Trump's Anti-Mexican Hysteria An 'Embarrassment,' Councilman Tells Mexican Governors

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles City Council welcomed seven governors from Mexico at its meeting Friday for a discussion on the city's relationship with the country, and also presented them with honorary certificates of citizenship.

The occasion marked the first time the council has officially received governors from Mexico, according to Council President Herb Wesson's office.

Each governor spoke, and although their visit came amid increased tensions between the United States and Mexico due to President Donald Trump's aggressive rhetoric and actions against the country, their speeches were primarily about creating a positive relationship between Mexico and Los Angeles.

"Even though we have a border that separates us, we share the same region. And it is very difficult to separate that. We have family and relationships with thousands and possibly millions of people," said Gov. Francisco Vega de Lamadrid of Baja California. "We have grandparents living on both sides of the border, we have mothers and fathers living on both sides of the border, we have bothers and sisters living on both sides of the border."

Several of the governors praised Los Angeles and California for laws that help protect migrant workers and Mexican immigrants.

Before presenting the certificates, Councilman Gil Cedillo was more direct in addressing the tensions between the federal government and Mexico.

"We are in a time of incredible tumult and conflict of our values as Americans. Washington, as you know, for the last year we have heard incredible anti-immigrant, anti-Mexican and anti-Latino rhetoric. There is a hysteria taking place and a specter in our communities of deportation and disruption. And frankly of an embarrassment in terms of our relationship," Cedillo said.

He added, "But we are here as a city to say we continue to embrace our duality, continue to embrace our common values and by so continue to embrace our shared vision, a vision where all people are treated with dignity and respect."

City News Service; Photo by Brion Vibber via Wikimedia Commons