Letter to the Editor: Public protests

Dear Editor:

I found the article "City Council Declines to Take Action Against Home Protests” to be utter appalling. 

Can this be happening in this city where I've lived for over 30 years? My city of high values and law and order?  

Sure, like all of us, I believe in peaceful assembly and freedom of speech but when those gather together with the purpose of harassing, intimidating, disturbing the peace, and spewing profanities at public officials or anyone else, this is not peaceful assembly.  

I sympathize with Mayor Blanca Pacheco and Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Frometa for wanting action taken against the use of loud bull-horns spewing forth vulgar words in front of their homes at all times of the day. This is not the way to protest in America, and the council ladies should have the support of Alex Saab and other council members in taking action against those who feel they can do anything to achieve their goal of influencing how the City Council conducts its meetings.  

Where are the police in this matter? Surely disturbing the peace at all hours of the day and night should be against the law. Are they, too, like Saab and other council members spineless and fearful of a lawsuit? 

After reading this disgusting article, I feel ashamed of our city fathers. Protecting the bullies and not protecting the law-abiding and hard-working citizens should not happen in Downey or anywhere else.

Martha Morrissy
Downey