latimes--2020-05-30--A night of vandalism, looting and despair in downtown L.A.: 'This is all depressing'

In the heart of downtown Los Angeles ’ loft district , which before the coronavirus bustled with restaurants and other shops , the scene was chaotic and surreal at midnight .
Hours after what began as a peaceful protest of began in downtown , the situation took a dark turn .
Los Angeles police repeatedly clashed with protesters as they tried to push them south from City Hall .
Then , some people in the crowd began vandalizing buildings and looting some businesses .
One man threw a scooter into a plate-glass window of a business .
Some jewelry stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a handful of jewels to a reporter on the street .
Jewelry display cases lay nearby .
A Starbucks on Spring Street was thrashed , its windows broken , merchandise taken and furniture tossed onto the street .
Nearby , a CVS pharmacy was broken into and a stream of people went inside , returning to the street with items .
Many storefronts as well as police cars were marked up with graffiti .
Slogans included , “ End Racism , ” “ Brown Power Unite ” and “ Keep Social Distancing Rioting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on police .
There were screams of “ Anarchy.
” Most businesses were empty .
But a few owners rushed to their shops in hopes of protecting them from looting , including Pedro Mojarro , 32 , who came from his home in South Gate late Friday to stand outside his burger restaurant and plead with protesters not to damage it .
“ We ’ re with you — I ’ m not against you , ” he said .
“ If you need to protest , go do it in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them.
” Mojarro was still outside D-town Burger Bros Los Angeles , near 6th and Spring streets , with one of his employees at 2 a.m. Saturday , the two of them taking video as protesters ran up and down the street , smashing things .
“ I ’ m just a business owner trying to survive , ” he said .
For those driving through downtown , the chaos meant getting trapped .
Among the drivers who found himself between demonstrators and police was Billy Sweezer , 31 , of Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to meet a date when he found himself in the middle of the chaos .
He was angry at both sides .
“ This is retarded , ” he yelled before screaming at police officers who were moving on the crowd .
Others were also left dismayed .
Bruce Gantt , 64 , watched as a row of police cruisers with their red and blue lights and sirens on sped along Temple Street .
Seconds later , there were loud bangs as officers fired non-lethal ammunition at protesters a street over .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ When will they learn.
” Others didn ’ t know when it would end .
Even after police swept through , people remained on the street .
Some set off firecrackers .
Cars did doughnuts at intersections .
Ana Pepe , 68 , who lives between Broadway and Spring , came out around midnight and walked her dogs because they had been indoors all day .
Looking at broken windows and graffiti , Pepe said she didn ’ t agree with what occurred in her neighborhood .
“ Half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live here .
They ’ re just here to destroy things , ” she said .
“ This doesn ’ t help their cause .
”

An injured man gets up with the help of emergency workers during a protest May 27 in downtown L.A. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
A protester lies hurt on the 101 Freeway near downtown Los Angeles on May 27. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
During a May 29 protest, Los Angeles police patrol the 110 after having moved protesters off the freeway. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Police officers assume a defensive stance as a protester approaches them on the 110 Freeway on May 29. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters climb over a barrier during the May 29 protest in downtown L.A. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
A protester is escorted off the northbound 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters are escorted off the northbound 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters take to the streets Friday in downtown L.A. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters are arrested by Los Angeles police in front of City Hall on Saturday. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
A protester remains defiant after being pushed to the ground by police on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Police fire percussion rounds to clear protesters from Grand Avenue in in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters gather around a fire in the middle of a downtown L.A. street on Friday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
A person carries items from a looted store in the Fairfax District on Saturday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
People walk away with surfboards in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
A protester is treated after being struck by a rubber bullet. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Police and protesters face off in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Cecelia Rosales, who said she was homeless, walks past a line of police officers in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Sake House employee Jared Settles can’t bear to watch as the restaurant burns in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Santa Monica stores were the target of looting on Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters face off with police in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Gilbert Haro and sons Richard, 8, and James, 6, help clean up in Santa Monica. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Volunteers help clean up the mess left by looters in Long Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
People out after curfew are arrested Monday at Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Arrests are made of those out after curfew in Hollywood. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
An LAPD officer arrests a suspected looter in an alley behind a Hollywood Boulevard store. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
AJ Lovelace, director and writer, tries to stop looters from breaking into a Walgreens in Hollywood. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A watch and jewelry store is looted in Van Nuys on Monday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
Fireworks thrown by a protester explode at the feet of Riverside police. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
An LAPD officer arrests a looting suspect in an alley behind a Hollywood Boulevard store. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A demonstrator, injured while trying to flee the firing of nonlethal rounds, lies on the ground in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Demonstrators in Riverside retreat as county sheriff’s deputies fire nonlethal rounds on Monday after law enforcement announced an unlawful assembly. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
AJ Lovelace, a director and writer, and others keep potential looters from entering a dry cleaning store as they attempt to march peacefully. “We need peace and we need someone to talk to each other,” he said after the looters fled the scene. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Khalil Mitchell speaks to protesters kneeling near a police line, preaching calm and working to preserve a peaceful protest on Monday. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
LAPD Cmdr. Gerald Woodyard takes a knee with protesters and L.A. clergy during a march in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times)
Thousands of protesters march down Spring Street in Los Angeles Wednesday night to demonstrate for justice in the killing of George Floyd. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
A protester confronts National Guardsmen as thousands of protesters march down Spring Street in Los Angeles to demonstrate for justice in the George Floyd murder by cop case Wednesday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Protestors turn on their cell phone flashlights at Los Angeles City Hall at 9 pm on Wednesday as part of a silent protest against the death of George Floyd. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Protesters stand on top of a bus stop at the Los Angeles Civic Center to demonstrate for justice Wednesday night. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
In the heart of downtown Los Angeles’ loft district, which before the coronavirus bustled with restaurants and other shops, the scene was chaotic and surreal at midnight.
Hours after what began as a peaceful protest of the killing of George Floyd began in downtown, the situation took a dark turn. Los Angeles police repeatedly clashed with protesters as they tried to push them south from City Hall.
Then, some people in the crowd began vandalizing buildings and looting some businesses. One man threw a scooter into a plate-glass window of a business.
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Some jewelry stores were looted, and one person handed a handful of jewels to a reporter on the street. Jewelry display cases lay nearby.
A Starbucks on Spring Street was thrashed, its windows broken, merchandise taken and furniture tossed onto the street.
Nearby, a CVS pharmacy was broken into and a stream of people went inside, returning to the street with items.
Someone ran up to me and just gave me all this jewelry that had been stolen from the jewelry stores on Broadway. pic.twitter.com/1LvIkKxh45 — Ruben Vives (@LATvives) May 30, 2020
Many storefronts as well as police cars were marked up with graffiti. Slogans included, “End Racism,” “Brown Power Unite” and “Keep Social Distancing Rioting,” as well as many attacks on police. There were screams of “Anarchy.”
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Most businesses were empty. But a few owners rushed to their shops in hopes of protecting them from looting, including Pedro Mojarro, 32, who came from his home in South Gate late Friday to stand outside his burger restaurant and plead with protesters not to damage it.
“We’re with you — I’m not against you,” he said. “If you need to protest, go do it in front of the police station. Be angry at them.”
Mojarro was still outside D-town Burger Bros Los Angeles, near 6th and Spring streets, with one of his employees at 2 a.m. Saturday, the two of them taking video as protesters ran up and down the street, smashing things.
“I’m just a business owner trying to survive,” he said.
For those driving through downtown, the chaos meant getting trapped.
Among the drivers who found himself between demonstrators and police was Billy Sweezer, 31, of Los Angeles. He said he was on his way to meet a date when he found himself in the middle of the chaos. He was angry at both sides.
“This is retarded,” he yelled before screaming at police officers who were moving on the crowd.
Others were also left dismayed.
Bruce Gantt, 64, watched as a row of police cruisers with their red and blue lights and sirens on sped along Temple Street. Seconds later, there were loud bangs as officers fired non-lethal ammunition at protesters a street over.
“This is all depressing,” he said. “When will they learn.”
Others didn’t know when it would end. Even after police swept through, people remained on the street. Some set off firecrackers. Cars did doughnuts at intersections.
Ana Pepe, 68, who lives between Broadway and Spring, came out around midnight and walked her dogs because they had been indoors all day.
Looking at broken windows and graffiti, Pepe said she didn’t agree with what occurred in her neighborhood.
“Half of these people don’t even live here. They’re just here to destroy things,” she said. “This doesn’t help their cause.”


