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Tuesday, May 3, 2005
Protest says it with stripes
By ERIC CARPENTER and GWENDOLYN DRISCOLL
The Orange County Register

FULLERTON – Debate over a billboard that has inflamed emotions on both sides of the immigration issue on Monday reached into Fullerton, where protesters masked part of the controversial sign there with a U.S. flag.

The billboard for KRCA/62's Spanish-language news program reads "Los Angeles, CA" - with "CA" crossed out and replaced with "Mexico."

The flag protest heightens antagonism about the long-simmering issue, which was spotlighted after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger lauded "Minuteman" volunteers last week for patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border.

"I applaud whoever put that flag up there," said Rene Montoya, a Placentia resident. "Making Los Angeles look like it belongs to Mexico is just wrong."

The ad's creator said he never intended to spark such debate.

"I am surprised and saddened by the reaction," said Lenard Liberman, co-owner of KRCA/62.

"Our intent with the ad was to instill pride in L.A.-area Hispanics and to promote a newscast - not to make a political statement."