KPBS Midday Edition

How Proposition 187 Transformed California

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Marissa Cabrera / News Producer, KPBS Midday Edition

Published November 4, 2019 at 11:13 AM PST

This story was published more than 4 years ago.

Activists for and against Proposition 187 rallied in Los Angeles in 1996, after it was thrown out by the courts. Political analysts say tough rhetoric and laws targeting undocumented immigrants could now have lasting political consequences for the national Republican party.

Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the passage of Proposition 187 and a new podcast by The Los Angeles Times and Futuro Studios examines its legacy.

Twenty-five years ago, an overwhelming majority of California voters approved Proposition 187.

The measure, also known as the "Save Our State" initiative, aimed to prohibit people living in California illegally from receiving medical, educational and other social services.

After it passed, most of the initiative was blocked by the courts. Nevertheless, the effects of Prop. 187 are still being felt today.

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A new podcast by The Los Angeles Times and Futuro Studios examines Prop. 187's political legacy — from galvanizing Latinos to turning California blue.

Gustavo Arellano, a Los Angeles Times columnist and host of the podcast, "The Battle of 187," joined Midday Edition on Monday to talk about Prop. 187's legacy and San Diego's role in shaping California's anti-immigrant initiative.

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Maureen Cavanaugh

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Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

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Marissa Cabrera

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Marissa Cabrera worked as a producer for KPBS Midday Edition and had previously served as a Newscast Producer for KPBS' Morning Edition. Before joining KPBS she reported on Vatican affairs, social, and cultural issues in Rome, Italy. She also contributed to a documentary on sex abuse in the Catholic Church. Marissa has worked as a multimedia journalist at various news stations in San Diego and Monterey as well as Columbia, Missouri. Marissa graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism.

See stories by Marissa Cabrera