Billboard’s Removal

Re “Controversial Billboard Removed,” June 24: Mario Obledo, a former state Health, Education and Welfare secretary, states that his efforts were “a victory for America” and “a victory against hatred and against racism.”

What were his efforts? He made threats which were quoted as, “I will tear them all down,” saying the method would depend “on where they are and how we can get to them. I intended to set fire to the sign, but the sheriff called and said there was a natural gas plant nearby.” Best Western hotels and Burger King had been targeted by the Latino organizations for economic boycott and damage to their signs, because they were on the other side of the billboard. Thus the threats and coercion practiced by Obledo resulted in the sign company removing the sign.

This is a victory for America? The Nazi techniques used by the Latino activists were anything but a victory for America. They represent everything that America is against. No, this was a sad day for America. Too bad The Times didn’t report it as such.

JACK BENDAR

Pacific Palisades

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World War II was fought in part to defend an individual’s free speech against a totalitarian government. God help us (if free speech allows me to refer to God) if Obledo ever becomes part of a future state or federal government administration. Anyone who threatens to set fire to a billboard containing an opposing political message and hails the success of a coercive campaign to remove this message as “a victory for America” poses a serious threat to the basic liberties our country hopefully still stands for.

CARL BRICK

Fullerton