latimes--2020-06-04--Confusing alerts and nowhere to go: Homeless Angelenos exempt from curfew struggle even more

Last Friday , Maya Johnson , 18 , and her boyfriend Alex Jones , 31 , were returning from a late-night run for burritos to their home — a tent on 1st Street between Spring and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles .
Protests had grown outside of City Hall and the couple , who had not heard about the killing of George Floyd , decided to check out the commotion .
Around 9:30 p.m. the Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly for much of downtown and began pushing the crowd south , away from the City Hall steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones , who have both been homeless for about two years , were arrested and cited for “ failure to obey a lawful order from a peace officer , ” according to a ticket Johnson received .
Jones said they sat zip-tied on the pavement and then on a bus for two hours before being booked shortly after midnight and then released .
They stayed in their tent as fireworks went off all night nearby and protesters and looters passed .
“ I ... just went to go see [ the commotion ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last few days have been very chaotic.
” The Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department said Thursday that it didn ’ t plan another countywide curfew as protests over police brutality and the death of George Floyd continue across Southern California .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said there would be no curfew in the city of Los Angeles either .
But for several days , homeless people throughout the region were put in the uncomfortable position of obeying a curfew when their home is , at best , a tent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already been hard — with social distancing continuing to be a challenge and the lack of access to healthcare ever present .
But Johnson and Jones , along with other homeless people , outreach workers and lawyers , all said the civil unrest of the last week , which triggered curfews throughout the county , made bedding down outside at night even harder .
In Hollywood , the curfews and looting forced stores to close for several days — making it more difficult for homeless people in that neighborhood to buy food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority .
She had been out talking to homeless people and outreach workers earlier this week .
“ It has hurt their ability to access food , ” Marston told The Times earlier this week .
“ People who would go get food or have it brought to them now can ’ t .
So we ’ re trying to give out extra meals .
The county didn ’ t think about that as we thought about curfew and the ending of access to resources.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeless people and is able to source her supplies from supermarkets who give her unsold food .
But she can only pick that stuff up when she gets off work after 6 p.m .
The curfews threw her organization into a state of chaos , although her brother was able to pick up the food on Monday .
“ I didn ’ t want to risk it .
I just wasn ’ t sure what was going on , ” she said .
“ There ’ s just been so much unrest that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police were going to deal with essential workers .
I hate thinking any of them will go hungry .
I always promise I will come through with a meal.
” This week she wasn ’ t able to .
Alerts about the curfews sowed confusion among Angelenos as overlapping jurisdictions gave what seemed like contradictory information about who could still be out after curfew .
Many homeless people don ’ t have phones and had no way of knowing if law enforcement would arrest them .
In any case , they had nowhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how many homeless people may have been arrested for allegedly violating the curfew .
Both the city and county curfews exempted the homeless , although that wasn ’ t necessarily clear in the alerts .
For example , on Monday , the county ’ s notice explicitly exempted the homeless , but the city only specified exemptions for people “ traveling to and from work , seeking or giving emergency care , and emergency responders.
” Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles attorney Shayla Myers said there was a several-hour period Monday when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were allowed to stay on the streets in Los Angeles .
She said there were tens of thousands of people who were affected by the curfew , but may not have been notified , and would have had no way to adhere to it if it hadn ’ t exempted people living on the streets .
“ I think it is enraging and incredibly problematic that all of the stated exemptions are not included in the public notice , ” Myers said .
Johnson has no phone , and she and Jones made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day turned to night last weekend and during this week .
A couple of tents down , Karl Hamilton , received the push alert on his phone and made sure to get food for himself well in advance of the 6 p.m. curfew .
For people with homes , staying indoors is an easier proposition .
Hamilton worries that if he went out even for a moment , the LAPD might arrest him .
“ It ’ s going down right now .
I ’ m obeying the rules and staying in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a large , tightly packed encampment in a plaza at 3rd and Main streets , Tasha Tinsley , 41 , found a sliver of shade to smoke a cigarette in on Wednesday .
Her boyfriend is currently in jail , and she ’ s been sleeping on the streets for several months since coming to Los Angeles from Missouri .
During the unrest over the week , her tent was damaged — the poles that keep it upright were snapped .
She recalled how in recent days , LAPD officers would come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encampment not to leave their tents after curfew .
She has hepatitis C and has been waiting three weeks to get into a hotel room that the county is providing to medically vulnerable and elderly homeless people .
Each day she hopes that will come through .
For two nights , she was able to stay with a friend in Long Beach , but is now back on the street .
“ I am trying to get my business done during the day , ” she said , “ because at night I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Alex Jones, 31, and his girlfriend, Maya Johnson, 18, shown at a homeless encampment near 1st and Spring streets in downtown Los Angeles, were both cited by Los Angeles police Saturday morning during a protest against police brutality.
