Two dozen attend free speech rally

About 25 people staged a free speech rally Thursday on the corner of McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard.

The Santa Clarita Valley Free Speech Coalition staged the demonstration, where attendees waved American flags, chanted and held up signs condemning what they claim is coercion or suppression of local media organizations.

One such incident they cite is the recent firing of two KHTS AM-1220 employees who claim they were dismissed as a result of critical stories they wrote about Rep. Howard Buck McKeon (R-Santa Clarita). But group members say the issue is larger than that one incident.

We support all media, said Valencia resident Larry McClements. We need to take a stand against outside influence on the media, no matter the level.

Though McClements said the rally was meant to be non-partisan, several local political candidates were invited to attend, including McKeon, Edward Headington, Scott Wilk and Lee Rogers.

Rogers, the Democratic candidate for Californias 25th Congressional District, was the only one to attend the event, McClements said.

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Two dozen attend free speech rally