latimes--2020-05-29--O.C. health officer receives threats over face covering mandate

Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Michelle Steel condemned what she deemed to be a death threat against County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick this week .
Quick recently drew ire from some residents over her health order mandating that people wear cloth face coverings while in public .
Several residents spoke angrily against the order during public comments at Tuesday ’ s Board of Supervisors meeting .
One woman , who identified herself as an attorney , disparaged Quick ’ s experience in the medical field and read her home address aloud , saying she planned to take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ do calisthenics in masks on her front doorstep ” in an attempt to prove that face coverings are unsafe .
The woman echoed what other critics have said about face coverings posing a danger to people ’ s oxygen levels .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has previously said that children younger than 2 and anyone with a breathing issue should not wear a face covering .
“ When people start dropping like flies , and they will , I am going to ask every first responder in a 30-mile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her front door and you had best pray they can revive whoever went down because if they can ’ t … I will be asking the O.C .
D.A.
’ s office to charge it as murder , ” she said .
Later in Tuesday ’ s meeting , Steel announced that Quick , who had joined the meeting via phone , had ended the call because one of the speakers had announced her home address .
“ No one deserves to be threatened or intimidated the way she was , ” Steel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I strongly condemn this behavior and it should never happen again.
” Orange County Sheriff ’ s Department officials said Quick has received several threats and has expressed concern for her safety .
“ We have been in touch with her and are working to address those safety concerns , ” said Carrie Braun , a spokeswoman for the Sheriff ’ s Department .
Orange County ’ s sheriff previously said that his department had no intention of enforcing residents ’ face covering use .
“ We are not the mask police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mask police , ” Sheriff Don Barnes told the county Board of Supervisors .
“ I think what we have seen repeatedly throughout the community is Orange County residents acting responsibly.
” On Friday , Orange County confirmed 145 additional COVID-19 cases and three more deaths , bringing the county ’ s death toll to 185 and the total number of infections to more than 5,900 .
The number marks the county ’ s highest reported count since Saturday ’ s 175 .
About 255 individuals are hospitalized in the county , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities most affected by the virus have been Santa Ana and Anaheim — the county ’ s most populous areas .
Each has reported more than 1,000 cases , as other areas have ranged between 100 and 300 , or far less .

Dawn Krawczyk, a sales floor manager at Yuba Blue, a women’s clothing store in Grass Valley, uses steam to disinfect a romper before placing it back on the rack.
Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Michelle Steel condemned what she deemed to be a death threat against County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick this week.
Quick recently drew ire from some residents over her health order mandating that people wear cloth face coverings while in public. Several residents spoke angrily against the order during public comments at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
One woman, who identified herself as an attorney, disparaged Quick’s experience in the medical field and read her home address aloud, saying she planned to take a group to Quick’s home and “do calisthenics in masks on her front doorstep” in an attempt to prove that face coverings are unsafe.
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The woman echoed what other critics have said about face coverings posing a danger to people’s oxygen levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has previously said that children younger than 2 and anyone with a breathing issue should not wear a face covering.
“When people start dropping like flies, and they will, I am going to ask every first responder in a 30-mile radius to roll lights and sirens to her front door and you had best pray they can revive whoever went down because if they can’t … I will be asking the O.C. D.A.’s office to charge it as murder,” she said.
Later in Tuesday’s meeting, Steel announced that Quick, who had joined the meeting via phone, had ended the call because one of the speakers had announced her home address.
“No one deserves to be threatened or intimidated the way she was,” Steel said during a media briefing Thursday. “I strongly condemn this behavior and it should never happen again.”
Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials said Quick has received several threats and has expressed concern for her safety.
“We have been in touch with her and are working to address those safety concerns,” said Carrie Braun, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Department.
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Orange County’s sheriff previously said that his department had no intention of enforcing residents’ face covering use.
“We are not the mask police — nor do I intend to be the mask police,” Sheriff Don Barnes told the county Board of Supervisors. “I think what we have seen repeatedly throughout the community is Orange County residents acting responsibly.”
On Friday, Orange County confirmed 145 additional COVID-19 cases and three more deaths, bringing the county’s death toll to 185 and the total number of infections to more than 5,900.
The number marks the county’s highest reported count since Saturday’s 175.
About 255 individuals are hospitalized in the county, including 98 in intensive care.
The cities most affected by the virus have been Santa Ana and Anaheim — the county’s most populous areas. Each has reported more than 1,000 cases, as other areas have ranged between 100 and 300, or far less.
Case count by city and population:


latimes--2020-05-29--Looting, vandalism across downtown L.A. as protesters, police clash

