Council Aids Salvadorans, Condemns INS Charges

Angered by allegations by Harold Ezell, Western regional commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, that recent death squad-style threats in Los Angeles may have been “an orchestrated PR campaign,” the Los Angeles City Council condemned his remarks Tuesday and called for a congressional investigation into the reported threats and attacks.

The council, after an emotional debate, also voted to give $10,000 in financial relocation aid to Central American immigrants who have been threatened.

The resolution called Ezell’s remarks “inappropriate, inflammatory and insensitive.” Ezell, known for his outspoken manner, made the remarks late last month in an interview with The Times.

Although he did not directly accuse religious groups of fabricating the death threats reported by Salvadoran and other activists in recent weeks, Ezell did say they had “no credence” and were a public relations campaign generated by the religious sanctuary movement. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday on the council’s action.

2 Activists Abducted

Two Central American activists were abducted in recent weeks. One was seriously injured during what she said was interrogation by torture by two Salvadoran men. More than 30 others have said they have received death threats, including Father Luis Olivares of Our Lady Queen of Angels Roman Catholic Church.

Los Angeles Police Cmdr. Lawrence Kramer told council members Tuesday that police are investigating at least a dozen cases involving threats against Salvadoran activists. “They are very real threats and should be given a high priority,” he said.

Councilwoman Gloria Molina, who represents a largely Latino district, was the prime mover behind the council resolutions. She said the $10,000 to be given to the California Ecumenical Council’s Interfaith Task Force on Central America to help death threat victims should be regarded as a message that the city “will not tolerate such violence.”

Hal Bernson, the only council member to vote against the resolutions, questioned whether the money should be given to the group, saying he objected to special treatment for the crime victims and did not want to condemn Ezell.

During the debate, Councilmen Nate Holden and Gilbert Lindsay objected to the relocation grant, saying it gives preferential treatment to refugee crime victims at a time when members of black communities are being killed in gang and drug warfare.

Molina and Richard Alatorre argued that they, as Latino members of the council, had recently approved $100,000 for an African task force and money for black community activities. Last week the council voted to provide a $10,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of death squad suspects.

Rep. Joe Moakley (D-Mass.) called last week for a formal immigration service inquiry into the propriety of Ezell’s remarks and threatened to call a congressional investigation to determine whether Ezell had any information showing that religious sanctuary groups had filed fraudulent crime reports, a violation of federal law.

Ezell had indicated that he believes the publicity was generated to coincide with congressional debate over Moakley’s legislation to allow Nicaraguans and Salvadorans to remain in the United States for two years while federal authorities study conditions in their countries. The House voted to block the deportations.