Barrett Better Off Ignored

On Sept. 12, Richard Barrett, head of the so-called Nationalist Movement, held a rally in Simi Valley.

I was present for the better part of the day, observing Barrett and the one follower who accompanied him as well as some 150 counter-protesters representing mainly out-of-area extremist groups but some local citizens as well. The Simi Valley Police Department, under the guidance of Chief Richard Thomas, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department succeeded in setting up areas where both the protesters and the counter-protesters had ample room and opportunity to speak.

It should be noted that through calm, professional and well-planned action, the city and county, particularly its law enforcement personnel, managed to provide protection for the community, the press, those on the right as well as those on the left and one another. Their actions, attitudes and results are worthy of the highest commendation and could serve as a model for other potentially violent protest demonstrations.

BARBARA H. BERGEN, Associate Western states counsel, Anti-Defamation League, Los Angeles