MOSCOW — (CNN) The Russia-based leader of a “Calexit” campaign has backed off efforts seeking California’s secession from the United States and announced that he intends to “make Russia my new home.”
Louis Marinelli, president of the Yes California Independence Campaign, wrote in a farewell statement that he would withdraw efforts to get the question of secession on California’s 2018 ballot.
Seen by many as a fringe effort, interest in California’s secession increased after Donald Trump won the presidency.
The added attention increased scrutiny on Marinelli’s residency and drew attention to what he described as “anti-Russian hysteria” in the United States.
He wrote that he moved to Russia because of a dispute with the federal government over his wife’s immigration status.
“While Washington refused to act and the Americans continued to spew their hatred towards immigrants, Sacramento actively worked to protect our immigrants,” he wrote, referring to the state government of California.
“It was this contrast which motivated me to start this campaign for independence.”
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