Protesters demonstrating against the clashed for hours with police on the streets of downtown Los Angeles , blocking the 110 Freeway , damaging cars and property and getting into a series of tense altercations with officers .
Looting and vandalism were reported across the area early Saturday as police tried to push out the demonstrators , many of whom were arrested and hustled off in buses .
At least four LAPD officers were hurt , some after being hit by debris .
Fireworks were set off in the streets , the sparks hitting buildings .
Smoke filled the air as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off with tennis shoes , clothing and electronic items such as television screens and speakers .
Looted jewelry lay scattered on the sidewalk and in the road , with some people stopping to scoop some of it up and others distributing it to bystanders .
Buildings were spray-painted with profanity and anti-police statements as well as Floyd ’ s dying plea as he lay pinned to the ground by a Minneapolis police officer : “ I can ’ t breathe.
” Along 6th Street , between Spring and Broadway , residents watched the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sometimes egging demonstrators on as they drank beer and took video footage of the chaos .
Some pleaded with demonstrators not to damage their cars parked on the street .
One local business owner , Pedro Mojarro , stood outside his burger eatery to protect it .
Mojarro , 32 , said he supported the demonstrators but was upset that they were targeting businesses like his .
“ We ’ re with you — I ’ m not against you .
If you need to protest , go do it in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at them , ” Mojarro said , adding : “ I ’ m just a business owner trying to survive.
” The situation had deteriorated around midnight as several jewelry stores were broken into and looted along with a CVS drugstore .
A nearby Whole Foods Market was damaged .
One person threw a scooter into a plate-glass window at one business , while another person offered a reporter a handful of jewelry on the street .
Police said there were numerous burglaries by “ opportunists ” not necessarily connected with the original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ march on City Hall and Los Angeles Police Department headquarters .
“ I think when we hit daylight we will see the destruction .
We lost at least two police vehicles to fire , ” said LAPD Assistant Chief Robert Arcos .
A Starbucks on Spring Street was vandalized , its windows smashed and painted with slogans such as “ End Racism ” and “ Brown Power Unite.
” Furniture from the store was thrown onto the street .
One businesses on 6th Street sported a signed that read “ Black owned.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it were broken .
Some trash cans were set on fire , and protesters set some debris on fire on at least one street .
A video showed an LAPD vehicle burning on Figueroa Street .
Police had declared an unlawful assembly about 9:30 p.m. Friday for a large swath of downtown L.A. from the 10 Freeway to the 101 , and the 110 Freeway to Alameda Street .
“ This is being made following repeated acts of violence and property damage .
Residents should stay inside .
Businesses should close .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area , ” the LAPD said on Twitter .
The demonstration began about 4 p.m. Friday when marchers moved through downtown Los Angeles and into the Staples Center area , chanting , “ I can ’ t breathe ” and “ No justice , no peace.
” Then some members of the group went onto an onramp to the 110 Freeway and temporarily blocked traffic , waving signs and chanting at stopped motorists .
The protest started peacefully .
But the situation grew more tense and violent as night fell , and worsened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were also left dismayed .
Bruce Gantt , 64 , watched as a row of police cruisers with their red and blue lights and sirens on sped along Temple Street .
Seconds later , there were loud bangs as officers fired non-lethal ammunition at protesters a street over .
“ This is all depressing , ” he said .
“ When will they learn.
” Ana Pepe , 68 , who lives between Broadway and Spring , came out about midnight and walked her dogs because they had been indoors all day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pepe said she didn ’ t agree with what had occurred in her neighborhood .
“ Half of these people don ’ t even live here .
They ’ re just here to destroy things , ” she said .
“ This doesn ’ t help their cause.
” TV footage showed police officers clashing with some protesters suspected of vandalizing a patrol car .
Video also showed some protesters throwing debris and a trash can during tussles with officers .
Police repeatedly fired less-than-lethal weapons into the ground after some officers got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marchers had gone past LAPD headquarters earlier Friday before converging on the steps of City Hall .
Police then began making arrests at City Hall while pushing other demonstrators down Spring Street .
At times , protesters threw objects at officers .
“ We respect every Angeleno ’ s right to protest , but violence and vandalism hurts all , ” he said on Twitter on Friday evening .
“ Let ’ s remember why we march , protect each other , and bring a peaceful end to a painful night.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck earlier this week , has sparked protests across the country .
On Wednesday night , demonstrators briefly shut down the 101 Freeway in the L.A. civic center .
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore tweeted , “ In response to recent demonstrations , we stand with our community and rebuke any instance of police brutality .
No one despises a bad cop more than a good cop.
” He added : “ However , as we continue to facilitate spontaneous and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has no place here in L.A. ” In Northern California , protesters in San Jose temporarily shut down the 101 Freeway .
Another group shut down the 880 Freeway in Oakland .
Marchers also took to the streets in San Francisco .
Hundreds of demonstrators began marching at San Jose City Hall on Friday before running onto the 101 Freeway at Santa Clara Street .
They briefly blocked freeway traffic before returning to downtown San Jose .
“ One of our officers was injured and transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tepoorten said in an emailed statement .
“ We do not have all the details at this time.
” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said he understood the anger but urged peaceful protests .
“ Anger and peaceful protest will always be appropriate responses to injustice ; violence will never be , ” Liccardo tweeted on Friday afternoon .
“ San Jose is united in outrage over the atrocious crime committed in Minneapolis and in sadness over George Floyd ’ s horrible death.
” Elsewhere in Southern California , nine people were arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That event , which started in the 8400 block of Sierra Avenue about 6 p.m. , initially involved about 50 demonstrators but grew to include about 100 , police said in a news release .
Protesters blocked traffic and threw rocks at the windows of businesses and passing vehicles , according to investigators .
Some windows at Fontana City Hall were damaged , police said .
Police declared the protest an unlawful assembly and ordered the demonstrators to disperse about 9 p.m .
Some of the protesters refused and threw rocks at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies for help , police said .
It took officers more than an hour to break up the crowd , and nine people were arrested on suspicion of various offenses , police said .
There was no immediate word on what charges they might face .
In lobbed bottles , trampled a perimeter fence , broke windows and overran a police station .
Crowds continued to ransack the station , burn cars and fire guns into the air early Friday .
Floyd ’ s deadly encounter with police began Monday night after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterfeit $ 20 bill at a grocery store .
Cellphone video of Floyd ’ s arrest outside the business shows Officer Derek Chauvin driving his knee into the 46-year-old ’ s neck as Floyd pleads that he can ’ t breathe .
After several minutes , Floyd appears to lose consciousness , and a bystander can be heard yelling that Floyd ’ s nose is bleeding .
Even as paramedics arrive to check Floyd ’ s pulse , Chauvin ’ s knee remains positioned on the man ’ s neck .
Chauvin was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
The killing has been condemned by leaders of some of the largest police departments in the U.S .

