2:25 PM: Dissent appears to be among the victims of September 11, as the October 22nd protest against police brutality has atrtacted a crowd of no more than 300, compared to roughly 2,500 last year. It's a vocal, very young crowd, but the size is disappointing. Still, it's a sign that dissent may have been injured, but it's far from dead.

2:40 PM: Half the members of Ozo Matli have just arrived to provide rhythm for march.

3:10 PM: The crowd is continuing to grow. Estimated size is now move than 500.

3:38 PM: The march is proceeding along broadway between 2nd and 1st. The crowd is described as "energetic" and "hard core." There's a substantial police presence, but so far there have been no incidents and all is well.

3:55 PM: Parker Center: Cops are mobilizing around Parker Center. There is a police helicopter overhead, about 10 police along 1st street side, and a helmeted squad of 8 or more on Temple. About 6 squad cars visible parked just off of 1st street.

4:07 PM: Parker Center: The march is just arriving at Parker Center, with numbers holding steady at over 500. There are at least 150 and possibly as many as 200 police.

4:25 PM: Parker Center Rally In Progress: There have been a number of speakers including several family members of victims. While the crowd is smaller than last year, the police presence is noticeably larger.

4:39 PM: Parker Center: It's been announced that protesters are about to begin marching around Parker Center, which is allowed by their permit.

5:05 PM: Parker Center: The earlier announcement of the march around Parker Center proved premature, as there were a number of other speakers who hadn't been heard from. The rally continues.

5:30 PM: Parker Center: The march around Parker Center has begun, with police easily outnumbering protesters.

5:45 PM: Parker Center: The march around Parker Center has ended, and while some of the remaining crowd has dispersed, many are returning along the line of march to Olympic and Broadway. Watch the newswire & center column for a complete roundup with photos and audio coming soon.

6:03 PM: Sirens blared through downtown as it appears police may be about to arrest and/or attack demonstrators on their way home. If so, this action recalls the police attack on returning demonstrators after the demonstration at Parker Center on Day 4 of the Democratic National Convention. On that occassion, there were videotapes of police attacking people in the subway station whose only crime was not running fast enough to get away. STAY TUNED!

6:10 PM: Dozens of police cars and a whole line of cops-100 or more-have the demonstrators surrounded, front, back and to the side between 4th and 5th on Broadway. The demonstrators are perfectly legal, walking on the sidewalk, while the police are all over place and have closed a lane of traffic. Stay tuned for continuous updates!

6:32 PM: From 9th & Broadway there are police cars up and down Broadway as far as the eye can see in both directions. Demonstrators continue along the sidewalk chanting vigorously. Stay tuned for further updates!

6:44 PM: It appears to be over. Demonstrators have arrived at Olympic and Broadway and are now dispersed. Swarms of police remain at the scene, with 4 lanes of police in cars between Olympic and 9th, plus many more on foot, and at least three vans. This display of DNC-style overkill seems to have clearly been aimed at provoking a response that could be used as an excuse for mass arrests and beatings. It appears to have been a complete failure-at considerable expense to the taxpayers of Los Angeles-as the demonstrators maintained their cool as well as their militance. Complete roundup reports to come.

I was attending the march as a Legal Observer with the National Lawyer's Guild and I witnessed a small police riot at the back end of the line of protestors traveling home down broadway. It took place just north of 2nd street. I had may hands to my ears due to the police sirens when I was struck on my right arm by passing cops. They then proceeded to club a number of people who were peacefully walking on the sidewalk. As is usual with an event the families with small children tend to walk near the rear. It was no different yesterday. I witnessed a father, mother and their two children get attacked. The police actually tipped a stroller containing a 3 year old. The father picked it up even as the police were cllubing him toward a fence. Their young daughter was also pushed in her chest hard enough to require an ice pack afterwards. As this was happening I took the last couple of frames of film I had in my camera and shouted out something to the effect that it was a police riot. A moment later their commanding officer called them into line up behind us. They march behind us all the way down broadway. Somehow being able to discern demonstrators from everyone else on broadway. If anyone else caught this on film please contact me.

Unfortunately I was well up Broadway and did not see this outrage, nor did I have a camera handy. This confirms what Rev. Bernell Butler said about the cops-THEY ARE TERRORISTS!!!!



FUCK THE POLICE!!!!!

great job at the protest. things got a little hairy though.