antonio villaraigosa

Antonio Villaraigosa

Mayor of Los Angeles. A far-left former college radical who's basically a truth-challenged empty suit motivated more by completely selfish personal ambition rather than ideology. Attended University of California at Los Angeles, where he was a former leader of the Chicano racial separatist organization MEChA. Despite the fact that he somewhat renounced that group in 2005, the Los Angeles Times continued its history of covering up for him. In addition to the LAT, his elite support comes from real estate developers, with his popular support coming from Hispanics including illegal aliens.

He's a strong supporter of illegal immigration, opposing immigration raids (also see this) and saying that illegal aliens have a right to remain here. He has questionable associations and after he was elected mayor he said that Mexico will play an important role in shaping his policies. He's also known to play the race card. And, he's tried to silence his critics.

In 2007, his career was dealt a blow after an affair with a TV newswoman ended his marriage. For his past history, see this, this, and this.

Last modified Dec 5, 2008
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Democratic Convention speakers list and immigration - 09/03/12

Summary This post has a list of the speakers at the Democratic National Convention and links to more information on their immigration positions when known. There are also a preview of how the immigration issue will be presented at the convention, and some things you can do if you oppose illegal immigration. Preview

What David Chalian won't tell you about Villaraigosa (Yahoo News) - 07/31/12

[UPDATE BELOW] David Chalian - Yahoo News Washington Bureau Chief - offers "Is Antonio Villaraigosa poised to be America’s first Latino president?" (link).

Antonio Villaraigosa to attack Mitt Romney on immigration (racist dog whistle?) - 02/08/12

From [1]: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, plans to dig into Mitt Romney in a speech on immigration reform Wednesday, when he will call the candidate's rhetoric and anti-immigrant endorsers "beyond the pale."

Hidden irony: Occupy L.A., Antonio Villaraigosa, and the Federal Reserve mural - 12/02/11

Lots of things about the Occupy Wall Street movement are ironic.

Immigrants and the Fortune 500: how Partnership for a New American Economy misleads (Bloomberg, Murdoch, Villaraigosa, Ballmer) - 09/04/11

In June, the "Partnership for a New American Economy" ("PNAE") - a coalition of Big Business billionaires and Big City mayors - released a misleading report designed to promote massive immigration. The report claims that a large number of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children, which is generally correct just as long as you look at it the right way and avoid discussing just how different things are now versus then.

NCLR letter for DREAM Act misleads (Richardson, Villaraigosa, Linda Chavez, Lionel Sosa) - 12/16/10

The National Council of La Raza has sent an open letter [1] to senators Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell urging them to pass the anti-American DREAM Act. That bill would let the illegal aliens covered by it take college resources from Americans: it would deprive some Americans of college educations. And, the NCLR's letter is misleading and signed by a small grab bag of very questionable people. It starts: As Latino leaders in government, business, entertainment, and sports, we urge members of Congress to support the "Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors (DREAM) Act." This modest...

How "centrist" will No Labels be on immigration? - 11/26/10

There's a new "centrist" group called No Labels in town [1], but they actually appear to be just a vehicle for a presidential run by Michael Bloomberg. And, it looks like on immigration and trade they'll support policies that are establishment-friendly but which cause harm to everyone else. One of the leaders of the group is former George W Bush advisor Mark McKinnon, and one of those who'll be appearing at their kickoff announcement is Antonio Villaraigosa. Another person involved is John Avlon. And, another person involved in some way is former Los Angeles Times editor Andres Martinez (...

Thomas Saenz: new president of MALDEF (Villaraigosa, Obama's DOJ, support for illegal immigration) - 07/16/09

Thomas Saenz - current chief counsel to Los Angeles City mayor Antonio Villaraigosa - has been selected to be the new president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). He was under consideration to head the civil rights division of the Department of Justice until that was withdrawn due perhaps to him and his affiliations being a bit too on the extreme side. Under his leadership, MALDEF will continue their strong support for illegal immigration. Per Phil Willon of the Los Angeles Times (link): Among his priorities as head of the Latino civil...

