Police brutality at LA Pro-immigrant march

[Tekun]

Small turnout, big questions
Rallies draw a fraction of last year's crowd as activists ponder the movement's future. Clash erupts in evening.


By Teresa Watanabe and Francisco Vara-Orta, Times Staff Writers
May 2, 2007

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waving U.S. flags and demanding citizenship for undocumented immigrants, tens of thousands of jubilant protesters marched through the streets of Los Angeles on Tuesday during a mostly peaceful day that ended with clashes between police and demonstrators in MacArthur Park.

Fifteen police officers were among those hurt. About 10 people were taken from MacArthur Park by ambulance to hospitals for treatment, said d'Lisa Davies, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Fire Department. She said the injuries mainly were cuts, including head and neck wounds. None of the injuries were believed to be serious. Police reported that one demonstrator was arrested.

About 35,000 people turned out at two Los Angeles rallies, far fewer than the combined 115,000 that organizers had anticipated and greatly fewer than the roughly 650,000 who turned out at rallies last year.

Turnouts were light across the country compared to last year, when millions of marchers in 150 cities took to the streets.

Chicago — home of the original May 1 International Workers' Day more than a century ago — drew the largest crowd with 150,000, while New York's rally drew only hundreds.

In Los Angeles, after police tried to disperse demonstrators who had moved off the sidewalk onto Alvarado Street about 6 p.m., some of the few thousand participants still in the park started throwing plastic bottles and rocks at officers.

Then, several dozen riot police, clad in helmets and wielding batons, started clearing the park, firing a few dozen volleys of foam bullets into the crowd.

Late Tuesday, a spokesman for Telemundo confirmed that one reporter and three camera operators from the Spanish-language TV station had been injured and had been taken to a hospital by police.

Another TV station, Fox 11, showed video on its 10 p.m. newscast of a Fox camerawoman apparently being struck by a baton-wielding police officer.

The violence began unfolding when a helicopter flew low over the east side of the park and sirens blasted as police ordered people out of the park, telling them they would be arrested if they didn't leave.

The police formed a riot line across the park on the east side, forcing the crowd to move west. Some participants were yelling at police, "You can't do this."

About 6:45 p.m., police ordered the last people out of MacArthur Park, mostly news personnel and some marchers filming the police actions, declaring an "unlawful assembly."

One of those at the scene, Hamid Khan, who works at South Asia Network, termed the police action "absolutely an atrocity" and said officers overreacted.

The police action had cut short several speeches, he said, as people left when the confrontation began. "All this shooting is an atrocity," he said.

Another confrontation came about 6:50 p.m., still well before nightfall, when a police car with lights blazing was bombarded by bottles and clothes as it passed. A line of officers fired several volleys of the foam bullets from wide-barreled launchers resembling shotguns. People started running while throwing things, including plastic bottles and palm fronds, at Metro buses. One hit a bus with a piece of wood.

More police cars streamed north on Rampart Boulevard and west on 6th Street. In Lafayette Park, several police jumped out with batons and tackled crowd members, arresting someone in the big pile. They chased reporters away.

Late Tuesday, Police Chief William J. Bratton, speaking at a hastily arranged news conference at MacArthur Park, promised a department review "to determine if the use of force was appropriate."

He said police responded after "certain elements of the crowd … began to create a series of disturbances."

During that activity, Bratton said, "Missiles were being thrown at the officers, and officers [were] responding."

Still, Bratton said, the demonstrators creating problems were few and "that the vast, vast majority of the people who were here were behaving appropriately............
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ma...-home-headlines (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-march2may02,0,3947088.story?coll=la-home-headlines)

If anyone wants to see a clip of the attacks, here are 3 links:
abc7 (http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=local&id=5261285)
latimes (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-march2may02,0,3947088.story?coll=la-home-headlines)
fox11 (http://www.myfoxla.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=3086223&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1)



Im letting you know comrades, kuz it seems that 85% of the country is unaware of what went down here in LA
The US media machine hasn't exposed or covered these events, so its up to a few of us to inform the rest of the country and world of what happened on May Day here in LA

[R_P_A_S]

we all know the LA pigs are just trigger happy and just itching to beat someone down.
next year instead of waving U.S. flags lets burn them.

fuck waving that damn flag. OR ANY FLAG. its like kissing ass.

