LAPD Attacks Protesters, Reporters, Cameras
Wednesday May 2, 2007
See also: 15 Years After the Rodney King Riots
May 1st, 2007 was not a Day Without Immigrants. No longer facing draconian legislation in the form of 2006's H.R. 5537, which would have called for the forced deportation of 12 million undocumented immigrants, immigrants' rights groups called off boycotts as the new, smaller rallies took on a less dramatic tone. Draft immigration reform legislation, currently under consideration by the Democratic Congress, seems to be written with both immigrants and the rule of law in mind. The situation for immigrants is not perfect, but things are much brighter than they were last year.
But in any protest, there are going to be a few people who don't behave themselves. Such was the case in Los Angeles' MacArthur Park, as a few troublemakers threw plastic bottles, wood planks, and other debris at LAPD vehicles. A small group of LAPD officers apparently figured out a simple solution to this problem: Beat up those people. Then fire rubber bullets and tear gas indiscriminately into crowds of peaceful protesters standing nearby. Then beat up any reporters who might be filming the incident. Then start destroying the cameras.
The end result: Almost 15 years to the day after the Rodney King riots, a video surfaces of LAPD officers chasing down protesters and striking them with batons as they try to flee, then trying to destroy videotaped evidence of the abuse. Ten people, including at least five journalists, were hospitalized. The Los Angeles Times reports:
Streaming video:
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But in any protest, there are going to be a few people who don't behave themselves. Such was the case in Los Angeles' MacArthur Park, as a few troublemakers threw plastic bottles, wood planks, and other debris at LAPD vehicles. A small group of LAPD officers apparently figured out a simple solution to this problem: Beat up those people. Then fire rubber bullets and tear gas indiscriminately into crowds of peaceful protesters standing nearby. Then beat up any reporters who might be filming the incident. Then start destroying the cameras.
The end result: Almost 15 years to the day after the Rodney King riots, a video surfaces of LAPD officers chasing down protesters and striking them with batons as they try to flee, then trying to destroy videotaped evidence of the abuse. Ten people, including at least five journalists, were hospitalized. The Los Angeles Times reports:
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" ...Noting that "the vast, vast majority of [protesters] who were here were behaving appropriately," LAPD Chief William Bratton has called for a full investigation. "[Q]uite frankly," he said after reviewing video of the incident, "I was disturbed at what I saw."
Late Tuesday, a spokesman for Telemundo confirmed that one reporter and three camera operators from Channel 52, the Spanish-language TV station, had been injured and had been taken to a hospital by police.
Another TV station, Fox 11, showed video of a Fox camerawoman apparently being struck by a baton-wielding police officer.
Streaming video:
- LAPD Officers Use Force to Disperse Immigration Marchers (FOX 11 Los Angeles)
Comments
Because we have no idea what the background of these illegal aliens are, having them act in violent ways shouldn’t be surprising. This is an unlawful demonstration – as unlawful as the people who decided to cross our borders without permission in the first place. If you believe in civil liberties, then you know that means taking the law seriously. None of the illegal protesters are doing that and neither is anyone supporting what they do. By sanctioning this behavior, you are teaching all U.S. and Mexican citizens that it is perfectly OK to break the U.S. law if it displeases you and that you will be given a free pass for breaking the U.S. law in terms of repercussions for your actions. This is outrageous and fiscally irresponsible since we cannot afford to have over 12 million people take benefits from our system without giving back to it. I’d prefer to take care of the many sick, starving, poor and needy legitimate U.S. citizens with our tax dollars before being saddled with taking care of illegal aliens who have not pledged allegiance to our flag, have not paid taxes nor have show any respect for our laws.
Jan, while you raise some valid issues, no one suggested it’s okay to break the law. Just as not all the people who were demonstrating are not all “card-carrying” illegal immigrants. You’re right that it would be an extreme burden on our system to hand out benefits without any way to obtain funds to support those benefits. I’m simply not sure how it’s logical to assume everyone wants to obtain citizenship just to “suck the system dry,” or that those who would abuse our system aren’t already doing it. The harsh criticism the LAPD has received is mostly because of its officers’ reactions to what was essentially a few people trying to start trouble where none existed. That they escalated the situation actually created the real trouble and a much more dangerous situation. It not only generates all the added scrutiny the understaffed LAPD truly doesn’t need, but it also casts a negative shadow on the rest of the LAPD who are hardworking people dedicated to saving lives. And what of the news reporters who were harmed or told they could not film the events? That’s illegal. And what of the police attacking and destroying people’s personal property after those people filmed the police doing something illegal? That’s also illegal. Remember, a demonstration is not an illegal act whereas the police deciding what is and is not allowed in a particular community goes against the very fundamental ideals upon which our country is based. In the end, if you’re going to place such importance on pledging allegiance to the flag, you might want to consider what constitutionally-protected ideals that flag represents.
Jan, you might like to know that, not only are these demonstrations legal, the assembly had a city permit to assemble at the park until 9pm.
Jan, I bet you’re one of those people who assumes that anyone with olive skin and a Spanish accent is here illegally. I assume, then, from your logic, that you think it’s OK for the police to beat up illegal immigrants? Please. Close-minded, bigoted people like you are 90% of the problem. I have news for you, Jan — assuming you are a US citizen, unless you’re one of those folks coralled on a reservation, you too are descended from an immigrant. Shut your mouth and open your mind.
LAPD Police-thugs Bravely Subdue Dangerous TV News Camera
From Fox News video — hired and uniformed thugs, also known as the Los Angeles Police Department (L.A.P.D.), assault a TV News crew covering the “May Day” rally and subsequent Police riot.
Jan – These were lawful and PLANNED events. It does not matter the reason for the event: political, religious, or otherwise! The Police did not act in a professional manner!! In fact, this puts a bad face on law enforcement in general. The slogan of the department is to “Protect and Serve”. The reason for the police to be there is to protect lives and property. Rather instead they did more harm than good and destroyed property themselves. Yes there were a few who through things at the police – but there response was not appropriate given the number of innocent bystanders hurt. For the record, I do not necessary agree with the reason for the assembly. But ALL OF OUR RIGHTS died a little on that day!