KILMER APOLOGISES FOR NEW MEXICO CRITICISM
Actor VAL KILMER has publicly apologised to his New Mexico neighbours for critical remarks he has made about the state in past interviews.
The Doors star accepted an offer from San Miguel County officials to ex plain himself and attended a commission meeting on Wednesday (23Jun10), w here he attempted to make amends for sleights about New Mexicans, explain ing he understood why locals would be upset when they "hear negative thin gs about a place you love".
After hearing his comments, the officials granted the actor permission to rent out guest houses on his estate near Santa Fe.
But some neighbours, led by civil rights activist Abran Tapia, are not satisfied with Kilmer’s apology because he didn’t address charges he’s an alleged racist trying to chase Latinos off his land.
And Tapia insists someone needs to continue speaking up for those who w ere offended by remarks Kilmer made in a 2003 Rolling Stone article, wher e he was quoted as saying he lives in the "homicide capital of the Southw est" and keeps a gun in his vehicle. Kilmer added, "Eighty per cent of th e people in my county are drunk." The actor has since insisted he was misquoted.
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