Bradley Assails ‘English Only’ Idea as ‘Evil’

In a biting speech before one of the nation’s largest Latino groups, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley on Monday assailed a November ballot initiative that would declare English the state’s official language and rebuked its proponents as “evil and uninformed.”

Taking his first public stand on the so-called “English only” statewide initiative, Bradley predicted that its passage would have life-threatening results in a city such as Los Angeles, where many people are not fluent in English.

“What is worst about this type of issue is that it would seek to pit one ethnic community against another,” Bradley told members of the National Council of La Raza on the opening day of the Latino group’s annual conference at the Los Angeles Hilton.

“It would stir hatred and animosity. It could tear us apart as a people, as a nation. That is the greatest fear that I have.”

The initiative that drew Bradley’s ire would require the Legislature and state officials to “ensure that the role of English as the common language of the state of California is preserved and enhanced.”

Although the initiative does not describe how the English language would be preserved, it would allow anyone offended by use of another language to sue the state to force compliance with the measure.

Proponents of “English only,” including former Republican Sen. S. I. Hayakawa, gathered more than 800,000 signatures of registered voters to place the measure on the November ballot.

Effects of Initiative

Opponents have argued that passage would mean elimination of bilingual election ballots, the printing of driver’s training pamphlets only in English and the curtailment of bilingual education in the state’s schools.

Bradley argued further that under the initiative Los Angeles could not hire bilingual public safety employees, including police and firefighters.

“It would mean that people who seek to report fires or accidents and tell a problem who are not fluent in English yet would be denied a response,” he said.

County courts would likewise have to make do without interpreters who commonly translate court proceedings to non-English-speaking suspects or victims, Bradley said.

“If you can’t understand what is happening in the courtroom, how on earth can you get justice in that court?” he asked.