Arnold: L.A. Billboard Should Come Down

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says a controversial billboard promoting a Spanish-language television station in L.A. that places the city of angels in Mexico should come down.

He told KFI radio-talk team John & Ken show in Los Angeles today that KRCA-TV should remove the billboard that portrays Los Angeles as located in Mexico.

“I think they should take it down immediately,” Schwarzenegger said.

He called it “divisive” and “unnecessary” and said it promoted illegal immigration.

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AP, April 29, 2005

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who outraged some Mexican-American groups last week by calling for a closed border, praised the civilian volunteer Minuteman Project for its patrols to spot illegal immigrants.

“Look, they’ve cut down the crossing of illegal immigrants by a huge percentage,” Schwarzenegger told KFI-AM’s “The John & Ken Show” on Thursday.

The Republican governor accused the federal government of failing to control the border and said it encouraged illicit crossers by giving them access to water.

“The whole system is set up to really invite people to come in here illegally, and that has to stop,” he said.

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Nativo V. Lopez, president of the Mexican-American Political Association, called Schwarzenegger’s comments Thursday “nothing short of base racism.”

“Those of immigrant stock should have no illusions about what his real sentiments and feelings are toward them,” he said.

Schwarzenegger’s press secretary called the issue a matter of national security.

“It’s not racist to ask the federal government to enforce its laws,” Thompson said.

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