A THOUSAND RALLY FOR UNITED L.A.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

VALLEY GLEN - Kicking off one of the largest movements yet to keep Los Angeles whole, Mayor James Hahn, former Mayor Richard Riordan, and religious and community leaders rallied more than 1,000 labor union workers and others Saturday against San Fernando Valley secession.

With banners proclaiming ``United We Stand,'' janitors, restaurant employees and other union members joined forces with those already committed to the anti-secession campaign - the League of Women Voters, the Gray Panthers and One Los Angeles - at the rally at Los Angeles Valley College.

``We're stronger united,'' Hahn told the crowd. ``A people divided can never be united. A people united can never be defeated.''

Former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa kicked off the hour-long forum of pro-Los Angeles speeches from panelists who included actor Ed Begley Jr., One Los Angeles co-founder Larry Levine, the Los Angeles Fire Department's Capt. Steve Ruda and Leo Baeck Temple's Rabbi Marc Dworking, among others.

Most speakers acknowledged that the city has its share of problems, but they compared the proposed breakup to a troubled marriage that can be saved.

``I know this is a divorce that doesn't need to happen,'' actor Begley said. ``Both sides get poor.''

Riordan listed some of Los Angeles' best features, the Hollywood Bowl, Venice Beach, the Dodgers and the Lakers. He said that without help from the city and union labor workers, the Valley would not have recovered as quickly as it did from the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.

``Divorce is a terrible thing,'' Riordon said. ``My message to the Valley is we love you. Don't leave us. But if you do leave, we're keeping Kobe and Shaq.''

Unions in Los Angeles generally oppose secession because they fear workers could lose their jobs and pensions, and unions could lose contracts with the new Valley city, organizers said.

However, secessionists argue otherwise. Under the terms of the proposed breakup, the new Valley city would be required to honor existing contracts during the one-year transition.

Anti-secessionists bused in workers from as far as Orange County to support the campaign, which gained momentum earlier in the week as the San Fernando Valley Political Committee joined forces with the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, which represents 350 local unions, to urge members to come to the rally.

Speakers proved to be infectious with their comments as the crowd at Valley College followed almost each speech with rousing chants of ``Si se puede!'' in Spanish, or ``Yes, it can be done!''

The goal of the rally was to demonstrate the diverse groups secession would affect, organizers said.

Speaking in English, then in Spanish, Villaraigosa told the crowd that Los Angeles can become more than just a destination for those looking for a different life. It can become a better city if everyone works on its problems together, he said.

``Los Angeles is not just a destination, but it's a symbol of freedom, of opportunities,'' he said. ``We're here not only to work, but to work together, to roll up our sleeves and make (Los Angeles) work.''

After the rally, as Randy Newman's ``I Love L.A.'' blared from loudspeakers, some members from the local Justice for Janitors Union Local 1877 concluded they would oppose secession.

But they said they still understood little about the way separation would affect them.

``They didn't give much details about what would happen if the Valley did separate,'' said Silfa Honorado in Spanish.

``All we know is that for many of us, the Latinos who have minimum wage jobs, we know we will be affected.''

Samantha Stevens, a member of One Los Angeles, said anti-secession groups will continue to keep busy this summer in educating the public.

``It's taken us this long to form because like most people we thought (secession) was going to go away,'' Stevens said. ``It didn't go away and now it's on the Nov. 5 ballot. The good thing is that people are learning more about government, but it's going to take a lot of time to educate the public because it's a complicated issue.''