Media Contact

Media contact: ACLU SoCal Communications & Media Advocacy, 213.977.5252, communications@aclusocal.org

December 29, 2016

Please attribute the following statement to Hector Villagra, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California, regarding the recent proposal by Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell, which would bar adults unaccompanied by children from entering city playgrounds:

"The recent proposal by Councilmember O'Farrell is plainly misdirected and if passed, would grossly infringe our basic right to access and use public space.

State and local laws already exist to ensure public safety in parks and recreational facilities. Criminalizing adults for simply being adults is not the solution. The city council should reject this fear-based proposal outright."