KTLA News: "Los Angeles shows support for American hostages in Iran" (1979)

[Mike Botula:] The L.A. City Council took time out from its regular agenda to put the finishing touches on a special official holiday greeting to the hostages from the city. The resolution was signed by each of the Council Members, then others at City Hall were encouraged to add their own personal notes before the special greeting was handed over to Los Angeles Postmaster Charles King for delivery to the American hostages. [Zev Yaroslavsky:] On behalf of the city, Charles, we depend upon you to see that this gets delivered to the proper authorities into Iran. [Man:] ...not prepare the road ...how did it glow... [?] [Woman:] 49. [Man:] Senate approved. [Kenneth Hahn:] ...and you can turn it on for two hours. ...have turn on your headlights during Labor Day weekend. [Botula:] Hahn envisions the Christmas Eve light display as one way local residents can most easily show their support for the hostages. It's just one example of the widespread concern expressed by officials and private citizens alike. Even the Olympic Torch plays a part in the remembrance of the American hostages being held in Tehran. It's just one of the countless gestures displayed by the people of Los Angeles as they show their support for the 50 Americans held captive in the Iranian capital. And the Olympic Torch will burn until they are freed. In downtown Los Angeles, Mike Botula reporting for News at Ten. [muffled government procedure noise] [Botula:] The holiday greeting from the City Council was only one show of solidarity by local government. Supervisor Kenneth Hahn is calling for another, a more visible show of concern by local citizens. [Hahn:] I'm urging the support of all the citizens of Los Angeles County to turn on their porch light on Christmas Eve, that's this coming Monday at six o'clock in the evening until eight o'clock in the evening, to show their support and concern of our hostages that are in Iran. [muffled government procedure noise] [Man:] Thank you, gentlemen. [King:] Yes, sir. [Man:] Take very good care. [King:] Merry Christmas to you. [government procedure noise] [Yarevslavsky:] Congratulations to [...] occasionally, people like, like ourselves in the free world, the outside world, knowing that people care about you is a very important aspect of survival in these kinds of conditions. So without... [King:] Post Office has taken great pride in serving the people of [...] times of crises. We consider this no less a crises and we will perform our duty to see that this resolution... Thank you... [Yarevslavsky:] It reads, "a holiday greeting of love and hope... friends, City Council of the people of Los Angeles. Only your safe return home, home will make this truly a joyous season." And it's signed by all of us, Mr. President, Mayor Bradley, in the hopes that, indeed, these hostages will be released soon. Some of the message... [Man:] Want to turn it over there? [Yarevslavsky:] Would you like to say a couple of words? [King:] Thank you, Councilman. [camera clicks] [Man:] A couple more seconds. A great many homes turn on their porch light for just two hours, this will be a visible demonstration throughout America. At the same time, I'm urging you to turn off three lights in your house, so to save the energy, but flick out the, the porch lights, and tell your neighbors to do likewise. And I'd like every American home in Los Angeles County to show their concern by this method. The Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation doing that. The President of the United States has urged that we have unity. And I think we should do that as a visible support of the President, in this time of crisis for America. And I urge everyone to do that this coming Monday, at Christmas Eve from six to eight p.m. [Reporter:] Supervisor Hahn, granted you're a County official, but do you have any kind of input from your constituents about their concern over the hostages? Asking you if you can do anything in this situation? [Hahn:] Everywhere I go, whether it's a church or a barber shop or on the street, people stop me and say, "What can we do?" "What is happening on Iran?" And they're frustrated and they want to release some of that frustration in the, in an outward manner. That's why the Coliseum Event was held. It was kind of a flop because the people didn't have enough time. But it was a visible sign that we're concerned and we want to do something about it. And I think we can pray, and we should pray, but sometimes it's good to have some mass demonstration of, of some kind, as to show the people of the world that we're concerned. You know, if we do not, the hostages will think we forgot them. And they're lonely and they must feel at this Christmastime, time, does anybody care? And it looks like every day is getting worse for them. Every day, every hour, is really going down to the wire and their fate is in jeopardy. And I think it's good of - we do it in Los Angeles County. We're the largest County in America. We're the home of more veterans than any other county in the United States. We have over one million veterans in this county that have all, that served our nation time of war. And I think this is proper and fitting that we do it on Christmas Eve. [Reporter:] Do you think perhaps...[Reporter 2:] Why is the intention in the Coliseum? I would like to see it, but unless it's a, a success it shows to the - America that the people in California, you know, they don't care. You know, we're known throughout America as a kind of a carefree, glamorous community because of Hollywood. And, I think unless it's a real success of filling the Coliseum, it will not have the appearance of unity. And I think... you turn on... [Yarevslavsky:] ...to him after we all get a chance to sign it - there's a hope, if we can interpret them as messages of hope, will come true. It's been a very trying time for all of us. Most of all, to those hostages back there. Mr. President, in my years involved with people who have been kept hostage in one way or other, one of the great things they look forward to is comm-...