Gates’ Remarks Over Slaying of Policewoman
I am writing in response to allegations made by newly appointed Police Commissioner Melanie Lomax with regard to the statements made by Gates concerning the killer of Tina Kerbrat (Metro, Feb. 13).
Free speech is a right granted to us all. This includes our chief of police. For Lomax to call Gates’ remarks “racist,” impinges upon the rights of all of us to express the truth. One has to wonder if the same statements were made by Mayor Tom Bradley if any clamor would have been raised by Lomax.
The facts are these: The murderer of Tina Kerbrat was drunk and he was in the United States illegally from El Salvador. This isn’t racist; it’s the truth.
I sincerely hope that Gates’ accurate statements and right to free speech did not impinge upon the delicate sensibilities of all the individuals in Los Angeles who are here illegally. We certainly wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings just because a police officer was shot to death.
THOMAS R. NAVIN
Glendale
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