Last Friday, Maya Johnson, 18, and her boyfriend Alex Jones, 31, were returning from a late-night run for burritos to their home — a tent on 1st Street between Spring and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles.
Protests had grown outside of City Hall and the couple, who had not heard about the killing of George Floyd, decided to check out the commotion. Around 9:30 p.m. the Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly for much of downtown and began pushing the crowd south, away from the City Hall steps.
That’s when Johnson and Jones, who have both been homeless for about two years, were arrested and cited for “failure to obey a lawful order from a peace officer,” according to a ticket Johnson received.
Jones said they sat zip-tied on the pavement and then on a bus for two hours before being booked shortly after midnight and then released. They stayed in their tent as fireworks went off all night nearby and protesters and looters passed.
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“I ... just went to go see [the commotion],” Jones said. “The last few days have been very chaotic.”
Isaac D., right, watches as protestors in the 2nd Street Tunnel in Los Angeles. Homeless are exempt from the curfew in place for the protesters. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Thursday that it didn’t plan another countywide curfew as protests over police brutality and the death of George Floyd continue across Southern California. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said there would be no curfew in the city of Los Angeles either.
But for several days, homeless people throughout the region were put in the uncomfortable position of obeying a curfew when their home is, at best, a tent.
Living on the street during a pandemic had already been hard — with social distancing continuing to be a challenge and the lack of access to healthcare ever present.
But Johnson and Jones, along with other homeless people, outreach workers and lawyers, all said the civil unrest of the last week, which triggered curfews throughout the county, made bedding down outside at night even harder.
In Hollywood, the curfews and looting forced stores to close for several days — making it more difficult for homeless people in that neighborhood to buy food, according to Heidi Marston, interim director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. She had been out talking to homeless people and outreach workers earlier this week.
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Los Angeles police officers rush to arrest dozens of protesters who were violating curfew laws on Broadway on Tuesday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
“It has hurt their ability to access food,” Marston told The Times earlier this week. “People who would go get food or have it brought to them now can’t. So we’re trying to give out extra meals. The county didn’t think about that as we thought about curfew and the ending of access to resources.”
Similarly, Melissa Acedera distributes meals to homeless people and is able to source her supplies from supermarkets who give her unsold food. But she can only pick that stuff up when she gets off work after 6 p.m. The curfews threw her organization into a state of chaos, although her brother was able to pick up the food on Monday.
“I didn’t want to risk it. I just wasn’t sure what was going on,” she said. “There’s just been so much unrest that I wasn’t sure how the police were going to deal with essential workers. I hate thinking any of them will go hungry. I always promise I will come through with a meal.”
This week she wasn’t able to.
Alerts about the curfews sowed confusion among Angelenos as overlapping jurisdictions gave what seemed like contradictory information about who could still be out after curfew. Many homeless people don’t have phones and had no way of knowing if law enforcement would arrest them. In any case, they had nowhere to go.
Eleanor Altamira, right, who is homeless, waits to get back to her tent while two protestors video a protestor who was briefly detained and let go by LAPD. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
It is not clear how many homeless people may have been arrested for allegedly violating the curfew. Both the city and county curfews exempted the homeless, although that wasn’t necessarily clear in the alerts. For example, on Monday, the county’s notice explicitly exempted the homeless, but the city only specified exemptions for people “traveling to and from work, seeking or giving emergency care, and emergency responders.”
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles attorney Shayla Myers said there was a several-hour period Monday when it was not clear whether homeless people were allowed to stay on the streets in Los Angeles. She said there were tens of thousands of people who were affected by the curfew, but may not have been notified, and would have had no way to adhere to it if it hadn’t exempted people living on the streets.
“I think it is enraging and incredibly problematic that all of the stated exemptions are not included in the public notice,” Myers said.
Johnson has no phone, and she and Jones made sure to not leave their tents as day turned to night last weekend and during this week. A couple of tents down, Karl Hamilton received the push alert on his phone and made sure to get food for himself well in advance of the 6 p.m. curfew.
For people with homes, staying indoors is an easier proposition. Hamilton worries that if he went out even for a moment, the LAPD might arrest him.
“It’s going down right now. I’m obeying the rules and staying in this tent.”
Tasha Tinsley, 41, sits next to a friend’s tent at an encampment near 3rd and Main streets in downtown Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
A couple of blocks away at a large, tightly packed encampment in a plaza at 3rd and Main streets, Tasha Tinsley, 41, found a sliver of shade to smoke a cigarette in on Wednesday. Her boyfriend is currently in jail, and she’s been sleeping on the streets for several months since coming to Los Angeles from Missouri.
During the unrest over the week, her tent was damaged — the poles that keep it upright were snapped. She recalled how in recent days, LAPD officers would come by to tell the people in the encampment not to leave their tents after curfew. She has hepatitis C and has been waiting three weeks to get into a hotel room that the county is providing to medically vulnerable and elderly homeless people.
Each day she hopes that will come through. For two nights, she was able to stay with a friend in Long Beach, but is now back on the street.
“I am trying to get my business done during the day,” she said, “because at night I’m not leaving my tent.”


