Los Angeles Times

In Lone Pine, a lawyer fights to change campground's derogatory name. The town pushes back

LONE PINE, Calif. - Storm clouds gathered over eastern Sierra Nevada peaks on a recent weekday when Allen Berrey spotted a modest granite headstone engraved with the name Jose C. Pires.

It was a crummy day to visit Mount Whitney Cemetery, but Berrey had a reason to spend it among hundreds of grave sites decorated with small American flags and flowers.

He stepped up to introduce himself. "Hello there, Joe," he said, with a toothy smile. "I'm a lawyer, and I'm not going to let folks call you derogatory names anymore."

Berrey reached into his backpack and pulled out a bottle of port. He poured a little into a paper cup. Raising it, he said, "Salud!"

___

Lone Pine is an Owens Valley town where Hollywood filmed many of its westerns, including some involving an outsider arriving

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