Fight of the Seal

Historical perspective “Fight of the Seal”


On June 8, 2004 David Hernandez attended a rally called for by Radio Talk Show Host Dennis Prager. The issue involved the Original Los Angeles County Seal. As the morning unfolded it was learned, the ACLU had sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors threaten a lawsuit unless the cross on the seal was removed.

Throughout the day community leaders and religious leaders gave heart felt testimony as to why the cross should not be removed. Those speaking included member of all faiths and of no religious affiliation. As the day continued it was learned, the county counsel had already negotiated with the ACLU as to what was acceptable to them and three of the Supervisors had already reached a decision to remove the cross which had been on the seal since 1957.

The vote, three to two to remove the cross, marked the day when a county of over 4,000 square miles, a budget over 18 billion dollars and a population of more than 10 million people, caved to the THREAT of a LAW SUIT in the form of a two and a half page letter from the ACLU.

The following week, a motion was made to place the issue on the November 2004 ballot. Once again a vote was made by the Supervisors. Zev Yaroslvasky who had been the point man in the removal of the cross, voted with Yvonne Burke to not allow the people the opportunity to vote on the issue. Supervisor Gloria Molina abstained which insured the failure of the motion.

Remove the cross and deny the people the right to vote on the issue.

David Hernandez contacted the registrar recorder to inquire as to who was leading the fight to preserve the right of the people to vote. He was going to volunteer to be a part of the effort.

No one stepped forward to assume leadership. No one stepped forward to fight for the right of the people to participate in the process.

At that point, David Hernandez took action to give the people an opportunity to fight back. With only one week left to take action, a petition drive began on July 4th to get 171,606 signatures. The effort required a ballot title to be obtained and published, petitions to be printed and distributed. With limited resources and no time, 40,000 signatures were gathers in one week! That was petition drive number one.

The following effort was to give the people an opportunity to take action if they should choose to do so. The goal was to give the people six months to submit and gather 341,000 signatures, the number needed to overturn the supervisors vote. This was a conscious effort to provide a vehicle for the people to act, should they so choose. The effort secured 109,000 signatures. That was petition drive number two.

With resources still limited but with a volunteer base and public support, David Hernandez and the Save the Seal Committee set out to gather 170,606 signatures. A grassroots effort which consisted of volunteers countywide began to collect signatures.
By building coalitions and support on a National level, the effort brought to the public an awareness of the campaign by the ACLU to remove all religious symbols from the public square. As a result, when the Public Expression of Religion Act was introduced into congress, it was Los Angeles which was cited as the reason for the bill being vital.

When the 180 day time limit was up, 141,000 signatures had been obtained, still short of the goal to qualify the measure for the ballot, but successful in bringing the actions of the ACLU to the forefront of public awareness. That was petition drive number three.


As we prepare for the fourht petition drive, I want to thank all of you who have joined us in this battle.

David Hernandez