LA Mayor: Bridges not walls on border with Mexico

The Associated Press
Monday, Nov. 30, 2009

MEXICO CITY -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says politicians in the United States should focus on building bridges instead of walls on the U.S. border with Mexico.

Villaraigosa says Los Angeles has greatly benefited from the cultural diversity of its residents. He says there are people from 37 different countries living there and that most Latinos in Los Angeles are of Mexican heritage.

"We should focus on what we have in common instead of focusing on our differences," Villaraigosa, who is of Mexican heritage, said Monday after a meeting with Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard.

Before traveling to Mexico City, Villaraigosa attended the opening for Guadalajara city's International Book Fair where Los Angeles was the featured city this year.

http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/2359643.html