OFFICER FRIENDLY

I photographed this LAPD Officer as he confronted a group of protestors at the side entrance/exit of the Century Plaza Hotel (standing behind the Officer you can see a Secret Service Agent). Towards late afternoon, rumor spread that Bush was about to exit the Hotel from a rear entrance.

Demonstrators gathered in that area so as to make their protest visible to Bush and his Staff. A group of around a dozen LAPD Officers with Riot Helmets and Batons took up positions to guard Bush's exit. For a few tense moments several of the Officers jabbed and poked protestors with their clubs... and I expected violence (I snapped this photo just as the brief episode was to occur). Thankfully Protestors backed up and the Police were satisfied with the security zone they had created. A half hour later, Bush's

armored Limo and several SUV's filled with Secret Service Agents left the Hotel... but they used a different route that kept them well away from the demonstrators.