LAPD Not Immigrant Friendly at May Day Rally
13:29 H | Topics: Activism - Events - Immigration - Los Angeles
While most of the rallies held around the country in defense of immigrant rights were peaceful, the march in Los Angeles ended with police firing rubber bullets and using their batons against protesters.
Several people, including about a dozen officers, were hurt during skirmishes at MacArthur Park near downtown late Tuesday. About 10 people were taken to hospitals for treatment of injuries including cuts, authorities said. None of the injuries was believed to be serious.The clash at MacArthur Park started after 6 p.m. when police tried to disperse demonstrators who had moved off the sidewalk onto the street. Authorities said several people of the few thousand still at the rally threw rocks and bottles at officers, who fired rubber bullets and used batons to push the crowd back onto the sidewalk.
"(Police) started moving in and forcing them out of the park, people with children, strollers," said Angela Sambrano, one of the rally's organizers.
In typical police fashion (I swear they must have a secret handbook), the disturbances were attributed to a few select people who have been labeled anarchists by some. LAPD Chief William Bratton said an investigation would be conducted to determine if the force used by the department was appropriate. It should be noted that Bratton was Chief of the NYPD under Mayor Giuliani's reign and under Bratton's watch the number of police brutality incidents, including killings, against Latinos rose significantly. So I would tell L.A. residents not to hold their breath.
L.A.'s Latino mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, was out of town yesterday but lamented what happened and said he would push for a full investigation.
Those who went to rallies yesterday, tell us how the police response was to actions in your area.
Via / Yahoo! News
Image Via / SABC News
Related
- 9-11 ICE Arrests in San Francisco Highlight Disregard for Nuestros Niños y Familias (Monday, Sep 15 2008)
- Water, Water Everywhere For Immigrants Coming In Via Arizona (Tuesday, Sep 09 2008)
Feedback (6) » Share your opinion
1. Jennifer Woodard Maderazo ~ Wednesday, May 02 2007 | 13:41H:
The most offensive thing that SFPD did at our rally was to say to marchers "please move to the side of the street, we've got another truck of marchers coming". We complain about our cops being lazy and bumbling, but I'll take that over violent and oppressive any day.
2. Lucy ~ Wednesday, May 02 2007 | 14:41H:
I was there at MacArthur Park and it was heinous. The police were out of line completely. The crowd was completely peaceful and I find it hard to believe that ANYTHING beyond a little taunting happened. By one account, it was a plastic bottle of orange soda that their "glass bottles were lobbed" argument truly rests on. From the center of the action, where they attacked, it was entirely peaceful. NOTHING to warrant the rediculous and violent response from the police.
3. Bill ~ Wednesday, May 02 2007 | 16:50H:
Maybe taunting the LAPD isn't a smart thing to do especially when you are already a criminal. Throwing a plastic bottle, a glass bottle, or even a burrito at the LAPD will have a consequence. Imagine how a protest like this would be handled if it were in mexico. Even better, how about you all go back to mexico and protest there. Make your country better!
5. Maegan la Mala ~ Wednesday, May 02 2007 | 18:08H:
Bill - you obviously have never been to a rally/march (especially one being manned by officers under Bratton)Officers often provoke and often these officers are in street clothes acting like protesters. In NY the administration has admitted it has planted people at rallies and I saw it happen first hand at rallies when Bratton was the comish here. Not to mention the fact that the LAPD doesn't have the greatest record of restraint
I saw no provocation by the people in those videos. Not that it matters to you Bill, an obvious racist.
6. Peruanista ~ Thursday, May 03 2007 | 08:47H:
Bill, leave the Mexicans alone. By the way, where did you come from?



