COMPTON : Moore’s Defenders Blast Her Critics

A group of Compton residents on Tuesday defended City Councilwoman Patricia Moore, who they said had been unfairly attacked by her political rivals.

Moore, who is running for Compton mayor, was publicly reprimanded by her council colleagues and police officials after she made what some said were politically charged remarks at the recent funeral of a Compton police officer. The family of the officer has said it regrets allowing her to speak and, together with several city leaders, has asked Moore to publicly apologize. The councilwoman has refused.

Longtime resident Ethel Miree and about a dozen residents said at a news conference Tuesday that Moore did not say anything wrong and that her political enemies are blowing the councilwoman’s statements out of proportion. At last week’s funeral, Moore indirectly criticized Gov. Pete Wilson, who was in attendance, and brought up the specter of the police beating of Rodney G. King.