Mexico's Lopez Obrador blasts Trump's immigration policies at LA rally

[February 13, 2017]  LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Mexico's home-grown populist and presidential hopeful Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador rallied supporters in Los Angeles on Sunday, criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric and plans for a wall along the border.

Looking ahead to the presidential election next year, Lopez Obrador sought to tap widespread discontent with Mexico's ruling party and resentment toward the new U.S. president, while placing faith in Americans to resist Trump's policies.

"I think the wall and the demagoguery of patriotism are no match for the dignity and humanity of the American people," Lopez Obrador told the rally in Los Angeles.

Calling California "a refuge and blessing for immigrants," Lopez Obrador declared "Long live California" as hundreds of supporters at Plaza Olvera cheered.

"When they want to build a wall to segregate populations, or when the word 'foreigner' is used to insult, denigrate and discriminate against our fellow human beings, it goes against humanity, it goes against intelligence and against history," the veteran politician added.

His visit to Los Angeles came as thousands of people took to the streets in cities across Mexico to protest against Trump.

Three weeks into his administration, Trump has vowed to move ahead with construction of a wall on the border, repeatedly insisting that Mexico would pay for it, while also signaling a new push to deport millions of unauthorized immigrants out of the United States.

Mexican politician Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, (C), leader of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party speaks during a meeting at Plaza Olivera in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 12, 2017. REUTERS/Ringo Chiu

"If the Mexican government does not put before the United Nations in the coming days a complaint about the violation of human rights, then we will do it ourselves," Lopez Obrador said.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and Trump have been at loggerheads over the stance Trump first took against Mexico while campaigning for the U.S. presidency last year.

Mexico fears Trump's protectionist stance on trade and anti-immigration policy could put Latin America's second biggest economy in crisis.

(Reporting by Omas Younis, editing by Chris Michaud and Simon Cameron-Moore)

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