Holding Back the Truth - Contribution Made at the San Mateo County History Museum and Redwood City Library March/April 2007

The following story of self-censorship was submitted anonymously on 1/27/2009

While camping in a country park off-trail, which is illegal, we accidentally started a forest fire from the coals of our campfire. When the firefighters started to look for the source of the fire in order to extinguish it, we didn’t tell them for fear that we would be fined or put in prison. We wanted to help, but didn’t, because we didn’t want to get in trouble. The fire was eventually put out with no harm to any people or property. If there wasn’t a punishment in store for us, we would have called the fire department immediately.
- 21 years old, male, landscaper