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Measure S: A brief illustrated history of campaign mailers
The LA City Attorney's Office has told Measure S campaigners to stop using a copy of the city seal on its mailers.
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Coalition to Preserve LA
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A photo released by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department showing a mailer put out by supporters of Measure S designed to look like an eviction notice, noting the indications that it's not a real eviction notice.
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Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
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Mayor Eric Garcetti has demanded the pro-Measure S campaign stop using his image on their mailers.
An "eviction notice" mailer from the anti-Measure S campaign.
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Measure S: A brief illustrated history of campaign mailers
The Los Angeles City Attorney's office on Thursday ordered Measure S campaigners to stop sending mailers with reproductions of the city's official seal, saying this creates the false impression that city officials endorse the initiative.
It's the latest volley in the fight over mailers created for the controversial measure. The March 7 ballot initiative would impose a series of regulations on developers, including a two-year moratorium on real estate projects that require special land use approvals.
Wednesday's cease-and-desist letter is directed at mailers spotlighting endorsements from former Mayor Richard Riordan and former City Attorney Carmen Trutanich. Their words of support for Measure S are printed on what looks like official city letterhead, featuring the city seal.
Leela Kapur, chief of staff for the City Attorney's Office, said the mailers make it appear as if former officials are speaking for the city, which she said is "misleading, inappropriate and unlawful."
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Measure S campaign director Jill Stewart said Thursday a legal response was in the works.
"This campaign is about empowering our neighborhoods, and clearly we have awakened the City Hall establishment, and they're uncomfortable because they're being called out," Stewart said in a statement.
She added that the campaign is no longer using those mailers.
It's the third time public officials have called on Measure S to stop sending particular mailers. Last week, lawyers for Los Angeles County issued a cease-and-desist letter to the campaign for another mailer that the agency said too closely resembles the eviction notices from the Sheriff's Department.
A photo released by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department showing a mailer put out by supporters of Measure S designed to look like an eviction notice, noting the indications that it's not a real eviction notice.
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Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
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The Measure S campaign shot back a letter saying the county was infringing on its free speech rights. Leaders point out that the Measure S opposition also put out an "eviction notice" mailer. (That one, however, does not mention the Sheriff's Department.)
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Before the "eviction notice" mailers, Measure S campaigners got in trouble for the use of Mayor Eric Garcetti's image on their mailers. The mayor's office said the mailers make it look like he endorses Measure S when he is in fact the best-known opponent of the initiative.
Mayor Eric Garcetti has demanded the pro-Measure S campaign stop using his image on their mailers.
Perhaps the next most famous public figure in the Measure S fight is Michael Weinstein who crafted the initiative. The head of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation has become the target of Measure S opponents, who go after him and his organization, like in this mailer:
A third person has emerged in the mailer wars, a developer-turned-commander-in chief. President Donald Trump is someone neither side wants to be associated with. Mailers for Measure S liken a vote for the initiative to telling off Trump and his developer friends.
Mailers against Measure S try to send the same message with a cartoon Trump:
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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