The world was right for a brief moment in Venice as we marched for the civil rights of homeless people in conjunction with the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday. The cops followed and took pictures but the parade, led by Superbroke, danced down the Venice Boardwalk and on to the street to the Venice Windward Circle. An awesome feeling of solidarity as we stopped traffic on the street together for justice.
Story and pix: Venice Hosts A Day of Action For Rights of Homeless by Peggy Lee Kennedy
Saturday's demonstration drew about 200 people to demand justice for Kelly Thomas, a schizophrenic homeless man who was beaten to death by two police officers. Out of 200 protesters, there were 10 arrested. Two for vandalism, including a blond woman who allegedly attacked a CBS camerawoman. The 7 remaining people were arrested for refusing to disperse the scene. Officials claimed they did everything possible to accommodate the protesters, but eventually, the manifestation turned violent heading into Saturday evening.
A CBS reporter, along with a camerawoman, arrived at the scene. Protesters who were affected by the death of Thomas, were offended because the CBS reporter had taken pictures of the Anarchy symbol spray painted along the walls of the Fullerton Police office. People felt that mainstream news was not contributing into reporting the facts. There had been a few protesters who yelled: "The media is lie! Tell the fucking truth!"
(Pictured above: protesters at the lamppost where Thomas was killed. Photo: Pablo A. Unzueta.)
Full story and photos: The Kelly Thomas Protest In Fullerton by Pablo A. Unzueta
Also: CBS reporter attacked protester from Anti-Media