latimes--2020-06-04--'I haven't seen anything like it': Protests spread to unexpected places like Irvine

Peaceful protests continue to spread across the region , drawing a diverse array of people to some places that are not used to political demonstrations .
Moneka Broughton attended a Wednesday night rally in Irvine and said protests like this never would have happened in the city when she was in school in the mid-2000s .
“ I haven ’ t seen anything like this in my 32 years , ” Broughton said of the national movement spurred by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police .
Several dozen protesters gathered on the steps of City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning .
They held signs that read , “ Civil rights are colorblind ” and “ Don ’ t shoot !
” while a small band of musicians played soulful music .
Passing buses honked in support .
Among those gathered was Michael Gonzales , a 24-year-old delivery driver who had finally managed to make it to a protest on his day off .
Wearing a shirt with the words “ Destroy white supremacy , ” Gonzales said he ’ d spent the week posting information on social media about the locations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend even though he could not .
Before coming to L.A. from Covina , he texted a friend who ’ d expressed some doubt about the Floyd protests .
The friend said he felt excluded by the focus on the lives of black people .
“ I said , ‘ This is their fight right now , ’ ” Gonzales said .
“ It ’ s their fight , but it ’ s for everybody .
Police brutality happens to Latinos , Asians too , but right now , it ’ s about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crowd of several dozen protesters gathered outside the North Hollywood police station .
Provvidenza Catalano , 29 , stood by a banner inscribed with the words , “ End white silence.
” She said it was important for her to acknowledge her privilege as a white person .
Over the last week , she ’ s reached out to friends and others to encourage them to engage in the Floyd protests .
“ I see my liberation entwined with black people ’ s liberation , ” she said .
In downtown Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fist into the air and knelt on the grass of Grand Park for eight minutes and 46 seconds — the amount of time Minneapolis Police Officer kept his knee on Floyd ’ s neck .
Once they rose , they bowed their heads in prayer .
“ Heavenly Father , thank you for allowing us to gather peacefully in solidarity for change , ” an organizer said to the crowd .
“ I pray for everyone that ’ s here — that they are covered in peace , that they are covered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous night , while standing in front of hundreds of protesters at the foot of the Irvine Civic Center , Cessa Heard-Johnson raised the bullhorn to her lips and urged the crowd to play a role in the national movement to reform the country ’ s justice system .
“ Don ’ t look for somebody to do something , ” she said .
“ You do something.
” One by one , black community members took turns sharing their stories , each revealing pain , trauma and injustice .
The crowd cheered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many were in awe that a protest like this could happen in conservative Irvine .
Less than 2 % of the city ’ s population is black , and the city ’ s sheltered nature is commonly referred to as the “ Irvine bubble.
” The rally was organized by three teenagers : Ava Hojreh , 19 ; Ida Nariman , 18 ; and Alizah Gomez , 18 .
The women used an Instagram account , , to spread the word .
They said the purpose of the peaceful sit-in was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to reckon with injustice .
“ We wanted to have a productive and educational event , ” Hojreh said .

