Simi Valley Police Issue Permit for Anti-Bigotry Rally Jan. 30 : Public assembly: Neighbors Against Nazis was formed after white supremacists planned to demonstrate in support of officers tried in the Rodney G. King case.

Simi Valley’s police chief has issued a permit allowing Neighbors Against Nazis to conduct a Jan. 30 rally against bigotry outside the East County Courthouse, city officials said.

The permit is required under the city’s new public assembly law.

Neighbors Against Nazis was formed by residents and social activists after Mississippi attorney Richard Barrett, leader of a white supremacy group, made plans to demonstrate in support of the Los Angeles police officers tried in the Rodney G. King beating case.

Members of Neighbors Against Nazis protested twice this year when Barrett spoke outside Simi Valley City Hall and the East County Courthouse, where the King trial occurred.

Last month, John Varela of Bakersfield, who identified himself as a member of the Ku Klux Klan, said in a letter to Simi Valley officials that he planned to protest the police officers’ second trial during a Simi Valley demonstration Jan. 30.

City officials advised Varela that the second trial will be held in Los Angeles, not Simi Valley. Varela did not respond, city officials said, and has not applied for a permit.

Police Chief Lindsey P. (Paul) Miller said that to avoid a potential conflict, he probably would not grant Varela a permit to demonstrate on the same day as Neighbors Against Nazis.

Willie Lapin, a spokesman for Neighbors Against Nazis, said the group is in the early stages of planning its rally. He said its goals will be to “celebrate diversity, promote understanding and make a statement against racism, violence and hatred.”