Ruben Vives, Andrew J. Campa, Monte Morin, Tania Ganguli, Richard Winton

Protesters demonstrating against the killing of George Floyd clashed for hours with police on the streets of downtown Los Angeles, blocking the 110 Freeway, damaging cars and property and getting into a series of tense altercations with officers. Looting and vandalism were reported across the area early Saturday as police tried to push out the demonstrators, many of whom were arrested and hustled off in buses.
At least four LAPD officers were hurt, some after being hit by debris.
Fireworks were set off in the streets, the sparks hitting buildings. Smoke filled the air as some people broke into shops, making off with tennis shoes, clothing and electronic items such as television screens and speakers. Looted jewelry lay scattered on the sidewalk and in the road, with some people stopping to scoop some of it up and others distributing it to bystanders.
Buildings were spray-painted with profanity and anti-police statements as well as Floyd’s dying plea as he lay pinned to the ground by a Minneapolis police officer: “I can’t breathe.”
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Along 6th Street, between Spring and Broadway, residents watched the action below from their lofts and apartments, sometimes egging demonstrators on as they drank beer and took video footage of the chaos. Some pleaded with demonstrators not to damage their cars parked on the street.
One local business owner, Pedro Mojarro, stood outside his burger eatery to protect it. Mojarro, 32, said he supported the demonstrators but was upset that they were targeting businesses like his.
“We’re with you — I’m not against you. If you need to protest, go do it in front of the police station. Be angry at them,” Mojarro said, adding: “I’m just a business owner trying to survive.”
The situation had deteriorated around midnight as several jewelry stores were broken into and looted along with a CVS drugstore. A nearby Whole Foods Market was damaged. One person threw a scooter into a plate-glass window at one business, while another person offered a reporter a handful of jewelry on the street.
Police said there were numerous burglaries by “opportunists” not necessarily connected with the original protest that began Friday afternoon with a march on City Hall and Los Angeles Police Department headquarters.
“I think when we hit daylight we will see the destruction. We lost at least two police vehicles to fire,” said LAPD Assistant Chief Robert Arcos.
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A Starbucks on Spring Street was vandalized, its windows smashed and painted with slogans such as “End Racism” and “Brown Power Unite.” Furniture from the store was thrown onto the street.
One business on 6th Street sported a signed that read “Black owned.” The windows of the salon next to it were broken.
Some trash cans were set on fire, and protesters set some debris on fire on at least one street. A video showed an LAPD vehicle burning on Figueroa Street.
1 / 81 Protesters stand on top of a burned LAPD cruiser. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 81 Protesters stand on top of a bus stop at the Los Angeles Civic Center to demonstrate for justice Wednesday night. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 81 Protestors turn on their cell phone flashlights at Los Angeles City Hall at 9 pm on Wednesday as part of a silent protest against the death of George Floyd. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 81 A protester confronts National Guardsmen as thousands of protesters march down Spring Street in Los Angeles to demonstrate for justice in the George Floyd murder by cop case Wednesday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 81 Protesters dance on Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles Wednesday night. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 6 / 81 Thousands of protesters march down Spring Street in Los Angeles Wednesday night to demonstrate for justice in the killing of George Floyd. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 81 LAPD Cmdr. Gerald Woodyard takes a knee with protesters and L.A. clergy during a march in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 81 Khalil Mitchell speaks to protesters kneeling near a police line, preaching calm and working to preserve a peaceful protest on Monday. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) 9 / 81 In Hollywood, hundreds of protesters march Monday against police brutality. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 81 AJ Lovelace, a director and writer, and others keep potential looters from entering a dry cleaning store as they attempt to march peacefully. “We need peace and we need someone to talk to each other,” he said after the looters fled the scene. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) 11 / 81 Demonstrators in Riverside retreat as county sheriff’s deputies fire nonlethal rounds on Monday after law enforcement announced an unlawful assembly. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 81 Protesters in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 81 An arrest in Hollywood during a protest Monday. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 81 A demonstrator, injured while trying to flee the firing of nonlethal rounds, lies on the ground in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 81 An LAPD officer arrests a looting suspect in an alley behind a Hollywood Boulevard store. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 81 Riverside County deputies advance on demonstrators on Monday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 81 Fireworks thrown by a protester explode at the feet of Riverside police. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 81 Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco takes a knee with demonstrators. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 81 A watch and jewelry store is looted in Van Nuys on Monday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 81 A looting arrest in Van Nuys. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 81 AJ Lovelace, director and writer, tries to stop looters from breaking into a Walgreens in Hollywood. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 81 An LAPD officer arrests a suspected looter in an alley behind a Hollywood Boulevard store. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 81 Police advance on a line of protesters in Hollywood, firing rubber bullets. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 81 Arrests are made of those out after curfew in Hollywood. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 81 Protesters in Hollywood. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 81 A store is looted in Hollywood. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 81 Protesters in Hollywood. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 81 People out after curfew are arrested Monday at Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 81 Arrests in Hollywood. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 81 Protests in Westwood. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 81 Volunteers help clean up the mess left by looters in Long Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 81 Protest in Hollywood. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 81 National Guardsmen outside Santa Monica Place. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 81 Gilbert Haro and sons Richard, 8, and James, 6, help clean up in Santa Monica. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 81 Protesters face off with police in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 81 Santa Monica stores were the target of looting on Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 81 Suspected looters in custody in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 81 L.A. County sheriff’s deputies in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 81 Sake House employee Jared Settles can’t bear to watch as the restaurant burns in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 81 An arrest in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 81 Broken glass from a looted store covers the sidewalk in Santa Monica. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 81 Cecelia Rosales, who said she was homeless, walks past a line of police officers in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 81 A man guards a convenience store in Santa Monica. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 81 Looting erupted Sunday in Long Beach. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 81 Police and protesters face off in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 81 A police officer inspects the damage to a Santa Monica supermarket. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 81 A protester is treated after being struck by a rubber bullet. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 81 Looting in Long Beach on Sunday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 81 Looting in Long Beach. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 81 A suspected looter in Long Beach. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 81 Smashing windows in Santa Monica. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 52 / 81 An arrest in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 81 People walk away with surfboards in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 81 People rush out of a looted store in Santa Monica. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 81 Protesters in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 81 Cheers for protesters in downtown Los Angeles. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 81 City Hall on Sunday. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) 58 / 81 A shattered storefront on Melrose Avenue on Sunday. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 81 Smashed windows on La Cienega Boulevard. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 81 Downtown L.A. on Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 61 / 81 People carry merchandise from a looted store. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 62 / 81 A person carries items from a looted store in the Fairfax District on Saturday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 63 / 81 A couple of protesters embrace on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 64 / 81 People protest Saturday at Pan Pacific Park. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times) 65 / 81 Protesters gather around a fire in the middle of a downtown L.A. street on Friday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 66 / 81 Police fire percussion rounds to clear protesters from Grand Avenue in in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 67 / 81 A protester remains defiant after being pushed to the ground by police on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 68 / 81 Protesters are arrested by Los Angeles police in front of City Hall on Saturday. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 69 / 81 Protesters block the 110 Freeway. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 70 / 81 Protesters take to the streets Friday in downtown L.A. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 71 / 81 Protesters are escorted off the northbound 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 72 / 81 A protester is escorted off the northbound 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 73 / 81 Protesters climb over a barrier during the May 29 protest in downtown L.A. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 74 / 81 Protesters block the 110 Freeway northbound and southbound in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 75 / 81 Police officers assume a defensive stance as a protester approaches them on the 110 Freeway on May 29. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 76 / 81 During a May 29 protest, Los Angeles police patrol the 110 after having moved protesters off the freeway. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 77 / 81 A protester rides a skateboard on the 110 Freeway. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 78 / 81 Protesters block the 110 Freeway northbound and southbound in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 79 / 81 A protester confronts LAPD officers on Friday in downtown L.A. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 80 / 81 A protester lies hurt on the 101 Freeway near downtown Los Angeles on May 27. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times) 81 / 81 An injured man gets up with the help of emergency workers during a protest May 27 in downtown L.A. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
Police had declared an unlawful assembly about 9:30 p.m. Friday for a large swath of downtown L.A. from the 10 Freeway to the 101, and the 110 Freeway to Alameda Street.
“This is being made following repeated acts of violence and property damage. Residents should stay inside. Businesses should close. Those on the street are to leave the area,” the LAPD said on Twitter.
The demonstration began about 4 p.m. Friday when marchers moved through downtown Los Angeles and into the Staples Center area, chanting, “I can’t breathe” and “No justice, no peace.” Then some members of the group went onto an onramp to the 110 Freeway and temporarily blocked traffic, waving signs and chanting at stopped motorists.
The protest started peacefully. But the situation grew more tense and violent as night fell, and worsened as the hours went on.
“L.A. failed tonight,” LAPD Chief Michel Moore told reporters at around 11 p.m.
Others were also left dismayed. Bruce Gantt, 64, watched as a row of police cruisers with their red and blue lights and sirens on sped along Temple Street. Seconds later, there were loud bangs as officers fired non-lethal ammunition at protesters a street over.
“This is all depressing,” he said. “When will they learn.”
Ana Pepe, 68, who lives between Broadway and Spring, came out about midnight and walked her dogs because they had been indoors all day. Looking at broken windows and graffiti, Pepe said she didn’t agree with what had occurred in her neighborhood.
“Half of these people don’t even live here. They’re just here to destroy things,” she said. “This doesn’t help their cause.”
TV footage showed police officers clashing with some protesters suspected of vandalizing a patrol car. Video also showed some protesters throwing debris and a trash can during tussles with officers.
Police repeatedly fired less-than-lethal weapons into the ground after some officers got into a struggle with demonstrators.
The marchers had gone past LAPD headquarters earlier Friday before converging on the steps of City Hall. Police then began making arrests at City Hall while pushing other demonstrators down Spring Street. At times, protesters threw objects at officers.
× Protesters took to the streets in Los Angeles for the third night in a row following the killing of George Floyd.
Mayor Eric Garcetti urged peaceful protest.
“We respect every Angeleno’s right to protest, but violence and vandalism hurts all,” he said on Twitter on Friday evening. “Let’s remember why we march, protect each other, and bring a peaceful end to a painful night.”
The killing of Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck earlier this week, has sparked protests across the country. On Wednesday night, demonstrators briefly shut down the 101 Freeway in the L.A. civic center.
Protestors in DTLA pic.twitter.com/4OleYQRj4t — Kelcie Pegher (@klcpegher) May 30, 2020
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore tweeted, “In response to recent demonstrations, we stand with our community and rebuke any instance of police brutality. No one despises a bad cop more than a good cop.”
He added: “However, as we continue to facilitate spontaneous and planned protests, violence or property damage has no place here in L.A.”
In Northern California, protesters in San Jose temporarily shut down the 101 Freeway. Another group shut down the 880 Freeway in Oakland. Marchers also took to the streets in San Francisco.
Hundreds of demonstrators began marching at San Jose City Hall on Friday before running onto the 101 Freeway at Santa Clara Street. They briefly blocked freeway traffic before returning to downtown San Jose.
“One of our officers was injured and transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,” San Jose Police Officer Gina Tepoorten said in an emailed statement. “We do not have all the details at this time.”
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said he understood the anger but urged peaceful protests.
“Anger and peaceful protest will always be appropriate responses to injustice; violence will never be,” Liccardo tweeted on Friday afternoon. “San Jose is united in outrage over the atrocious crime committed in Minneapolis and in sadness over George Floyd’s horrible death.”
Elsewhere in Southern California, nine people were arrested Thursday night at a protest in Fontana.
That event, which started in the 8400 block of Sierra Avenue about 6 p.m., initially involved about 50 demonstrators but grew to include about 100, police said in a news release.
Protesters blocked traffic and threw rocks at the windows of businesses and passing vehicles, according to investigators. Some windows at Fontana City Hall were damaged, police said.
Police declared the protest an unlawful assembly and ordered the demonstrators to disperse about 9 p.m. Some of the protesters refused and threw rocks at officers, prompting them to ask other agencies for help, police said.
It took officers more than an hour to break up the crowd, and nine people were arrested on suspicion of various offenses, police said. There was no immediate word on what charges they might face.
Protesters are escorted off the northbound 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
In Minneapolis, protesters lobbed bottles, trampled a perimeter fence, broke windows and overran a police station. Crowds continued to ransack the station, burn cars and fire guns into the air early Friday.
Floyd’s deadly encounter with police began Monday night after he was accused of trying to use a counterfeit $20 bill at a grocery store.
Cellphone video of Floyd’s arrest outside the business shows Officer Derek Chauvin driving his knee into the 46-year-old’s neck as Floyd pleads that he can’t breathe. After several minutes, Floyd appears to lose consciousness, and a bystander can be heard yelling that Floyd’s nose is bleeding. Even as paramedics arrive to check Floyd’s pulse, Chauvin’s knee remains positioned on the man’s neck.
Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter on Friday.


