More to Story on Demonstration

The article “No Parking at Nicaragua Protest Drives Activists to Charge Repression” (Times, Oct. 4) requires a few supplementations to give an accurate account of the demonstration on Sept. 27 at the Federal Building.

First, the statement, “2,500 pro-and anti-Administration demonstrators assembled” needs refinement: There were at best some 50 pro-Administration demonstrators and over 2,000 anti-Administration demonstrators, and it is only the latter that had a permit for the demonstration. That permit was obtained, after being initially denied, by the combined efforts of the ACLU and the office of Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Los Angeles). Kay Van Horn, at Rep. Beilenson’s request, spent the better part of one day communicating with local authorities and those in San Francisco to ensure that First Amendment rights were protected in his district. Because of her efforts there was no need for the ACLU to intervene, and the First Amendment was upheld at the Federal Building. on Sept. 27.

Second, neither in this article nor in any previous article were readers of the L. A. Times informed of what the demonstrators were protesting. Over 2,000 men, women and children joined in a candlelight march through Westwood to say: stop contra aid and all U. S. war-related aid to Central America and work to ensure full U. S. support for Central American peace initiatives.

It is these issues which should be receiving the focus of attention from the L. A. Times and it should not require a parking problem for The Times to mention the demonstration.

DONALD KALISH

MARY BRENT WEHRLI

Los Angeles