COUNCIL MOVES TO SHIELD ANIMAL SERVICES WORKERS.Byline: Dan Laidman Staff Writer In response to escalating protests by animal rights activists in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , the City Council voted Wednesday to ask state legislators to shield the personal information of some Animal Services employees. The council unanimously endorsed a pair of bills that would make it more difficult to obtain the home addresses and other personal information of public officials. The council then went a step further and requested that one of the bills be amended to include some Animal Services employees. Councilman Bernard Parks made the motion because of a recent campaign of demonstrations at the homes of Animal Services Department employees. ``They're not just picking on elected officials,'' Parks said. ``It's civil servants who are just doing their jobs.'' The Animal Defense League has picketed the home of former Mayor James Hahn For the Iowa politician, see . James Kenneth "Jim" Hahn (born July 3, 1950) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He was the Deputy City Attorney (1975-1979), City Controller (1981-1985), City Attorney (1985-2001) and Mayor of Los Angeles, California and threatened similar action against Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Antonio Ramon Villaraigosa (born Antonio (Tony) Ramon Villar, Jr. on January 23, 1953) is the mayor of Los Angeles, California. He is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since Cristobal Aguilar in 1872. to protest the euthanizing of animals at city shelters. The group has also targeted Animal Services Department employees, most recently picketing several homes over Labor Day Labor Day, holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September to honor the laborer. It was inaugurated by the Knights of Labor in 1882 and made a national holiday by the U.S. Congress in 1894. weekend. Such protests have resulted in a restraining order restraining order: see injunction. and trespassing charges. Councilman Tom LaBonge Tom LaBonge (b. Los Angeles 1953), member of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 4th district. He has served since 2001, taking over the position upon the death of John Ferraro. has discussed a possible ordinance restricting protests in residential areas. ``I don't like to see public officials attacked,'' LaBonge said Wednesday. Some First Amendment advocates, though, have questioned the effectiveness of the state legislation the council endorsed. Dan Laidman, (213) 978-0390 dan.laidman(at)dailynews.com |
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