latimes--2020-05-29--Supreme Court rejects challenge to California limits on church crowds during pandemic

A sharply divided Supreme Court on Friday rejected a challenge to California ’ s limits on large church gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic , dismissing an appeal brought by a San Diego-area church that argued state rules infringed on its religious freedom .
The justices by 5-4 vote said California could enforce its rules , at least for now .
Chief Justice John G. Roberts joined the court ’ s four liberal justices in upholding the state ’ s rules .
“ The precise question of when restrictions on particular social activities should be lifted during the pandemic is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disagreement .
Our Constitution principally entrusts ‘ the safety and the health of the people ’ to the politically accountable officials of the states ‘ to guard and protect , ’ ” Roberts wrote .
“ California ’ s latest safety guidelines discriminate against places of worship and in favor of comparable secular businesses .
Such discrimination violates the 1st Amendment , ” he said .
“ California already trusts its residents and any number of businesses to adhere to proper social distancing and hygiene practices , ” he said .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people go to worship but assume the best when people go to work or go about the rest of their daily lives in permitted social settings.
” Justice Samuel A. Alito also said he would have granted the church ’ s appeal .
The court ’ s decision may blunt a drive by religious conservatives to enlist judges to reopen churches and to free religious gatherings from state limits on indoor crowds .
Lawyers for the church argued that the 1st Amendment ’ s protection of the “ free exercise ” of religion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church services or limit their attendance , particularly if it was allowing businesses — from factories to grocery stores — to remain open .
President Trump took up their cause a week ago .
He said churches and other houses of worship should be deemed “ essential , ” and he asserted he would “ override the governors ” if they failed to allow religious institutions to fully open .
The president does not have direct authority over a state ’ s quarantine measures , but federal judges could override a state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be unconstitutional .
And the Supreme Court , with two Trump appointees , Kavanaugh and Gorsuch , has shown an increasing interest in religious-liberty cases .
But the legal claims tied to the pandemic appear to have fallen short .
Most judges have been reluctant to interfere with health and safety rules that aim to prevent the spread of the virus .
And those rules are changing as states move to reopen .
Those changes may have been crucial in the outcome of the California case .
Late last week , lawyers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chula Vista filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court , seeking an order that would permit a church service on Sunday .
They were contesting California ’ s “ stay-at-home ” regulations that prevented churches , theaters and other gathering places from opening their doors .
But earlier this week , Gov .
Gavin Newsom issued new guidelines that will allow houses of worship to reopen , but with limits on their attendance .
Under the new rules , churches and other faith centers may have no more than 100 people present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 % of the capacity of their building , whichever is smaller .
Earlier Friday , the court unanimously rejected a second and similar appeal that challenged an Illinois regulation that limited churches to having 10 people at a time .
But Gov .
Jay Pritzker already had announced that the regulation would end on Friday .
Lawyers for the churches denounced what they called “ 11th-hour attempts by California and Illinois to moot ” challenges to their laws , and they urged the justices to exempt them from the new restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plaintiff ’ s fundamental constitutional rights , and millions of Americans across the country are still having their constitutional rights trampled upon , ” they said Friday .
The Chula Vista church and Bishop Arthur Hodges III first sought a court order on May 8 that would shield them from the state ’ s restrictions , but they lost before a federal judge in San Diego and by a 2-1 vote in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals .
The appeals court upheld California ’ s rules in a brief decision on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing here with a highly contagious and often fatal disease for which there presently is no known cure , ” wrote Judge Barry Silverman , an appointee of President Clinton .
The dissent came from Judge Daniel P. Collins , a new appointee of Trump ’ s , who noted that factories and warehouses were open and operating while churches were closed .
In its appeal to the Supreme Court , the church urged the justices to act quickly to open services for this Sunday , the “ Christian holy day of Pentecost.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600 persons , and each service normally brings in between 200 and 300 congregants .
Some of the larger houses of worship in California can seat 1,000 congregants or more .
But under California ’ s guidelines , plaintiffs will only be permitted to welcome 100 congregants , with no explanation as to the justification for this arbitrary cap.
” “ In contrast , there is no percentage limitation for manufacturing and warehousing facilities — simply a social distancing requirement , ” the church ’ s lawyers added .
“ California has never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit together indoors for eight hours at a factory or a school , but not for one hour worshiping , provides a ‘ real or substantial ’ benefit to curbing the COVID-19 pandemic , ” they wrote .
Attorneys for California advised the court to dismiss the appeal .
“ Labor in manufacturing facilities , warehouses and offices does not typically involve large numbers of people singing or reading aloud together in the same place , in close proximity to one another , for an extended duration , ” the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings in Sacramento , Seattle , Kentucky and South Korea have been blamed for the early spread of the virus .
Under the new guidelines , the church may hold a worship service on Sunday , and it could accommodate more people by scheduling several services during the day , the state lawyers said .

