Pamelyn Ferdin and Jerry Vlazak convicted in AR protest

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Voice of 'Peanuts' cartoon character convicted in animal rights protest



By ASSOCIATED PRESS
May 26, 2006


LOS ANGELES (AP) - An animal rights activist who was the voice of "Lucy" in several "Peanuts" television specials, was convicted Thursday of illegally demonstrating outside the home of a city animal services employee.

Pamelyn Ferdin, who also appeared as a child on "The Odd Couple" and "The Brady Bunch," and her husband, Jerry Vlasak, each were convicted on misdemeanor counts of trespassing and targeted demonstration.

A city ordinance prohibits a demonstration from occurring within 100 feet (30 meters) of a person's residence.

"Free speech is a right, one of the most treasured rights this country has to offer," said City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo. "But as the verdict in this case shows, there are limits to the exercise of that right."

The conviction results from an incident in June 2004 when Ferdin, 48, and Vlasak, 49, handed out leaflets critical of city animal shelters outside the home of David Diliberto, director of field operations for the city's Department of Animal Services. The couple also went to Diliberto's door.



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