Peaceful protests continue to spread across the region, drawing a diverse array of people to some places that are not used to political demonstrations.
Moneka Broughton attended a Wednesday night rally in Irvine and said protests like this never would have happened in the city when she was in school in the mid-2000s.
“I haven’t seen anything like this in my 32 years,” Broughton said of the national movement spurred by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
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Several dozen protesters gathered on the steps of City Hall in downtown Los Angeles late Thursday morning.
They held signs that read, “Civil rights are colorblind” and “Don’t shoot!” while a small band of musicians played soulful music. Passing buses honked in support.
Among those gathered was Michael Gonzales, a 24-year-old delivery driver who had finally managed to make it to a protest on his day off.
Wearing a shirt with the words “Destroy white supremacy,” Gonzales said he’d spent the week posting information on social media about the locations and times of protests so that others could attend even though he could not.
Before coming to L.A. from Covina, he texted a friend who’d expressed some doubt about the Floyd protests. The friend said he felt excluded by the focus on the lives of black people.
“I said, ‘This is their fight right now,’” Gonzales said. “It’s their fight, but it’s for everybody. Police brutality happens to Latinos, Asians too, but right now, it’s about black lives.”
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Around 9 a.m., a crowd of several dozen protesters gathered outside the North Hollywood police station. Provvidenza Catalano, 29, stood by a banner inscribed with the words, “End white silence.”
She said it was important for her to acknowledge her privilege as a white person. Over the last week, she’s reached out to friends and others to encourage them to engage in the Floyd protests.
“I see my liberation entwined with black people’s liberation,” she said.
In downtown Los Angeles, more than 100 protesters raised a fist into the air and knelt on the grass of Grand Park for eight minutes and 46 seconds — the amount of time Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck.
Once they rose, they bowed their heads in prayer.
“Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to gather peacefully in solidarity for change,” an organizer said to the crowd. “I pray for everyone that’s here — that they are covered in peace, that they are covered in activism for witnessing injustice.”
The previous night, while standing in front of hundreds of protesters at the foot of the Irvine Civic Center, Cessa Heard-Johnson raised the bullhorn to her lips and urged the crowd to play a role in the national movement to reform the country’s justice system.
“Don’t look for somebody to do something,” she said. “You do something.”
One by one, black community members took turns sharing their stories, each revealing pain, trauma and injustice.
The crowd cheered in unison, chanted and cried together.
Many were in awe that a protest like this could happen in conservative Irvine. Less than 2% of the city’s population is black, and the city’s sheltered nature is commonly referred to as the “Irvine bubble.”
The rally was organized by three teenagers: Ava Hojreh, 19; Ida Nariman, 18; and Alizah Gomez, 18. The women used an Instagram account, @ocforblacklives , to spread the word.
They said the purpose of the peaceful sit-in was to educate communities that didn’t often have to reckon with injustice.
“We wanted to have a productive and educational event,” Hojreh said.


latimes--2020-06-04--Amid Bay Area looting, Hayward gun store is robbed of 29 firearms