A sharply divided Supreme Court on Friday rejected a challenge to California’s limits on large church gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, dismissing an appeal brought by a San Diego-area church that argued state rules infringed on its religious freedom.
The justices by 5-4 vote said California could enforce its rules, at least for now. Chief Justice John G. Roberts joined the court’s four liberal justices in upholding the state’s rules.
“The precise question of when restrictions on particular social activities should be lifted during the pandemic is a dynamic and fact-intensive matter subject to reasonable disagreement. Our Constitution principally entrusts ‘the safety and the health of the people’ to the politically accountable officials of the states ‘to guard and protect,’” Roberts wrote.
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Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh wrote a dissent, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil M. Gorsuch.
“California’s latest safety guidelines discriminate against places of worship and in favor of comparable secular businesses. Such discrimination violates the 1st Amendment,” he said.
“California already trusts its residents and any number of businesses to adhere to proper social distancing and hygiene practices,” he said. “The state cannot assume the worst when people go to worship but assume the best when people go to work or go about the rest of their daily lives in permitted social settings.”
Justice Samuel A. Alito also said he would have granted the church’s appeal.
The court’s decision may blunt a drive by religious conservatives to enlist judges to reopen churches and to free religious gatherings from state limits on indoor crowds.
Lawyers for the church argued that the 1st Amendment’s protection of the “free exercise” of religion meant the government could not shut down church services or limit their attendance, particularly if it was allowing businesses — from factories to grocery stores — to remain open.
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President Trump took up their cause a week ago. He said churches and other houses of worship should be deemed “essential,” and he asserted he would “override the governors” if they failed to allow religious institutions to fully open.
The president does not have direct authority over a state’s quarantine measures, but federal judges could override a state’s regulations if they were deemed to be unconstitutional. And the Supreme Court, with two Trump appointees, Kavanaugh and Gorsuch, has shown an increasing interest in religious-liberty cases.
But the legal claims tied to the pandemic appear to have fallen short. Most judges have been reluctant to interfere with health and safety rules that aim to prevent the spread of the virus. And those rules are changing as states move to reopen.
Those changes may have been crucial in the outcome of the California case.
Late last week, lawyers for the South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court, seeking an order that would permit a church service on Sunday. They were contesting California’s “stay-at-home” regulations that prevented churches, theaters and other gathering places from opening their doors.
But earlier this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued new guidelines that will allow houses of worship to reopen, but with limits on their attendance. Under the new rules, churches and other faith centers may have no more than 100 people present at a time or occupy more than 25% of the capacity of their building, whichever is smaller.
Earlier Friday, the court unanimously rejected a second and similar appeal that challenged an Illinois regulation that limited churches to having 10 people at a time. But Gov. Jay Pritzker already had announced that the regulation would end on Friday.
Lawyers for the churches denounced what they called “11th-hour attempts by California and Illinois to moot” challenges to their laws, and they urged the justices to exempt them from the new restrictions on attendance.
“California is still violating plaintiff’s fundamental constitutional rights, and millions of Americans across the country are still having their constitutional rights trampled upon,” they said Friday.
The Chula Vista church and Bishop Arthur Hodges III first sought a court order on May 8 that would shield them from the state’s restrictions, but they lost before a federal judge in San Diego and by a 2-1 vote in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals court upheld California’s rules in a brief decision on May 22.
“We’re dealing here with a highly contagious and often fatal disease for which there presently is no known cure,” wrote Judge Barry Silverman, an appointee of President Clinton.
The dissent came from Judge Daniel P. Collins, a new appointee of Trump’s, who noted that factories and warehouses were open and operating while churches were closed.
In its appeal to the Supreme Court, the church urged the justices to act quickly to open services for this Sunday, the “Christian holy day of Pentecost.” It said the “sanctuary seats 600 persons, and each service normally brings in between 200 and 300 congregants. Some of the larger houses of worship in California can seat 1,000 congregants or more. But under California’s guidelines, plaintiffs will only be permitted to welcome 100 congregants, with no explanation as to the justification for this arbitrary cap.”
“In contrast, there is no percentage limitation for manufacturing and warehousing facilities — simply a social distancing requirement,” the church’s lawyers added. “California has never explained why letting large numbers of people sit together indoors for eight hours at a factory or a school, but not for one hour worshiping, provides a ‘real or substantial’ benefit to curbing the COVID-19 pandemic,” they wrote.
Attorneys for California advised the court to dismiss the appeal.
“Labor in manufacturing facilities, warehouses and offices does not typically involve large numbers of people singing or reading aloud together in the same place, in close proximity to one another, for an extended duration,” the state’s lawyers said. They noted that church gatherings in Sacramento, Seattle, Kentucky and South Korea have been blamed for the early spread of the virus.
Under the new guidelines, the church may hold a worship service on Sunday, and it could accommodate more people by scheduling several services during the day, the state lawyers said.


latimes--2020-05-30--Beverly Hills, West Hollywood prepare for protests, impose curfews

Beverly Hills officials have urged residents to stay indoors in preparation for protests , and West Hollywood ’ s mayor said that city plans to issue a curfew for 8 p.m. through the 5:30 a.m. Beverly Hills is also ordering a curfew .
The moves come as violent protests hit the Fairfax District around the Grove , Farmers Market and CBS Television City .
Beverly Hills officials urged motorists to avoid the city .
Councilwoman Lili Bosse said on her Instagram page that Beverly Hills would also impose a 8 p.m. curfew .
Bosse also said the City Council discussed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a result of the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week , ” she wrote .
“ I want to remind the Beverly Hills community that we are prepared and here for you during these difficult times .
Our police department is prepared and remains committed to providing exceptional service and demonstrating respect to all.
” Some shops on Rodeo Drive have been boarded up .
“ I am asking everyone to stay home , ” Beverly Hills Mayor Les Friedman said .
“ Thousands of protesters marched through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention to the devastating circumstances surrounding the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd .
While most of the protesters were peaceful and there were no injuries , there were multiple incidents of vandalism in the city .
The safety of the Beverly Hills community remains our top priority at all times.
” A tense standoff between police and protesters was underway in the Fairfax District after demonstrators set several Los Angeles Police Department cruisers on fire .
That is east of Beverly Hills and south of West Hollywood .
The group marched past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one point , people tagged a Metro bus and some walls of the Grove with graffiti .
Some demonstrators stood on top of Du-par ’ s restaurant holding banners .
On Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue , a group of protesters crashed with police , throwing debris at them and officers fired less-than-lethal weapons .
The officers retreated from the intersection , and protesters marched down the street , some riding on top of dumpsters .
Some protesters tried to get into CBS Television City but were pushed back by security officers and @ @

People gather near Pan Pacific Park for a Saturday protest set up by Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and Build Power.
Beverly Hills officials have urged residents to stay indoors in preparation for protests, and West Hollywood’s mayor said that city plans to issue a curfew for 8 p.m. through the 5:30 a.m. Beverly Hills is also ordering a curfew.
The moves come as violent protests hit the Fairfax District around the Grove, Farmers Market and CBS Television City.
Beverly Hills officials urged motorists to avoid the city. Councilwoman Lili Bosse said on her Instagram page that Beverly Hills would also impose a 8 p.m. curfew. Bosse also said the City Council discussed the protests Saturday.
“The protests are a result of the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week,” she wrote. “I want to remind the Beverly Hills community that we are prepared and here for you during these difficult times. Our police department is prepared and remains committed to providing exceptional service and demonstrating respect to all.”
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Some shops on Rodeo Drive have been boarded up.
“I am asking everyone to stay home,” Beverly Hills Mayor Les Friedman said. “Thousands of protesters marched through our city streets on Saturday to call attention to the devastating circumstances surrounding the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd. While most of the protesters were peaceful and there were no injuries, there were multiple incidents of vandalism in the city. The safety of the Beverly Hills community remains our top priority at all times.”
California Newsom declares state of emergency in L.A., deploys National Guard After three days of protests, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has requested state troops and imposed a citywide curfew to quell looting, vandalism and violence.
A tense standoff between police and protesters was underway in the Fairfax District after demonstrators set several Los Angeles Police Department cruisers on fire. That is east of Beverly Hills and south of West Hollywood.
The group marched past the Grove and Farmers Market. At one point, people tagged a Metro bus and some walls of the Grove with graffiti. Some demonstrators stood on top of Du-par’s restaurant holding banners.
On Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, a group of protesters crashed with police, throwing debris at them and officers fired less-than-lethal weapons. The officers retreated from the intersection, and protesters marched down the street, some riding on top of dumpsters.
Some protesters tried to get into CBS Television City but were pushed back by security officers and police.
Los Angeles has imposed a curfew for downtown tonight.


latimes--2020-05-30--LAPD cars set on fire near the Grove amid violent clashes between police, protesters in Fairfax Dist

LAPD cars set on fire near the Grove amid violent clashes between police, protesters in Fairfax District