Antonio Villaraigosa won't run for California governor - 06/22/09

Antonio Villaraigosa - mayor of Los Angeles, a former racial separatist leader, and a very strong supporter of illegal immigration - has just announced that he won't be running to be governor of California. Per the Los Angeles Times (a paper that's covered for him for years): the mayor told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that he wanted to devote his full attention to Los Angeles, which is facing its worst fiscal crisis in decades. The fiscal crisis isn't all his doing, but he's certainly played a major role by supporting massive illegal immigration and various other moves. And, a recent study showed that...

"Bank on Los Angeles": city helps corrupt banks profit from illegal activity - 03/25/09

The City of Los Angeles recently announced a new public-private partnership called "Bank on Los Angeles" (bankonla.com) that's designed to help 10,000 low-income residents who don't have bank accounts ("the unbanked") open up accounts. It's also open to illegal aliens [1], and that means that Los Angeles City will be encouraging corruption by helping major banks profit from money that was earned illegally.

AVWatch: Barack Obama's economic advisors include... Antonio Villaraigosa - 11/07/08

Los Angeles' inept, corrupt, illegal activity-supporting mayor Antonio Villaraigosa - a former leader of a racial separatist group - is one of the members of Barack Obama's economic advisory board. Even the L.A.

American allegedly assaulted at National Latino Congreso - 07/19/08

A small number of people from the group No More Invasion protested in front of the National Latino Congreso/National Latino Congress yesterday, and one of their elderly female members was allegedly assaulted during the protest. There are pictures here. The LAPD arrested someone for the assault, and based on the picture and the text he appears to be from a group of anarchists/far-lefties who apparently work as independent bike messengers.

Barack Obama's LULAC speech (another lie; overload!) - 07/08/08

Barack Obama spoke to the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) earlier today. Some of his remarks were already covered here. The facts the MSM won't tell you about LULAC are here. A pre-convention BHO lie is here. However, there's much more. In fact, too much, but I'll try. Thank you, Mayor.

Obama, McCain, Clinton at LULAC convention (illegal immigration supporters; reconquista quote) - 07/07/08

Barack Obama, John McCain, and even Hillary Clinton will all be speaking at this year's convention of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), an illegal immigration-supporting group that was once patriotic but has since been radicalized. As shown by the attendees discussed below, the convention will be a nexus of those who do not support what's in the best interests of the U.S. For example, here's a 2007 quote from their national treasurer Jaime Martinez, who'll also be appearing at one of their workshops:

Villaraigosa, Dellums, Nickels don't want ICE immigration raids of "responsible employers" - 06/20/08

If you want examples of political corruption, illegal immigration is where you should look. The latest example is a resolution proposed by three west coast mayors at this year's Conference of Mayors meeting: they don't want ICE to conduct immigration raids of "responsible employers". Instead, they want them to only raid those companies that are abusing employees and the like.

Barack Obama, John McCain to speak at National Council of La Raza convention (+Villaraigosa) - 06/10/08

The annual National Council of La Raza convention - to be held July 12 to 15 in San Diego - will be a star-studded affair. We already knew that John McCain was going to speak to them, now comes the not-so-surprising word that Barack Obama will also make an appearance (link).

Jeff Bercovici, ThinkProgress spread anti-Rush Limbaugh smear (Antonio Villaraigosa) - 05/06/08

Yesterday on his show, Rush Limbaugh said this about an event where he ran into Bill Clinton and someone else: I shook his hand, he left, comes back, the mayor of Los Angeles, I thought it was a Secret Service agent, maybe a shoeshine guy. Turns out he gives me his card, I said, "Oh, my gosh, it's the mayor of Los Angeles." I stood up, I said, "Hello, Mr. Villaraigosa." The evil airheads at ThinkProgress claim this is an "Ethnically-Charged Insult" (thinkprogress.org/2008/05/06/media-limbaugh-villaraigosa), when in fact it appears to have another explanation. I don't know whether Rush has...

AVWatch: Antonio Villaraigosa complains to Michael Chertoff about ICE raids - 04/10/08

Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa - a former leader of the racial separatist group MEChA - has sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff asking him to back off on recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the city. This is simply an attempt to a) grandstand to his base (Hispanics, whether citizens, legal immigrants, or illegal aliens as well as their employers), b) maintain said power base, and c) support said employers in their attempts to profit from illegal activity. Anna Gorman of the Los Angeles Times has the scoop (link): [He warned] that work-...

