Countywide : Latino Groups Want Ban on Racist Mailers

Seeking to prevent racist political hit pieces from appearing in the coming election, the leaders of two Latino groups said Thursday that they are asking the U.S. Postal Service to develop a policy that keeps such materials from being sent through the mail.

In a letter dated Wednesday to U.S. Postmaster Marvin T. Runyon, the presidents of the local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens and Los Amigos of Orange County seek a policy that would “stop the escalation of hate mailers.”

“We believe that hate mailers and voter intimidation do not fall under the protection of the First Amendment, Freedom of Speech,” the groups wrote. “The intensity and hostility of past and recent printed hate literature can only add to the fuel and flames of ethnic and immigrant bashing occurring in Orange County, California and the nation.”

As part of a proposed “Election Hate Crimes and Voter Intimidation Postal Policy,” the groups suggest that violations carry fines of $5,000 per 200 pieces of mail.

Arturo Montez, president of the LULAC chapter, said Thursday that he also asked the U.S. Department of Justice to assist in developing such a policy that would deter the spread of what he called “political pornography.”

Montez said he has not yet received a response from the Postal Service or Justice Department. He said he hopes such requests will put political parties, candidates and consultants “on alert” against using racist literature in campaigns leading to the June 7 election.

Such a mailer “perpetuates a climate and atmosphere hostile to people of color,” he said.