Free Republic

For 12 years, public artwork near the Baldwin Park Metrolink station never caused a stir. But when a Ventura-based group that opposes illegal immigration got wind of what was inscribed on the artwork this month, they organized a protest that garnered attention when it was announced on the "John & Ken Show" on KFI-AM (640). By Saturday, activists on both sides of the immigration issue mobilized, resulting in a sometimes chaotic confrontation in the San Gabriel Valley community.Members of Save Our State, a 7-month-old organization, say they are offended by "anti-American" inscriptions that read, "It was better before they came"...

We have confirmation that a billboard is real. Clear Channel Communications does own the board but it is rented to an ad agency or the local news show. We are hearing from others that have seen the same sign in other cities, but in English. America needs to see Los Angeles's NEW address as part of Mexico. Please forward this news/link and help us channel traffic into the material. Also, we need help sending this to all national and local media you can reach via the web. Mexico Annexes Los Angeles, CA? See it here!Send Clear Channel a CLEAR MESSAGE!...

ARTIST STATEMENT By Judith F. Baca May 12, 2005 An “anti-illegal immigrant” group, Save Our State, of Ventura County, emboldened by their recent victory at the removal of a billboard referring to “Los Angeles, Mexico” is now demanding the removal of the wording on a twelve-year old monument in Baldwin Park, California, entitled Danzas Indigenas. I was commissioned to produce this work in 1993 by MTA and the City of Baldwin Park in collaboration with the Kate Diamond Architectural Group. The monument consists of a 20 ft arch, 100 ft plaza and 400 ft train platform. Produced with extensive public...

BALDWIN PARK, Calif. (AP) - A 12-year-old piece of public art has sparked a protest by a group that opposes illegal immigration. The 20-foot-high arch has inscriptions that read, "It was better before they came" and "This land was Mexican once, was Indian always and is, and will be again." It has angered members of Save Our State, a 7-month-old organization based in Ventura, which organized a protest Saturday that gained attention when it was announced on a local radio station. "I find it incredibly offensive," said Joseph Turner, the group's executive director. He said the quotation "is seditious in...

"I attended the Baldwin Park event as a news videographer for an independent program. The coverage we obtained was incredible, thanks to you folks. We were particularly impressed by the fellow screaming "Zarqawi! Yes! Yes!" and "Intifada!" and "Too bad Osama bin Laden did not have a nuclear bomb to drop on that dirty Jew shithole Manhattan!" That guy was a real charmer and it's all on tape. We got broad coverage of many of the obscenities, violence, cries of "Go back to Europe!" and "Our land!", good shots of the elderly lady who was struck in the head. We...