Felipe Calderon visits the colonies (safe, legal "migration") - 02/13/08

Mexican president Felipe Calderon visited five U.S. cities this week, and had 34 events scheduled with a wide range of movers and shakers (his wife had a few events also). Some of the dignitaries he met with are listed here; picture right is of him with New York governor Eliot Spitzer from presidencia.gob.mx/prensa/?contenido=33715 Your must-read link is this roundup of his visit, with a few quotes from him congratulating Spitzer and others for their help. And, your takeaway is from this: At every stop, he has scheduled meetings with top local and state officials, some of whom have direct...

Felipe Calderon Feb. 2008 U.S. visit: Eliot Spitzer, Blagojevich, Schwarzenegger, Villaraigosa, Fabian Nunez - 02/09/08

Mexico's president Felipe Calderon will be visiting parts of their former territory next week, stopping in New York, Boston, Chicago, Sacramento, and Los Angeles but apparently avoiding Washington DC. In addition to U.S. officials, and some who are supposedly U.S. officials, he'll probably also be meeting with community leaders, such as those from non-profits, "hometown associations", the leaders of his PAN party who operate inside the U.S., and the like. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find a listing, but if anyone could leave information in comments that would be quite helpful. In...

AVWatch: Antonio Villaraigosa panders at gala supporting fashion designer charged with rape (Anand Jon, McAuliffe) - 10/04/07

Anand Jon is a fashion designer who's been charged with 59 counts of sexual assault or rape involving women between 14 and 27 [1]. The number of charges was recently raised from 46 in June, and he's now in jail. His lawyer says it's all fabricated.

Lotsa dogfood: Tennie Pierce LAFD settlement made ($1.43 million) - 09/21/07

Apparently the City of Los Angeles may announce later today a settlement with former L.A.

AVWatch: Tony Villar, Mirthala Salinas go greek - 09/10/07

See the picture. He later appeared on the Chabad telethon and supposedly broke into a dance. When not being mayor of Los Angeles, Tony Villar/Antonio Villaraigosa is a former leader of the racial separatist group MEChA as well as being a Hillary Clinton campaign co-chair.

Peter Prengaman, Travis Loller spin "reconquista" - 09/07/07

Peter Prengaman and Travis Loller of the Associated Press offer "Anti-Immigration Forces Warn of Plot" (original AP title). It discusses those that favor some form of "reconquista" and those who oppose them and tries to downplay the influence that those favoring "reconquista" have. On the other hand, it's good to see the AP at least acknowledging that such sentiments exist and publicizing them.

AVWatch: Tony Villar on Elvira Arellano; Mexico complains about consular protocol - 08/21/07

Elliot Spagat of the Associated Press offers a two-fer. First [1], former MEChA leader and current Hillary Clinton campaign co-chair and Los Angeles mayor Tony Villar (aka Antonio Villaragosa, Mayor Reconquista) has thoughts on the Elvira Arellano matter:

AVWatch: Antonio Villaraigosa Villarnovela; reporter shoved; Mirthala suspended - 08/03/07

The Villarnovela starring Hillary Clinton campaign co-chair, Los Angeles mayor, and former MEChA leader Antonio Villaraigosa continues with at least two new episodes: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today sought to put the scandal surrounding his personal life behind him, one day after the Telemundo network suspended his girlfriend, newscaster Mirthala Salinas, for covering the mayor while they were romantically involved...

L.A. DA: still investigating priest abuse scandal, criminal prosecutions not ruled out - 07/16/07

The Los Angeles diocese of the Catholic Church recently announced they were settling all outstanding civil suits in regards to the priest abuse scandal for $600 million. Now, L.A.

AVWatch: Antonio Villaraigosa's *second* girlfriend? - 07/05/07

Former MEChA leader and Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa recently separated from his wife, and the reported reason was because he had a long-running affair with Telemundo newswoman Mirthala Salinas. She reported about him before she was taken off that beat several months ago, and Telemundo reportedly asked her a couple times prior to the big announcement whether something was going on. Now, it's come to my attention that there might be even more going on.