"please let me stay in ur country" <_<

[Ultra-Violence]

http://la.indymedia.org/news/2007/05/197834.php


i was there when it all went down police came in wiht thier motorcycles and tried to break up the aztec dancers and started clubing people. and broke the crowd into 2 then some people fomr the back of us were throwing water bottles and rocks at the cops then they called in "swat" this is were shit really happend wiht out warning they started shooting tear gas and rubuer bullets 2 of my freinds got hit and my girlfreind got shot in the leg and the tear gas was in the air so we tried to get people to from a block to stop their advancement cuase we out nmberd them but their superior fire power put an end to that what i saw now was just disgusting woman with thier chirldren trying to get away getting shot old ladies were getting clubbed and even the media were getting fucked up. this one ladie was tyring to help a vendor but his stuff on his cart as quick as possibel but it wasnt fast enough and she was clubbed and taken away then when we got to wilsher people were now running home or away me and my freinds were trying to keep people out of hamrs way cuase there were little kids every were then police attcaked again. so we pulled back and got some of the stage stuff used by the speakers and set up a barricade but it only held for so long till we were overwhelmd.

didnt know were to put this so im putting it here

were any other commrades their?

[BreadBros]

I wasn&#39;t there, but I&#39;m reading about this online at the moment. This is really really fucked up.

Here are some news articles on it:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=local&id=5264762

LOS ANGELES, May 2, 2007 - Police Chief William J. Bratton said Wednesday some of the police tactics to clear immigration protesters from MacArthur Park were "inappropriate," as numerous news videos showed officers striking people with batons and firing rubber bullets into crowds that included children.

Images showed police hitting a television cameraman to the ground and shoving people who were walking away from officers at Tuesday&#39;s demonstration. Some injured people were seen in the videos, including a Hispanic man with a bleeding welt on his stomach


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 of the few thousand people 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, director of the Central American Resource Center.


Maria Elena Durazo, the executive secretary-treasurer at the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, said the trouble was instigated by "a group of anarchists, not associated with the rally."

[BreadBros]

Can a mod/admin merge this with Ultra-Violence&#39;s thread?

[ComradeRed]

Merged&#33;

[YSR]

I saw the footage. Ri-damn-diculous. This looks like something out of an anti-globalization protest. And there, the protesters expect to get shot at.

[quirk]

As clear an illustration as is ever needed that the pigs are not here to "protect and serve" the people.

[Ultra-Violence]

its a big scandal here in l.a there putting on a full blown investigation ive been following the media closely and they have been on our side so far this is really hurting the lapd&#39;s image even more the only 2 stations who are justifying this shit are guesse who FOX and UNIVISION there blaming this whole shit on the anarchist when we wrent throwing shit till we got shot at.

[Fightin Da Man]

Originally posted by Ultra&#045;[email protected] 03, 2007 03:02 pm
its a big scandal here in l.a there putting on a full blown investigation ive been following the media closely and they have been on our side so far this is really hurting the lapd&#39;s image even more the only 2 stations who are justifying this shit are guesse who FOX and UNIVISION there blaming this whole shit on the anarchist when we wrent throwing shit till we got shot at.
Really? The clip I saw from FOX wasn&#39;t that sympathetic to the cops. It was pretty explicit about the cops beating up on their crew despite explaining that they were just trying to get to their truck.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=IeO6D5tzag8

That&#39;s pretty decent for FOX.

[Jesus Christ!]

Originally posted by Fightin Da Man+May 03, 2007 11:53 pm--> (Fightin Da Man @ May 03, 2007 11:53 pm)
Ultra&#045;[email protected] 03, 2007 03:02 pm
its a big scandal here in l.a there putting on a full blown investigation ive been following the media closely and they have been on our side so far this is really hurting the lapd&#39;s image even more the only 2 stations who are justifying this shit are guesse who FOX and UNIVISION there blaming this whole shit on the anarchist when we wrent throwing shit till we got shot at.
Really? The clip I saw from FOX wasn&#39;t that sympathetic to the cops. It was pretty explicit about the cops beating up on their crew despite explaining that they were just trying to get to their truck.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=IeO6D5tzag8

That&#39;s pretty decent for FOX. [/b]
I was actually really surprised by that too, how fox actually appeared to be unbiased and admitted they were essentially just beating up anyone in there way. As was said before this is yet another example of how the police don&#39;t protect and serve. Who are they protecting and serving by storming a peaceful protest and wantonly mauling people?

