Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

Tuesday July 16--Protests in L.A. are continuing to grow, as is police presence--and thus tax payer-funded LAPD overtime. Public officials, including Mayor Eric Garcetti, and media are vilifying a small group of violent protesters, blaming them for police presence/aggression. (However, it was noted on Pacifica's Letters and Politics Tuesday, July 16, 2013 that neither government nor media cares when much greater damage is done after sporting events (e.g., Giants winning the World Series in San Francisco).) Meanwhile, demonstrators blame the police and media for escalating tensions. A speaker on Letters and Politics stressed the importance of peaceful protest, saying that small business and property owners should not be alienated. Others have said glass is replaceable, lives are not. According to Pacifica Evening News, 14 arrests have been made--most for failure to disperse--and over 350 officers activated.

KPFK's Ernesto Arce reports that demonstrators in Leimert Park Village are sick of disrespectful and racist portrayals of African Americans by outside media. "I couldn't agree more," Arce says. "Of all the communities I cover, the black community is the most honest, the most real, the most righteously indignant, and the most beautiful of all."

Photos and videos: Saturday and Sunday Trayvon Martin Protests by jk | More Trayvon Martin Photos by imc volunteer | A Justice 4 Trayvon Martin Scrapbook

A week after the George Zimmerman murder trial verdict which ended in a complete acquittal of all charges in the death of seventeen year old Trayvon Martin, a nationwide rally was staged. Over one hundred cities participated with Martin's parents appearing at the New York City rally and the Miami events. The NYC day was attended by celebrities and glitterati. The LA action was much more basic. No stages and no celebs. Just concerned Moms and Dads, Grandpas and Grandmas, little boys and girls and those not yet born.

The event started in front of the Federal Courthouse on Spring Street and eventually marched to the upper south side via Wilshire Boulevard. The police presence was minimal with no visible riot cops. Although two trucks full of battle police did appear blocks away after the march had worn down.

There were black, white, Asian and Hispanic families carrying messages that in no uncertain terms cried out for the safety of black men and boys through a cessation of the "Stand Your Ground " laws that are in the statutes of 34 states at this time. There were calls to end profiling and to protect our youth from vigilantism.

Report and photos: LA Families March For Trayvon Martin by Robert Stuart Lowden | Photo Set 2

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.

A few weeks ago in Clovis, a young Native American woman was attacked by white supremacists. The police department seems to be doing nothing even though they reportedly have the license place number of the a car used by the attackers, and there has been no media coverage. According to a Department of Justice report (2005), "American Indians are more likely than people of other races to experience violence at the hands of someone of a different race."

Story: The recent surge in racial violence hits Clovis by Rick Panna | | Discussion on KPFK's American Indian Airwaves (7-19-11) (about half-way into the program) | | More on Clovis violence

About 40 people turned out at Leimert Park last night (November 7th) to protest the racism in Jena, Louisianna. This was one of many such actions that took place across the country, including San Francisco and Chicago. Traffic at this crowded intersection responded enthusiastically. Six to eight police officers watched us from afar in the parking lot.

One of the speakers, Linda, expressed gratification at seeing people of different races participating. "It's going to take more than black people doing this," she said. "Dr. Martin Luther King wanted all the different races with us. That's how we got to where we are now. We had to have all different races to help us. . . ."
From the newswire: Protest to Free the Jena 6 by RP