by C.J.
Monday, May. 22, 2006 at 9:25 PM
cjmore13@hotmail.com
Two protesters including a well known Chicano activist was arrested in Downtown, Los Angeles during a confrontation with members of the volunteer border patrol the Minuteman Project.
Protester Marlon Inamorado and immigrant rights activist Javier Rodriguez were arrested today in Downtown, Los Angeles during a confrontation with members of the volunteer border patrol group the Minuteman Project.
Both Inamorado and Rodriguez were charged with disturbing the peace in two seperate incidents during the anti immigration march sponsored by homeless activist Ted Hayes and MMP founder Jim Gilchrist. This reporters eyewitness account saw officers from the Los Angeles Police Department take Inamorado into custody after stepping off of the sidewalk as the march was about to begin.
Javier Rodriguez whom was a key organizer in the May 1st Boycott and March 25 demonstration was arrested after a heated debate with Gilchrist during the Q&A portion of a press conference being held in support of todays march.
Rodriguez said,"I attended the press conference with the objectiveness of a journalist."
"I engaged Gilchrist with a few questions and a small debate broke out and the next thing I know I am being taken into custody," said Rodriguez.
Over 100 protesters took part in todays counter demonstration against the MMP and the hundreds of merchants working along Broadway showed their support by cheering them on as they chased Hayes and the MMP to city hall.
The demonstration started clearing out around 2:30 due to the LAPD threatening protesters with citations or in Rodriguez and Inamorado case;the threat of incarceration.