While Breaking Bad fans might find it amazing that bronze statues of Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) are now standing tall in Albuquerque, not everyone in the state of New Mexico shares that joy. Per Fox News, key conservative figures in the state have condemned the statues by arguing that they glorify drug dealers. For those unaware, Breaking Bad follows a high school chemistry teacher whose cancer diagnosis convinces him to partner up with a former student and produce mass quantities of meth.
Eddy Aragon, a prominent conservative talk radio host in the Albuquerque area and former mayoral candidate, has been among those crying foul. Aragon, who’s very familiar with the show and its characters, insists that it’s inappropriate to idolize the fictional criminals as they represent the state’s real-life drug problems.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
According to Aragon, it is also hypocritical to erect Breaking Bad statues after monuments of former presidents and other historical figures were removed in recent years.
Aragon isn’t the only locally-famous conservative putting the statues on blast. State Representative Rod Montoya also had something to say about the situation. Montoya acknowledged the jobs that filming Breaking Bad and its spinoff Better Call Saul brought to the state, but still has issues with “glorifying” two men known for producing high-quality illegal drugs.
Albuquerque’s Mayor Supports the Statues
Thomas Schnauz/Twitter
There might be some critics of the statues, but ABQ mayor Tim Keller stands by the decision to have them on display in the city. Taking to Twitter after the statues were unveiled, Keller explained how important it had been for the local economy to have the series set in their city. Even if the characters do bad things before eventually getting their comeuppance, the idea is to honor the people behind the show whose efforts have been very beneficial for the people of New Mexico.
For better or for worse, Albuquerque will be known as the hometown of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman for many years to come, even if that brings about some differing opinions on the situation.