Stop Racism CA: Unite (with Home Depot) Against Racism! - 07/02/07

Who could be opposed to a fine, upstanding site like StopRacismCA.com? Thank you for visiting StopRacismCA.com. We are a state-wide organization that is looking to stop all forms of hate and racism. We are confronted daily with politicians, policies and individuals who are trying to take our state backwards not forward. It is our mission to promote peaceful solutions to stopping racist actions by our government and elected leaders.

AVWatch: Antonio Villaraigosa, wife separate - 06/08/07

This is usually the type of stuff we don't cover, but, from earlier this year: Apparently responding to blogger Luke Forda

Sleazy Bush proxy Michael Gerson attacks "nativists" in GOP base over immigration - 05/25/07

The Bush administration's charm offensive continues with Michael Gerson - a Council on Foreign Relations senior fellow and Bush's former head speechwriter ("Axis of Evil") - offering up "Letting Fear Rule/Nativism Is a Recipe for Long-Term GOP Losses".

AVWatch: Antonio Villaraigosa, Fabian Nunez at MacArthur Park candlelight vigil? - 05/16/07

[SEE THE UPDATE BELOW] According to this [1]: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Speaker Fabian Nunez and radio host El Piolin are billed as participants in a Thursday procession and candlelight vigil for immigration reform at MacArthur Park. They gather at Immanuel Presbyterian Church at Wilshire and Berendo about 5:30 pm and begin walking about 6:40. However, the page they link to doesn't say anything about those three, only including a flyer listing the organizers: CARECEN, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA; possible Mexico collaborateurs), COFEM, Garment Worker...

AVWatch: Villaraigosa, Bratton "send message" on MacArthur Park immigration riot - 05/07/07

Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAPD chief William Bratton is currently holding a press conference pledging a "comprehensive review" of the May 1 MacArthur Park immigration riot. Bratton is demoting two leaders of the Central Division. Tony Villar is offering his remarks in both English and Spanish. In earlier demagogic news, Louis Sahagun of the Los Angeles Times offered "L.A.

MacArthur Park immigration riot: "safe spot" for journalists - 05/06/07

Los Angeles, home of sun-baked people and half-baked ideas, is truly a magical place: While [LAPD Chief William Bratton] met with journalist groups, [Antonio Villaraigosa] was speaking at Cathedral Our Lady of the Angels downtown where Cardinal Roger Mahony was celebrating a Mass of consolation and healing. In other news, Bratton continues throwing his employ

Tami Abdollah, Howard Blume/LAT on McIntyre/KABC/charter school lawsuit - 04/19/07

Tami Abdollah and Howard Blume of the Los Angeles Times take a "slightly different" tack on the lawsuit filed by Academia Semillas del Pueblo against Doug McIntyre of KABC ("L.A.

Los Angeles: Delgadillo, Cooley to work with ICE; Bratton resists (Special Order 40) - 04/05/07

From this: Suspected gang members who are in the country illegally and are arrested for even minor crimes could face quicker deportation under new policies unveiled Wednesday by the top two prosecutors in Los Angeles. City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo and L.A. County Dist. Atty.

El Diario shocker! "Cyber attack on immigrants" (Immigration Watchdog mentioned) - 04/04/07

Yesterday, New York's El Diario/La Prensa offered "Antiinmigrantes se toman la web" ("Anti-immigrants take the web" or similar). The translated version is here.

Looking back, moving ahead - 03/24/07

Los Angeles Times/Teresa Watanabe/[[March 24, 2007]]/ link subtitle: Organizers of last year's huge immigrant rights rally in L.A. reflect on successes and goals as they ready for Sunday's anniversary events.

The "Mexican border town" in Los Angeles: Cudahy - 02/26/07

Somewhat surprisingly, the L.A. Weekly offers the seven-screener "The Town the Law Forgot", all about the 1.2-square-mile city of Cudahy, California, located in southeast Los Angeles County near such tourist destinations as Maywood and South Gate.

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