Woo Takes Call for Gates to Quit to Black Churches, Ministers

Michael Woo, the first Los Angeles City Council member to call for Police Chief Daryl F. Gates to resign over the Rodney G. King case, made the rounds to several churches in the black community last weekend in what one influential minister described as an apparent prelude to a run for mayor in 1993.

Woo was given time to speak on the Gates controversy at three busy Easter services Sunday, including one at First African Methodist Episcopal Church, where Mayor Tom Bradley is a longtime member and trustee. Woo also addressed the issue Monday before 150 ministers of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California.

Woo downplayed any political motivation on his part, saying he was speaking at churches and to ministers across the city in an effort to heal racial divisions that have erupted in the wake of the March 3 beating of King by police. The incident has had racial overtones because the officers are white and King is black.

“I want to heal the wounds that have opened up,” Woo said. “This is not a black or white issue but a broader citywide issue that applies to everyone. And I feel I am uniquely able to make this statement because first I called for Chief Gates to resign and I am an Asian-American, neither white nor black.”

Woo said he is “interested” in running for mayor but has not made a decision. Bradley, mayor for 18 years, has not announced whether he will seek a sixth term in 1993.

Woo’s call for Gates’ resignation and “the restoration of public confidence in the Los Angeles Police Department” was well received by the congregation at First A.M.E., where one of the pastors credited Woo with taking a strong stance against police brutality and described him as a potential “mayoral candidate” in 1993.

Rev. Cecil L. Murray at First A.M.E. said it appeared that Woo’s visit was designed to “build friends and bridges, a future network of support for a race for mayor, which is legitimate.”

Woo said he telephoned Murray shortly after he publicly called for Gates’ resignation. Murray said Woo asked for permission to address the congregation and it was granted.

Woo’s visit to First A.M.E. took place with the blessing of Bradley, according to the mayor’s office.

“The mayor was aware that Mike went over to First A.M.E. church,” said Vallee Bunting, a spokeswoman for Bradley. “He fully supports Mr. Woo’s right to appear at the church. Since Mr. Woo is the only council member to call for Mr. Gates’ resignation, he thought that First A.M.E. would be a good forum to explain his position on this matter.”

Councilman Nate Holden, who has expressed an interest in running for mayor in 1993, said he talked with Murray about Woo’s appearance. Holden said he believes that the mayor had a role in arranging for Woo to take the pulpit but would not elaborate.

“He was given time at the pulpit on Easter Sunday, one of the highest religious holidays,” said Holden, who has not called for Gates to resign.

Murray said his church was very supportive of Woo’s call for Gates to resign. “There may be pockets of support for Gates in the black community but the overwhelming feeling is that he should step down,” he said.

Bradley has stopped short of calling outright for Gates’ resignation.

Rev. Frank J. Higgins, president of the Baptist Ministers Conference, said his group had called for Gates to resign shortly after reports of the King beating became public.