United with Nader Maya Meinert Special to the Daily Press Renowned consumer advocate Ralph Nader (center) joined local activists Wednesday at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and 26th Street, blasting the city of Santa Monica for issuing a cease-and-desist letter to anti-Prop W activists for a local billboard that distorts an image of the famous Santa Monica Pier sign. City officials have threatened to tear down the controversial billboard — which states the city is “For Sale by City Council” — citing trademark laws. Proposition W, or the “Good Government Act of 2006,” would amend the city charter to loosen restrictions against a person giving a city official contributions, employment or gifts. Nader faced a similar lawsuit during his 2000 campaign for the presidency after parodying Mastercard’s “Priceless” ads.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 26, 2006. Read the original PDF.