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BALDWIN PARK, CALIF. – For a dozen years, a 20-foot monument has stood quietly at the rail stop in this predominantly Latino city. Ray Leyba had never bothered to read it - even though he lives next door. It wasn't until the monument became the focus of a group raging against illegal immigration that he walked across the street and looked at one inscription: "This land was Mexican once, was Indian always and is, and will be again." Mr. Leyba was surprised, but his response pales in comparison to the recent fury launched at the slab of concrete by Save...

Warning to readers: The transcripts and photos from the following video clips contain very offensive statements. These are only a few examples of the angry racist slurs shouted at the Americans who dared to protest the monument in Baldwin Park, California. Overview Many in our government and the media deny the existence of the militant Mexican plans for the the reconquista of Aztlan. They say it is just another conspiracy theory. Others say it is only an idea supported by a few radical hispanics. What happened in Baldwin Park, is happening in cities across America. It is supported by all...

Baldwin Park police said they were opening an investigation to determine who struck a 66-year-old woman with a plastic water bottle during a sidewalk protest Saturday, sending her to the hospital with "cranial trauma." "We're investigating this as an assault with a deadly weapon," Sgt. Greg Keef said. Police said the victim, Laura Dalton of Murrieta, was struck during a shouting match between members of Save Our State, an anti-illegal immigration group, and their opponents. Save Our State organized the protest against what they viewed as divisive and inflammatory wording on a city sculpture. Dalton was initially observed in the...

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...

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"...

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...