Gag Order

For the last eight months the young black men charged in the beating of Reginald Denny (the LA+4) have received nothing but abuse from both the authorities and the media. Now, as the trials approach, Judge John Ouderkirk has placed a gag order on supporters of the LA+4. He has banned the wearing of any buttons supporting the LA+4 from the Criminal Courts Building, even at pretrial hearings at which no jurors are present.

One is reminded of the old Chinese saying: “The emperor can burn down a thousand villages, but the people are forbidden to light a single candle.” This attempt to suppress even the slightest expression of dissenting opinion speaks loudly to the fear with which the government approaches these highly selective and politically motivated prosecutions. NAT WILLIAMS RONNIE BROWN Refuse and Resist, Los Angeles