MEDIA ALERT - Friday, July 24, 1998

Valley Leaders to call for Independent Investigation into the barring of Valley residents from the Van Nuys Airport from circulating the Volley Citvhood Petition.

PLACE: Burbank Airport Front of United Terminal 2627 Hollywood Way, Burbank, California (Look for the Red Valley VOTE T-shirts)

What occurred this past weekend at the Van Nuys Airshow was a serious violation of the civil rights of San Fernando Valley residents. It is important the facts about this incident come out. Why were volunteers prevented from entering Airport property simply because they were wearing a Valley VOTE T-shirt or were carrying Valley Cityhood Study petitions on their person? If this was an attempt to sabotage the Valley's petition drive by some in City officials then it is unlikely any city department could conduct an investigation without having a conflict of interest. We are already seeing department heads claiming they've already review the matter and have found it to be a simple misunderstanding. It appears they are trying to sweep this trampling of civil rights under the rug without even talking to any of the volunteers who were involved.

On Thursday, July 23, Congressman Buck McKeon formally requested the US Attorney General's office step in and conduct an independent investigation. In light of yesterday's action by Congressman McKeon and the loud outcry in the Valley against the City's conduct at the airshow, an independent investigation is necessary. Valley VOTE will announce that it is also making a formal request in writing for the US Attorney General's office as well as District Attorney Gil Garcetti's office to take over the investigation and look into these civil rights violations. This investigation will determine if the constitutional rights of San Fernando Valley residents ere violated by City of Los Angeles officials.

Valley VOTE wants to know who made the decision and instructed the police to prevent Valley Cityhood supporters from entering the property. Is this part of a city strategy to sabotage the San Fernando Valley's petition drive? Several volunteers who were removed from the property will tell about their experiences at the news conference. The ACLU has stated it is prepared to file a civil rights lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles on behalf of the residents of the San Fernando Valley seeking a permanent injunction to prevent the City from preventing residents from circulating etitions on taxpayer owned property.

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