http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=3266753


Spanish billboards in LA anger anti-illegal immigration activists


LOS ANGELES New billboards in Los Angeles for a Spanish-language newscast are upsetting activists who want to curb illegal immigration.

The billboards for K-R-C-A T-V Channel 62 show two newscasters in front of the downtown skyline. Above them it says "Los Angeles C-A" but the "C-A" is crossed out and replaced with "Mexico" in bright red letters.

Members of Americans for Legal Immigration are calling the ads offensive.

The group's communications director Daryl Jurbala says it is "irresponsible" for companies to promote that sort of message and they should NOT make illegal immigrants feel welcome.

The station's Burbank-based owners says the Spanish newscast on Channel 62 is popular and people of Mexican descent make up a large part of the city.

Executive Vice President Lenard Liberman says: "We tell the story behind L-A, and we tell the story behind Mexico."

He says he's "sorry" if anyone finds that offensive.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.