A tense standoff between police and protesters marking the killing of George Floyd was underway in the Fairfax District after demonstrators set several LAPD cruisers on fire .
The group marched past the Grove and Farmers Market .
At one point , some people tagged a Metro bus with graffiti along with some walls of the Grove .
Some demonstrators stood on top of DuPars restaurant holding banners .
Hundreds were now stalled at Third Street just west of Fairfax Avenue , blocked by a row of LAPD officers .
Some protesters vandalized police cars , including breaking windows and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Avenue , a group of protesters crashed with police , throwing debris at them and officers fired less-than-lethal weapons .
The officers retreated from the intersection , and protesters marched down the street , some riding on top of trash dumpsters .
Some protesters tried to get into CBS Television City but we pushed back security officers and police , Protesters spray painted “ Cops and Klan go hand and hand ” along on the side of a Citibank at Fairfax .
Across the street , “ Eat the Rich ” was scrawled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
People climbed up on the roof of the Farmers Market ’ s Starbucks Coffee , while nearby protesters held signs that read , “ Abolish Cops.
” The Grove appeared to be untouched and some people walked through the outdoor mall as they headed away from the crowd .
A woman who gave her name as Tof came upon the protest after doing some shopping in the neighborhood .
Looking down the street , she said peaceful protests hadn ’ t worked in the past .
“ There ’ s no wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We would never do this if they weren ’ t killing us.
” Hopefully , with the afternoon ’ s destruction , “ they will listen.
” Many in the group held their hands up , silently facing the officers .
Loud bangs could be heard , prompting some in the crowd to run down 3rd street and into nearby alleys .
Two protesters said they witnessed officers shooting what looked to be canisters into the ground .
Mayor Eric Garcetti condemned the burning of patrol cars at a press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ There is no good that can come of it , ” he said .
He announced a curfew for downtown tonight but said the new rules would not cover Fairfax or other parts of the city .
To the west , the Beverly Hills Police Department said protesters were now also in that city but few other details were available .
The large crowd at Pan Pacific Park off Beverly Boulevard chanted “ defund police ” and “ prosecute killer cops ” and waved signs at a rally organized by Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PWR .
The rally ’ s speakers called for fewer public dollars for police departments and for schools and prisons to be overhauled .
“ We ’ re living in the middle of an uprising , ” Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors told the group .
“ Let ’ s be clear : We are in an uprising for black life.
” Marsha Steinberg , 76 , who described herself as a longtime activist , was among those who came out for the rally .
“ I was here for Rodney [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who lives in the neighborhood .
“ Nothing has changed.
” “ People have not had an outlet for justice , ” Steinberg said , adding that new district attorneys need to be elected and prosecute cops accused of misconduct .
Alvardo , 21 , lives in Santa Clarita and drove to the L.A. rally because she is “ sick and tired of waking up every morning ” to news about police killings .
“ I can ’ t compare myself to what they ’ re going through , ” she said of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here to support them.
” By 2 p.m. , more than 1,000 marchers made their way from Pan Pacific Park near the Grove shopping center and began marching west down 3rd Street toward Beverly Hills .
Police helicopters whirred overhead , while people standing on the sidewalks cheered on the marchers .
Some marchers chanted “ No Justice , No Peace !
” But overall the crowd was peaceful and there were no acts of violence or vandalism .
Some bystanders even offered bottles of water to the marchers and motorists honked their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minneapolis are part of a movement that has raged across the country in recent days , turning destructive in various cities .
In downtown Los Angeles , the situation deteriorated into vandalism and looting later Friday evening .

A police car burns near Fairfax Avenue and 3rd Street after a demonstration at Pan Pacific Park turned violent Saturday.
A tense standoff between police and protesters marking the killing of George Floyd was underway in the Fairfax District after demonstrators set several LAPD cruisers on fire.
The group marched past the Grove and Farmers Market. At one point, some people tagged a Metro bus with graffiti along with some walls of the Grove. Some demonstrators stood on top of Du-pars restaurant holding banners.
People at a gathering setup by groups Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and Build Power at Pan Pacific Park on Saturday. Protests erupted across the country, with people outraged over the death of George Floyd. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times)
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Hundreds were now stalled at 3rd Street just west of Fairfax Avenue, blocked by a row of LAPD officers. Some protesters vandalized police cars, including breaking windows and tagging. The LAPD issued an unlawful assembly order and told protesters to leave.
On Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, a group of protesters clashed with police, throwing debris at them and officers fired less-than-lethal weapons. The officers retreated from the intersection, and protesters marched down the street, some riding on top of trash dumpsters.
Some protesters tried to get into CBS Television City but were pushed back by security officers and police.
Protesters spray-painted “Cops and Klan go hand in hand” along on the side of a Citibank at Fairfax. Across the street, “Eat the Rich” was scrawled on the Writers Guild of America building.
People climbed up on the roof of the Farmers Market’s Starbucks Coffee, while nearby protesters held signs that read, “Abolish Cops.”
The Grove appeared to be untouched and some people walked through the outdoor mall as they headed away from the crowd.
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A woman who gave her name as Tof came upon the protest after doing some shopping in the neighborhood. Looking down the street, she said peaceful protests hadn’t worked in the past. “There’s no wrong way to protest,” she said. “We would never do this if they weren’t killing us.”
Hopefully, with the afternoon’s destruction, “they will listen.”
People at a gathering setup by groups Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and Build Power at Pan Pacific Park on Saturday. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times)
Many in the group held their hands up, silently facing the officers. Loud bangs could be heard, prompting some in the crowd to run down 3rd street and into nearby alleys. Two protesters said they witnessed officers shooting what looked to be canisters into the ground.
Mayor Eric Garcetti condemned the burning of patrol cars at a press conference and urged protesters to leave the scene,
“There is no good that can come of it,” he said.
He announced a curfew for downtown tonight but said the new rules would not cover Fairfax or other parts of the city.
To the west, the Beverly Hills Police Department said protesters were now also in that city but few other details were available.
Protesters are on the roof of Du-Pars at the Farmers Market. pic.twitter.com/rN0Uzm9zyj — Steve Saldivar (@stevesaldivar) May 30, 2020
The large crowd at Pan Pacific Park off Beverly Boulevard chanted “defund police” and “prosecute killer cops” and waved signs at a rally organized by Black Lives Matter and social justice group BLD PWR.
The rally’s speakers called for fewer public dollars for police departments and for schools and prisons to be overhauled.
“We’re living in the middle of an uprising,” Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors told the group. “Let’s be clear: We are in an uprising for black life.”
Marsha Steinberg, 76, who described herself as a longtime activist, was among those who came out for the rally. “I was here for Rodney [King],” said Steinberg, who lives in the neighborhood. “Nothing has changed.”
The scene outside the Grove pic.twitter.com/cox39mofVJ — Steve Saldivar (@stevesaldivar) May 30, 2020
“People have not had an outlet for justice,” Steinberg said, adding that new district attorneys need to be elected and prosecute cops accused of misconduct.
Isabel Alvardo waved a sign reading “Latinos for Black Lives Matter.”
Alvardo, 21, lives in Santa Clarita and drove to the L.A. rally because she is “sick and tired of waking up every morning” to news about police killings. “I can’t compare myself to what they’re going through,” she said of being black.“But I’m here to support them.”
By 2 p.m., more than 1,000 marchers made their way from Pan Pacific Park near The Grove shopping center and began marching west down 3rd Street toward Beverly Hills.
Police helicopters whirred overhead, while people standing on the sidewalks cheered on the marchers. Some marchers chanted “No Justice, No Peace!”
Smoke and loud bangs. pic.twitter.com/SIIksIygwH — Steve Saldivar (@stevesaldivar) May 30, 2020
But overall the crowd was peaceful and there were no acts of violence or vandalism. Some bystanders even offered bottles of water to the marchers and motorists honked their support.


latimes--2020-05-30--A stunned downtown L.A. surveys damage from looting, vandalism

