Allow Communists To Work Openly In California State Government? No Way: OC Supes Say

LOS ALAMITOS, CA — Orange County supervisors Tuesday took a stance against a bill that would prohibit the firing of state employees for being a member of the Communist Party.

Joining with southern California lawmakers, the Orange County supervisors reacted to the bill written by Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, narrowly approved by the Assembly Tuesday.

"This bill is blatantly offensive to all Californians," Assemblyman Travis Allen said. "Communism stands for everything that the United States stands against." Allen, a Republican, represents the Orange County 72nd assembly district of Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Rosmoor, Westminster, Garden Grove and Fountain Valley in Southern California.

For the Supervisors, the bill strikes language referring to communism, but still allows for the dismissal of anyone who knowingly advocates the violent overthrow of the government.

The law that would be modified dates back to 1953.

"As an immigrant, my parents fled from North Korea to get away from a communist country, so I was shocked to hear this," said Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Michelle Steel. "I'm asking we all write a letter to oppose this legislation."

Supervisor Andrew Do, also an immigrant whose family fled Vietnam during the fall of Saigon in 1975, also criticized the legislation.

"Sometimes history needs to be reminded when we live in such a peaceful country like the United States," Do said.

"Especially for young people, they don't know the full impact of what it means to live in a communist society where you have no legal protection, when basically the communist party protects its own leadership and robs the people and exploits its people."

Do said the legislation is "outrageous," and represents, "the height of ignorance."

"This is something we need to take a strong and vocal stance against," Do said.

With City News Service, Shutterstock Photo