Latinos Target ‘Mexican-Bashing’ Politicians

A newly formed coalition of Latino organizations called Friday for a boycott of what it considers “Mexican-bashing” politicians, including Gov. Pete Wilson, state Treasurer Kathleen Brown and U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.

“We’re going to stop them from getting money, we’re going to stop them from getting support, we’re going to stop them from getting elected,” said Armando Soto Mayor, a spokesman for Chicanos Unidos, at a Los Angeles news conference.

Chicanos Unidos--which includes the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), G.I. Forum, Mexican-American Political Assn. (MAPA), Los Amigos de Orange County, Mexican-American Grocers Assn. and NEWS for America--called on Latinos and non-Latinos to withhold financial contributions to the four politicians, particularly because of the positions they have taken on illegal immigration.

Recent opinion polls have shown that a majority of Latinos, like other Californians, consider illegal immigration a serious problem. But the coalition lashed out Friday at politicians for making illegal immigrants the scapegoats for the state’s social and economic problems.

“We’re upset that these leaders are using Mexican-bashing to curry favor with voters,” Soto Mayor said. “We’re being blamed for social ills and we’re being used as scapegoats.”

Bill Chandler, a spokesman for Feinstein, denied that the senator--who is up for reelection next year--is anti-Mexican. Earlier this year, Feinstein proposed a $1 fee for every person crossing into the United States from Mexico.

“Sen. Feinstein has expressed her desire to meet with anyone who wants to talk about this issue,” Chandler said. “She has sought to come up with a package of proposals that are moderate and reasonable . . . (that would) protect legal immigration by restricting illegal immigration.”

Roy Behr, a spokesman for Brown, also denied that the state treasurer, who is expected to be a candidate for governor next year, has bashed Mexicans.

“She has simply pointed out that illegal immigration has become a serious problem, she has proposed some steps we can take to resolve the problem,” he said.