Harbor Boat Parade Is Vessel of Outrage : Protest: Illuminated demand for firing of Newport police officials in harassment suit brings cheers, curses.

Activists angered over the sexual harassment scandal playing out within the city’s Police Department made a late entry into the annual Parade of Lights Saturday with a boat decked out to display their outrage.

The normally quiet event got a jolt of excitement when a 53-foot vessel, the No Limit of Newport Beach, invaded the parade’s staging area in Newport Bay and cruised before spectators on the shoreline to demand the firing of Newport Beach Police Chief Arb Campbell and Capt. Anthony J. Villa.

“Stop Violence Against Women. Fire Campbell and Villa,” blazed a sign in two-foot-high letters outlined in white holiday lights on the side of the boat that weaved its way among the dozens of brightly lit power boats in the annual parade.

Organized by the Los Angeles branch of the Women’s Action Coalition, the illuminated, water-borne protest was accompanied by six drummers and more than 20 men and women who drew attention to their message by chanting their demands with the help of a bullhorn.

“Hey, hey, ho, ho, Campbell and Villa have got to go!” they yelled. The raucous protest brought many residents to their doors and temporarily halted activity at seaside restaurants as people stopped to stare. “Wake up Orange County, wake up Newport Beach!” the protesters chanted.

While most onlookers just gave the boat quizzical looks, many people, mostly women, yelled their support and waved. But it was also clear that many others were irritated by the boat’s appearance.

“Hey, take your bull---- out of here, this is Christmas!” yelled one angry man who leaped to his feet so quickly he rocked his small boat. “Bush-Quayle!” chanted another man aboard a boat, while another man aboard a yacht yelled obscenities at the women and called them lesbians.

The boat circled the bay, stopping near Campbell’s home and near a waterfront restaurant where Campbell was rumored to be dining.

While the protest boat stirred controversy, most agreed that this exclusive community has never seen anything quite like it.

“I don’t want to tell you what I think about it, but it’s not Newport Beach,” said resident Harry Stevens, who brought his daughter out to see the boats festooned with holiday lights.

Mary Artino, a WAC member and protester who describes herself as one of the seven Democrats who reside in Newport Beach, readily agreed.

“I’ve lived here 15 years, and this kind of thing just doesn’t happen in rich, wealthy Orange County, especially Newport Beach,” she said. “But that’s the point. This place has to wake up.”

Villa has been sued by 10 former or current female employees of the Police Department, who say they were sexually harassed by Villa. The suit alleges that Campbell was made aware of the harassment but did nothing about it. The women also say they were discriminated against, fired or disciplined after complaining of the harassment.

A police dispatcher has also accused Villa and Campbell of raping her 11 years ago during a police party at a local landfill.

Villa and Campbell have repeatedly denied wrongdoing and say they are being victimized by disgruntled employees.

Following the accusations, Villa and Campbell were placed on administrative leave. The controversy has rocked Newport Beach and the Police Department and has become one of the biggest scandals in city history.

WAC protesters said they were especially angered that Villa and Campbell continue to draw their salaries, while many of the women who claim that they were victimized say they were fired after making their complaints.

“Some of these women lost their jobs, while (Campbell and Villa) continue to get paid for what they did,” said Ceci Corn of Los Angeles, a WAC member and protester. “They should be suspended without pay like the women were. This is your tax dollars at work, Newport Beach.”

On Friday, Mayor Clarence J. Turner said the city had moved to fire Villa after an internal investigation found evidence supporting claims of sexual harassment. City officials said no action has been taken against Campbell because he has yet to be interviewed about the allegations. Campbell canceled a planned interview last month, citing health problems.

Protesters said Saturday that they welcomed Turner’s actions but that it came too late and only after criticism by the alleged victims and their attorney.

Kris Chappel of Long Beach, one of several men aboard the boat, said he was there to support his friends and also signal that it’s time for many men to change their attitudes toward women.

“I have many women friends, and I see them being hurt,” he said. “This kind of thing just has to stop.”

For the past 84 years running, the holiday season has been marked by the annual Parade of Lights. The event attracts thousands of onlookers who crowd the shore at Newport Harbor to see boats elaborately decorated with lights, balloons and special effects.

Typical entries afloat Saturday included scenes of Santa Claus and various holiday felicitations.

The women said they did not regret disrupting the parade to shock onlookers.

“I really don’t think we’re ruining anything for anyone,” said protester Cathy Mogull of Santa Monica.

The Women’s Action Coalition, which claims several thousand members nationwide, was formed in the wake of Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Women who were outraged by the questioning of Prof. Anita Hill faced by an all-male committee decided to create WAC as an action committee aimed at protecting the rights of women.

“We know there are women out there who could lose their job when they complain, so we’re here to put everyone on notice. WAC is watching,” Chappel said.

Protesters said they spent several weeks planning the event after reading about the scandal. They invited two of the women named in the lawsuit against Villa to address their organization two weeks ago, Chappel said.

“I just hope this makes people sit up and take notice,” Artino said.