Along the stretch of shops and tiny restaurants that line Broadway , the sound of pulsating banda music had been replaced by the whirring of power saws and the staccato of hammers pounding plywood as workers hurried to batten down damaged storefronts .
On a normal Saturday the street would be bustling with customers , most chattering away in Spanish .
But this was not a normal Saturday , with a global pandemic and a riot conspiring to keep people away , leaving the streets — and stores — empty .
“ It ’ s not because of this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Fallas Paredes clothing store at 5th Street and Broadway , pulling on his face mask to show he was speaking of COVID-19 .
“ It ’ s because of last night.
” Two women standing on either side nodded in agreement .
On Saturday morning , merchants , workers and residents of downtown surveyed the damage after a night and morning of looting and vandalism in the city center .
Numerous businesses were damaged by the unrest , which lasted hours in the heart of downtown ’ s loft district and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were arrested .
The LAPD spent much of Friday night and Saturday morning trying to clear the streets as people smashed windows , stole items from stores , clashed with police and set items , including at least two LAPD vehicles , on fire .
The protesters demonstrating against the in Minneapolis are part of a movement that has raged across the country in recent days , turning violent in various cities .
In downtown , the situation deteriorated into vandalism and looting later Friday evening .
One local business owner , Pedro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect it .
Mojarro , 32 , said he supported the demonstrators but was upset that they were targeting businesses like his .
“ We ’ re with you — I ’ m not against you .
If you need to protest , go do it in front of the police station .
Be angry at them , ” Mojarro said , adding : “ I ’ m just a business owner trying to survive.
” On Saturday morning , two men shifted through a sacked Verizon store looking for a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been blaring for more than 12 hours .
They got a call from the owner at 8:30 a.m. to go board up the shop .
When they arrived 75 minutes later two of the looters were still inside .
But none of the merchandise was .
“ They were prepared , ” the contractor said over the sound of the alarm .
The looters had crowbars , he said , which they used unsuccessfully on the safe in the back .
They also ripped fixtures off the walls .
A Japanese restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its cabinets were ransacked but little was taken .
“ It ’ s a restaurant , ” said Pedro Perez .
“ What are you going to take ?
” Perez , founder of PRC Restoration , was called out to board up a FedEx store .
When he finished with that , he and his six-person crew began calling the owners of nearby businesses offering help .
Some didn ’ t answer , others weren ’ t aware their properties had been hit .
A couple of hundred yards from Pershing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glass that covered the floor of their Subway dining room .
They had shown up expecting to make sandwiches but now were unsure if they would open .
People carrying brooms and plywood outnumbered people walking dogs around the city center .
And some of the dogs that were out were outfitted with tiny booties on all four paws to protect against the broken glass that dotted most sidewalks .
Near the corner of 5th and Spring streets an LAPD sergeant , his face set on scowl , and his partner stood in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two doors away a baby-faced and frightened guard wearing a camouflaged helmet and ill-fitting camouflage vest over his security guard uniform stood in front of another damaged business .
The night before Jessie Jenie had been a block south , near a Starbucks at the corner of 6th and Spring streets ordering ice cream , when crowds swarmed through the area , breaking every window in the coffee shop .
One looter emerged with a single carton of milk , drinking it as he walked away , Jenie said .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Time to go home , ’ ” said Jenie , who lives nearby .
“ She said , ‘ We ’ re going to go clean up the neighborhood , ’ ” Miko Garcia said .
“ And I listened to her.
” Garcia , clutching a brush broom , then smiled and followed Jenie across the street in search of something to clean up .
They didn ’ t have to search long .

An injured man gets up with the help of emergency workers during a protest May 27 in downtown L.A. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
A protester lies hurt on the 101 Freeway near downtown Los Angeles on May 27. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
During a May 29 protest, Los Angeles police patrol the 110 after having moved protesters off the freeway. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Police officers assume a defensive stance as a protester approaches them on the 110 Freeway on May 29. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters climb over a barrier during the May 29 protest in downtown L.A. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters are arrested by Los Angeles police in front of City Hall on Saturday. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
A protester remains defiant after being pushed to the ground by police on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Police fire percussion rounds to clear protesters from Grand Avenue in in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters gather around a fire in the middle of a downtown L.A. street on Friday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Cecelia Rosales, who said she was homeless, walks past a line of police officers in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Sake House employee Jared Settles can’t bear to watch as the restaurant burns in Santa Monica on Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Gilbert Haro and sons Richard, 8, and James, 6, help clean up in Santa Monica. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Volunteers help clean up the mess left by looters in Long Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
People out after curfew are arrested Monday at Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Arrests are made of those out after curfew in Hollywood. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
AJ Lovelace, director and writer, tries to stop looters from breaking into a Walgreens in Hollywood. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A demonstrator, injured while trying to flee the firing of nonlethal rounds, lies on the ground in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Demonstrators in Riverside retreat as county sheriff’s deputies fire nonlethal rounds on Monday after law enforcement announced an unlawful assembly. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
AJ Lovelace, a director and writer, and others keep potential looters from entering a dry cleaning store as they attempt to march peacefully. “We need peace and we need someone to talk to each other,” he said after the looters fled the scene. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Khalil Mitchell speaks to protesters kneeling near a police line, preaching calm and working to preserve a peaceful protest on Monday. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
LAPD Cmdr. Gerald Woodyard takes a knee with protesters and L.A. clergy during a march in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times)
Thousands of protesters march down Spring Street in Los Angeles Wednesday night to demonstrate for justice in the killing of George Floyd. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
A protester confronts National Guardsmen as thousands of protesters march down Spring Street in Los Angeles to demonstrate for justice in the George Floyd murder by cop case Wednesday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Protestors turn on their cell phone flashlights at Los Angeles City Hall at 9 pm on Wednesday as part of a silent protest against the death of George Floyd. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Protesters stand on top of a bus stop at the Los Angeles Civic Center to demonstrate for justice Wednesday night. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Along the stretch of shops and tiny restaurants that line Broadway, the sound of pulsating banda music had been replaced by the whirring of power saws and the staccato of hammers pounding plywood as workers hurried to batten down damaged storefronts.
On a normal Saturday the street would be bustling with customers, most chattering away in Spanish.
But this was not a normal Saturday, with a global pandemic and a riot conspiring to keep people away, leaving the streets — and stores — empty. “It’s not because of this,” said a man guarding the door to the Fallas Paredes clothing store at 5th Street and Broadway, pulling on his face mask to show he was speaking of COVID-19.
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“It’s because of last night.”
Two women standing on either side nodded in agreement.
On Saturday morning, merchants, workers and residents of downtown surveyed the damage after a night and morning of looting and vandalism in the city center.
Numerous businesses were damaged by the unrest, which lasted hours in the heart of downtown’s loft district and Broadway corridor.
More than 500 people were arrested. The LAPD spent much of Friday night and Saturday morning trying to clear the streets as people smashed windows, stole items from stores, clashed with police and set items, including at least two LAPD vehicles, on fire.
The protesters demonstrating against the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis are part of a movement that has raged across the country in recent days, turning violent in various cities. In downtown, the situation deteriorated into vandalism and looting later Friday evening.
One local business owner, Pedro Mojarro, stood outside his burger restaurant to protect it. Mojarro, 32, said he supported the demonstrators but was upset that they were targeting businesses like his.
“We’re with you — I’m not against you. If you need to protest, go do it in front of the police station. Be angry at them,” Mojarro said, adding: “I’m just a business owner trying to survive.”
On Saturday morning, two men shifted through a sacked Verizon store looking for a way to turn off the alarm, which has been blaring for more than 12 hours.
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They got a call from the owner at 8:30 a.m. to go board up the shop.
When they arrived 75 minutes later two of the looters were still inside. But none of the merchandise was. “They were prepared,” the contractor said over the sound of the alarm.
The looters had crowbars, he said, which they used unsuccessfully on the safe in the back. They also ripped fixtures off the walls.
A Japanese restaurant next door had one plate-glass panel smashed and its cabinets were ransacked but little was taken.
“It’s a restaurant,” said Pedro Perez. “What are you going to take?”
Perez, founder of PRC Restoration, was called out to board up a FedEx store. When he finished with that, he and his six-person crew began calling the owners of nearby businesses offering help. Some didn’t answer, others weren’t aware their properties had been hit.
A couple of hundred yards from Pershing Square, two women swept up broken glass that covered the floor of their Subway dining room. They had shown up expecting to make sandwiches but now were unsure if they would open.
People carrying brooms and plywood outnumbered people walking dogs around the city center. And some of the dogs that were out were outfitted with tiny booties on all four paws to protect against the broken glass that dotted most sidewalks.
Near the corner of 5th and Spring streets an LAPD sergeant, his face set on scowl, and his partner stood in the doorway of a damaged wine bar. Two doors away a baby-faced and frightened guard wearing a camouflaged helmet and ill-fitting camouflage vest over his security guard uniform stood in front of another damaged business.
The night before Jessie Jenie had been a block south, near a Starbucks at the corner of 6th and Spring streets ordering ice cream, when crowds swarmed through the area, breaking every window in the coffee shop. One looter emerged with a single carton of milk, drinking it as he walked away, Jenie said.
“That’s when I was like, ‘Time to go home,’” said Jenie, who lives nearby.
Saturday morning she woke her boyfriend early.
“She said, ‘We’re going to go clean up the neighborhood,’ ” Miko Garcia said. “And I listened to her.”
Garcia, clutching a brush broom, then smiled and followed Jenie across the street in search of something to clean up. They didn’t have to search long.