[chimx]

when FoxNews is reporting on police brutality... well... that&#39;s a bad sign..

[redcannon]

just goes to show how great protesting works. Change necessitates weapons.

[Ultra-Violence]

fox was only sympathetic that same day beceause their reporters were getting fucked up thats probably why the fbi is goanna investigate and so is the city and the police are making an internal investigation i hope it blows up in thier face a little known fact is that in mc arthur park their are cameras every to fight "DRUG" crime and i hope the media shows these and gets the ball moving

[BreadBros]

Just as a side-note: theres a pretty big difference between the FOX NEWS CHANNEL (FNC) and local FOX NEWS NIGHTLY NEWS put on by affiliates. The editiorial orientation of FNC (which is a national cable network) is decidedly conservative. The editorial orientation of local Fox affiliates depends on the locality and the station management.

[blake 3:17]

Even the most reactionary journalist doesn&#39;t like being clubbed, tear gassed, or shot at.

One of the rasons certain protest actions in Canada were not criminalized was beacuse mainstream media people were physically attacked by police.


fuck waving that damn flag. OR ANY FLAG. its like kissing ass.

"please let me stay in ur country"

:wacko:

[Janus]

Chicago — home of the original May 1 International Workers&#39; Day more than a century ago — drew the largest crowd with 150,000, while New York&#39;s rally drew only hundreds.
Only hundreds? :(

Anyways, after the massive scale of the protests last year I was expecting the police to be a bit more on edge but I never expected this much aggression and violence.

[OneBrickOneVoice]

Originally posted by [email protected] 05, 2007 01:52 am

Chicago — home of the original May 1 International Workers&#39; Day more than a century ago — drew the largest crowd with 150,000, while New York&#39;s rally drew only hundreds.
Only hundreds? :(

Anyways, after the massive scale of the protests last year I was expecting the police to be a bit more on edge but I never expected this much aggression and violence.
that&#39;s straight up bullshit. We pulled at least 10,000 here.

[R_P_A_S]

now imagine if all these people were class conscious and armed?

[Chicano Shamrock]

Originally posted by [email protected] 04, 2007 08:38 pm
now imagine if all these people were class conscious and armed?
I know I was kind of upset that no one had anything other than plastic bottles and rocks to throw back. :rolleyes:

These fucking pigs are out of control. We have the numbers we just need to organize so that people don&#39;t run away.

[Fightin Da Man]

Originally posted by [email protected] 04, 2007 02:55 pm
Just as a side-note: theres a pretty big difference between the FOX NEWS CHANNEL (FNC) and local FOX NEWS NIGHTLY NEWS put on by affiliates. The editiorial orientation of FNC (which is a national cable network) is decidedly conservative. The editorial orientation of local Fox affiliates depends on the locality and the station management.
I could be wrong, but I would think that FNC would do its best to keep affiliates in line, especially when they cover as large an area as LA.

[Sir_No_Sir]

:angry:
We need to arm ourselves.

And if this proves anything, it proves police are not here to "serve and protect". This was not an act of a few cops going against the people. This was the state striking against people who were demonstrating lawfully by the states rules.

[Ultra-Violence]

we did throw shit back at the cops we threw rocks and bottles and what ever we could get our hands on after the fact they started firing we even set up a sort of barricade with stagfe materials but we were out gunned and this protest was suppose to be peacfull they were kids their so if we did have guns it would be a big nono

[The Grey Blur]

Damn. Solidarity comrades.

[kill-switch]

I saw the footage of police using excessive rubber bullet rounds on protesters, and I go to thinking why those same rounds are not available to the general public and how we are left defenseless against the police with unlimited means of firepower, My idea is for people to go and protest with a high powered paint ball gun on their side, it is non lethal, it can not be mistaken for a handgun and it can help give the protesters a chance to show what could be if they had real guns and how the police would not stand a chance against the common man when they are united. Just an idea, Thank You for your time and pass this along to anyone you wish.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

This is a result of the "leaders" of this movement continuing to "moderate" the struggle.

