SIMI VALLEY : White Supremacists Seek Parade Guards

A representative of a white supremacy group that plans to march in Simi Valley asked the City Council on Monday to request National Guard troops to help keep peace at the Sept. 12 parade.

James Jones, a Los Angeles resident who is affiliated with the Mississippi-based Nationalist Movement, said he is concerned about the safety of people who plan to march in support of the four Los Angeles police officers who were acquitted in the Rodney G. King beating trial in Simi Valley.

When the Nationalist Movement attempted a similar parade June 6, the event was halted by police after violence erupted in a counterdemonstration that drew about 300 people.

Jones said Monday he is concerned about reports that another counterdemonstration will take place Sept. 12. “We really want law and order,” Jones said. “We just want to come in peacefully, take care of our business, and then be gone.”

Mayor Greg Stratton said the city will protect the Nationalist Movement’s free-speech rights, but he made no mention of the request for National Guard protection. Police Chief Lindsey P. Miller said earlier Monday that police agencies must first look to their county’s Sheriff’s Department and police agencies in neighboring counties for help before requesting National Guard troops. Miller said he will ask for deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department but does not expect to require the National Guard.

“I don’t really see this as escalating to the point where we’re even considering asking for regional help,” Miller said.

On Friday, Simi Valley officials publicly urged that no counterdemonstration be conducted Sept. 12, citing concerns about violence. Paige Moser, co-coordinator of the Simi-Conejo chapter of the National Organization for Women, acknowledged that a coalition calling itself “Neighbors Against Nazis” is planning a counterdemonstration.

But she said the group will urge participants to express themselves in a nonviolent manner.