LOS ANGELES: Law­makers in California voted down a resolution on Thursday aimed at honouring legendary actor John Wayne, after opponents accused him of being a racist.

The resolution would have declared May 26 — the screen icon’s birthday — “John Wayne Day”, but several Latino and black lawmakers objected to the proposal, citing comments by Wayne that they said were racist toward blacks and Native Americans.

Assemblyman Matthew Harper had submitted the motion, which described Wayne — nicknamed the “Duke” — as the “prototypical American hero, symbolising such traits as self-reliance, grace under pressure, resolve, and patriotism”.

Supporters of the resolution also noted that the actor, who died in 1979 and was known for his conservative views, was an avid supporter of the US military and had contributed to cancer research.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2016