The original demos in the spring of 2006 were powerful because they were largely spontaneous, or quickly organized, and involved people waving the flags of their countries of origin, announcing they were "illegal," and leaving work.

The leaders came along and attached themselves and told people they had to fly the U.S. flag, not the flags of their countries of origin.. they told them to have demos on Saturdays or in the evenings, as not to miss work or school (&#33;).. they call for "comprehensive immigration reform" instead of demanding citizenship now.. they refuse to organize or even the raise the call to undocumented fellow workers for self-defense...

When you come out strong in a polarizing way, then retreat piece by piece, this sort of shit is what follows.

[manic expression]

Originally posted by Compañ[email protected] 06, 2007 12:52 am
This is a result of the "leaders" of this movement continuing to "moderate" the struggle.

The original demos in the spring of 2006 were powerful because they were largely spontaneous, or quickly organized, and involved people waving the flags of their countries of origin, announcing they were "illegal," and leaving work.

The leaders came along and attached themselves and told people they had to fly the U.S. flag, not the flags of their countries of origin.. they told them to have demos on Saturdays or in the evenings, as not to miss work or school (&#33;).. they call for "comprehensive immigration reform" instead of demanding citizenship now.. they refuse to organize or even the raise the call to undocumented fellow workers for self-defense...

When you come out strong in a polarizing way, then retreat piece by piece, this sort of shit if what follows.
I think you make a great point. Hopefully the immigrant-rights movement (and their leadership) will learn from this.

By the way, what groups have been most active in the movement?

[Ultra-Violence]

from what i can tell you the mexica movement umm this group called chirlas and its just alot but the main heads are a bunch of wimps THEY WANT TO DO IT THE DOMOCRATIC WAY :lol:


update&#33;

the pig who was on highest command that day got demoted to working from home several other officers were also demoted and some are on suspension


in my opinoin its just a stunt by brantton to take the blame off his ass

[Chicano Shamrock]

Originally posted by Fightin Da Man+May 05, 2007 07:38 am--> (Fightin Da Man @ May 05, 2007 07:38 am)
[email protected] 04, 2007 02:55 pm
Just as a side-note: theres a pretty big difference between the FOX NEWS CHANNEL (FNC) and local FOX NEWS NIGHTLY NEWS put on by affiliates. The editiorial orientation of FNC (which is a national cable network) is decidedly conservative. The editorial orientation of local Fox affiliates depends on the locality and the station management.
I could be wrong, but I would think that FNC would do its best to keep affiliates in line, especially when they cover as large an area as LA. [/b]
Actually the local Fox channel here in LA is nothing like Fox News. Sometimes the morning news people even talk about how crazy people on fox news are. Especially when Bill O was going through his sexual harassment case.

[ahab]

you know what there needs to be, a counter riot police squad at every big demo and rally. Protestors in riot gear with similar or same weapons as the pigs. So that when the police start brutalizing everyone there can be some help. Instead of everyone just being unarmed and sitting ducks basically.

[Severian]

Originally posted by Compañ[email protected] 05, 2007 06:52 pm
This is a result of the "leaders" of this movement continuing to "moderate" the struggle.
What is? The police attack? - Probably not a result of moderation. The smaller size of the actions? -I&#39;d suggest that&#39;s primarily the result of the Sensenbrenner bill being defeated.

The danger represented by that bill, which threatened to treat undocumented workers as felons, was a powerful motive for people to demonstrate and take off work. And those powerful mass actions killed the bill.

But certainly the moderating influence of the leadership does weaken the impact of the movement. And spread illusions in Democratic politicians and their bills, like the Gutierrez-Flake bill, which is basically the same as Bush&#39;s proposals. (Guest worker program, having to leave the U.S. to apply for legal status.)

But still, the actions were sizable and widespread. The movement for immigrant&#39;s rights has not simply evaporated, and May 1, International Workers&#39; Day, seems to have made a permanent comeback in the U.S.

And this police attack has failed to intimidate anyone, and instead has backfired on the L.A. authorities, with calls for the police chief&#39;s resignation.