SIMI VALLEY : Counter-Protesters Urged to Stay Home
Citing the potential for a violent confrontation, Simi Valley officials are asking that no counterdemonstration take place when a white-supremacy group conducts a rally and parade in the city on Sept. 12.
Mississippi attorney Richard Barrett, who heads the Nationalist Movement, has announced that his organization will march in support of the four Los Angeles police officers who were acquitted in the Rodney G. King beating incident after a trial in Simi Valley.
Barrett tried to lead a similar march near Simi Valley City Hall on June 6, but it was halted by police after violence erupted in a counterdemonstration that drew about 300 people.
Simi Valley police said they have received information that another counterdemonstration is being planned by “a broad coalition of activists.” City officials have issued a statement asking opponents of the Nationalist Movement not to attend the Sept. 12 rally.
“The City Council believes a counterdemonstration will only add to the potential for a violent confrontation,” Mayor Greg Stratton said in the statement. “Outside groups are being asked not to come to Simi Valley on Sept. 12.”
The statement added that Simi Valley officials have said publicly that they oppose the Nationalist Movement’s message.
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