Downtown Statue Sparks Controversy

POSTED: 3:57 pm PDT July 31, 2007
UPDATED: 4:14 pm PDT July 31, 2007


SAN DIEGO -- Latino activists are denouncing plans to recognize former Gov. Pete Wilson with a statue in downtown San Diego.

The statue would be placed on Horton Square, just outside the NBC 7/39 studios, across the way from statues of Alonzo Horton and developer Ernest Hahn. The statue was commissioned by the nonprofit Horton Walk Of Fame Foundation.

The foundation said it is honoring Wilson for his leadership in the redevelopment of downtown as San Diego's mayor, before going on to the U.S. Senate and state capital.

But on Tuesday, immigrant rights activists told the San Diego City Council that Wilson is unworthy.

Wilson's detractors called him, "the father of the pro-racist movement" for his support of Proposition 187, the measure that would have denied illegal immigrants medical and education benefits had it not been struck down in court.

"Would the city of San Diego allow a Confederate flag in front of the Malcolm X Library? Would the city of San Diego allow an Adolf Hitler statue in front of a Jewish temple? Then why would a Pete Wilson statue be in the heart of a city which is one-third Latino?" said one man.

Wilson spoke to NBC 7/39 by phone for his response on the issue. Wilson said, "The fact is, they're unhappy with me because I opposed -- and continue to oppose -- illegal immigration. And if they think that is racist, then I wonder what their answer is to all the Latino Californians who voted for 187."

Wilson said he would be on hand when the statue is unveiled Saturday, Aug. 18. The statue costs more than $100,000, according to foundation officials.
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