The 1980 Los Angeles Newsstand Confiscations
Los Angeles police confiscated Hustler copies during a city-wide crackdown on adult materials, drawing media attention.
After a series of public complaints about obscene material being sold at newsstands, Los Angeles Police Department Vice Officers initiated a city-wide crackdown on adult materials. On March 26th, 1980, officers went to various locations across Los Angeles to seize publications that violated California Penal Code section 311.4 (a), which prohibited the sale or distribution of any publication that depicted people engaging in explicit sex acts. The operation was named "Operation Pillar" after the name of the LAPD's vice squad commander, Lieutenant Robert M. Pillar.
Officers seized thousands of magazines, including Playboy, Penthouse, Swank, Oui, Gallery, and others. However, one magazine caught their eye: Hustler, owned by Larry Flynt. The magazine featured graphic nudity and sexual language, but it also contained political commentary and humor. This led to accusations that the crackdown was politically motivated, as Flynt had recently published an issue critical of President Jimmy Carter. The police denied these allegations, saying they were simply following the law.
Following the raids, there was widespread backlash against the LAPD. Some argued that the crackdown was a violation of free speech rights, while others criticized the use of taxpayer dollars for such an operation. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed suit against the City of Los Angeles, arguing that the seizures were unconstitutional. In response, the City Council voted to ban the sale of all adult materials from newsstands within 500 feet of schools, churches, or residential areas.
Despite criticism, the LAPD continued its efforts to clean up newsstands, confiscating more than 3 million items during Operation Pillar. They even went so far as to create a special task force dedicated solely to enforcing obscenity laws. However, the ACLU ultimately won their case in court, with Judge William Rea ruling that the city's ordinance was overly broad and unconstitutional.
The 1980 Los Angeles Newsstand Confiscations served as a reminder of the complex relationship between law enforcement, censorship, and freedom of expression. While some saw it as a necessary measure to protect public morality, others viewed it as an abuse of power by the government. The incident remains one of the most controversial moments in Los Angeles history, but it also highlighted the importance of upholding constitutional rights even when they are unpopular.