Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

LOS ANGELES, April 17, 2010 – Neo-Nazi groups staged a demonstration today on the steps of City Hall. About 25 Nazis in full uniform and with Swastika flags marched to City Hall under the escort of hundreds of police. Police created a wide buffer zone between the Nazi rally and a large crowd of counter protesters estimated at around 500 people.

There are conflicting reports of at least two incidents where suspected Nazis were beaten by some members of the counter demonstration. There are reports of the beating of a shirtless man displaying swastika tattoos. And another incident where police intervened to extract a second man from the crowd it is unclear if the second man was indeed a part of the Nazi group. Both men escaped with minor injuries. There are also reports of some injuries sustained by counter protesters incurred from police blows during the LAPD intervention to extract the two men. From the Newswire: Nazis Hold Rally At Los Angeles City Hall & Protester Physically Attacked by Anti Nazi Censors By Robert Stuart Lowden | Some Photos of the Nazi Response Today 4.17.10 by by Cameron H. | Short report on the Downtown Anti-Nazi protest

Commentary by Anna Kunkin: The Nazis Brought Solidarity and Questions | | Photos: Nazi rally at LA City Hall turns bloody by Marcus | | VIDEO: Nazis are not welcome in LA by ONE LOVE COMMUNITY | | L.A. P.D. Undercovers @ Nazi Rally by Arizona Anarchist

UPDATE: Reports of up to five arrests have been made in connection with the brawl between a nazi supporter and a few counter demonstrators and the police intervention that ensued. Details of the incident are still not clear. Although no arrests were made at the scene, it is believed that police made the arrests at some point after the protest. At least one community organizer is been held on charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer. It is not clear how the charge is related to brawl but supporters are calling for the release of Julio Rodriguez. See Free Julio & Julio Rodriguez Update for more information.

New Reports still coming in: L.A. Anti-Nazi Demonstration Drowned Out NSM by Jen Kluu | NEW VIDEO: Anti-Nazi Rally by SCHA-LA | | LA Anti-Nazi Protest is a Civil Rights Victory - commentary by Luma Nichol

This just in: Julio Rodriguez Freed!. Still no word on four others believed arrested on Saturday.