http://www.sgvtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,205%257E12220%257E2866914,00.html
Article Published: Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 8:17:18 PM PST
Group plans protest at site of monument
Baldwin Park artwork has touched off furor
By Christina L. Esparza , Staff Writer
BALDWIN PARK -- World- renowned artist Judy Baca came to Baldwin Park about
13 years ago and had a vision for a piece of art to best reflect the
city's history.
She interviewed city officials and residents of all races, socioeconomic
backgrounds and beliefs.
Then she built Danza Indigenas, a monument that stands at the Metrolink
station.
It was designed to reflect the combination of the indigenous tribes who
lived in the area and the European settlers who moved in, Baca said.
She took quotes from residents, she said, and engraved them on the
monument.
The monument reflects "the ambiguity of different opinions,' Baca said.
Now, those carved quotes are causing a stir not only in Baldwin Park but
across the state, as a Ventura-based anti-illegal- immigration organization
declared war on the monument. The group claims such quotes as "It was
better before they came' are seditious and promote a radical belief in
returning California to Mexico.
"I'm offended by the language as an American,' said Joseph Turner,
executive director of Save Our State.
However, Baca said Turner and his organization have it all wrong. The "It
was better before they came' quote was actually from a white man talking
about Mexican immigrants.
The quote could come from anyone, she said. It could be the native people
talking about Spanish settlers, the first wave of Mexican immigrants
referring to the second wave and so on.
"This piece is about opinions, ideas and diverse points of view,' she said.
"This is not an individual's expression.'
Save Our State members plan a protest at the monument from noon to 2 p.m.
Saturday, but they won't be alone.
Several Baldwin Park residents have said they plan to make a counterprotest
to what they call outsiders causing an unwanted stir in their city.
"They're trying to add racial problems,' Councilman Bill Van Cleave said of
the organization. "Don't bring it to Baldwin Park.'
City officials said they have been bombarded with hateful, racist e-mails
concerning the monument. Even if it wanted to, the city cannot take down or
alter the art without Baca's permission.
She said she would not grant that permission.
Councilman David Olivas said he supports keeping the monument, which was
paid for by the city with $30,000 in matching funds from the former Los
Angeles County Transportation Commission, as it reflects the diversity of
the city.
"What they're afraid of is change,' Olivas said of Save Our State. "The
face of Southern California is changing. It's the American dream. We must
embrace change.'
Save Our State became active in December, Turner said. Its main mission is
to end illegal immigration.
With an estimated 300 members, Turner said the organization is growing with
such high- profile events as the monument dispute and its successful
efforts to remove billboards from a Spanish-language newscast that referred
to "Los Angeles, Mexico.'
The group holds demonstrations about once a month, Turner said.
"We are a small group,' he said. "We have to fight little battles in the
meantime.'
But some argue the group spurs racism and is itself anti-American.
Baca called the organization a "contemporary Klan' that promotes racism.
"The worst parts of us as human beings should never be encouraged,' Baca
said. "Spewing hatred is not American. ... It's a mistaken notion that
history begins when you walk in the door.'
Turner denied he is a racist, and said although the monument is art open to
interpretation, it doesn't mean it's right.
"History changes,' Turner said. "It's possible something that is acceptable
today will be unacceptable tomorrow.'
-- Christina L. Esparza can be reached at (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2472, or by
e-mail at .
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