]

"it was better before..."

ought to be the state motto.

[marty60]

GEEE, how could this workers paradise of illegal aliens be having such financial problem. I thought America was living off THEIR ...uh CONTRIBUTIONS.

[joshhiggins]

"it was better before they came"

That would make a great "Artistic" bumper sticker.

[joshhiggins]

I took the picture of the monument, and cropped the photo down to just the very artistic "It was better before they came". I am going to print it off as a bumper sticker.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

ping your lists.

[bboop]

I would love one of those bumper stickers. haha.

[La Enchiladita]

Thanks, EATB, but I lost my ping list. So I guess I'm listless. (cymbal crash)

I signed up at the SOS website but never received a confirmation, i.e., was never accepted as a registrant. So be it. All the best to them.