After looters made off with dozens of firearms from a Hayward , Calif. , gun store over the weekend , federal officials are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the theft .
The Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives on Wednesday offered a $ 5,000 reward , which was matched by the National Shooting Sports Foundation , for information on the crime .
The Bay Area saw a weekend of unrest as demonstrators took to the streets to decry the death of George Floyd , whom a white police officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knee into Floyd ’ s neck .
Protests have erupted across California and the U.S. , and many that began as peaceful demonstrations devolved into looting and other mayhem , especially on Saturday and Sunday nights .
Just after 10 p.m. Sunday , 30 to 40 people broke into Richardson Tactical in Hayward and stole 29 weapons , according to the reward notice issued by the ATF .
Among the weapons the store sells are Glock-22s , AR-15s and Beretta M9 handguns , according to Richardson ’ s Facebook page .
A Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Everyone working here is safe , no one was harmed , just some damage in the store , ” the post said .
The store ’ s owners could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday , but the Facebook post said no previously purchased weapons that had yet to be picked up were taken .
“ To reassure all of the customers who had pending items here , your items remained untouched , ” the store ’ s post said .
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and killed more than 4,400 — gun sales picked up across California .
In 2019 , Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed 15 bills strengthening gun control in state law .
The Hayward reward offered by the ATF and the National Shooting Sports Foundation , the trade association of the firearms industry , is part of an effort to “ curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms , ” the notice said .
The ATF is encouraging anyone with information to confidentially contact the organization at ( 800 ) 283-4867 or at the @ @ @ @

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a reward leading to the arrest of looters who stole 29 firearms from a store in Hayward, Calif.
After looters made off with dozens of firearms from a Hayward, Calif., gun store over the weekend, federal officials are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the theft.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Wednesday offered a $5,000 reward, which was matched by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, for information on the crime.
The Bay Area saw a weekend of unrest as demonstrators took to the streets to decry the death of George Floyd, whom a white police officer pinned to the ground by pressing his knee into Floyd’s neck. Protests have erupted across California and the U.S., and many that began as peaceful demonstrations devolved into looting and other mayhem, especially on Saturday and Sunday nights.
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Just after 10 p.m. Sunday, 30 to 40 people broke into Richardson Tactical in Hayward and stole 29 weapons, according to the reward notice issued by the ATF.
Among the weapons the store sells are Glock-22s, AR-15s and Beretta M9 handguns, according to Richardson’s Facebook page.
A Monday post on the page verified the looting.
“Everyone working here is safe, no one was harmed, just some damage in the store,” the post said.
The store’s owners could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday, but the Facebook post said no previously purchased weapons that had yet to be picked up were taken.
“To reassure all of the customers who had pending items here, your items remained untouched,” the store’s post said.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic — which has infected nearly 120,000 people across California and killed more than 4,400 — gun sales picked up across California. In 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed 15 bills strengthening gun control in state law.
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The Hayward reward offered by the ATF and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association of the firearms industry, is part of an effort to “curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms,” the notice said.
The ATF is encouraging anyone with information to confidentially contact the organization at (800) 283-4867 or at the Report It website.


latimes--2020-06-04--In Oakland, protesters turn streets into giant dance party: 'One more song'

In Oakland , a peaceful demonstration turned into a dance party Wednesday night as protests over the police killing of @ @ @ @ @ country .
As tunes from Kanye West and the Maze featuring Frankie Beverly were belted @ @ @ @ @ mass of protesters rocked out in the city ’ s streets .
( Warning : @ @ @ @ @ ) The group had earlier participated in a peaceful rally , but as night wore @ @ @ @ @ to resemble a nightclub more than a protest .
While the group was clearly breaking @ @ @ @ @ p.m. curfew , the Oakland Police Department didn ’ t disrupt the rollicking demonstration .
@ @ @ @ @ present , with the impromptu dance party lasting till nearly midnight .
While nearby communities @ @ @ @ @ Vallejo — where an unarmed 22-year-old man was fatally shot by a police during looting @ @ @ @ @ nights of unrest , Shaaf has tweeted that demonstrations in the city have remained largely @ @

Demonstrators raise their fists during a “Sit Out the Curfew” protest against the death of George Floyd in Oakland on Wednesday.
In Oakland, a peaceful demonstration turned into a dance party Wednesday night as protests over the police killing of George Floyd continued across the country.
As tunes from Kanye West and the Maze featuring Frankie Beverly were belted in the background, a mass of protesters rocked out in the city’s streets. (Warning: Some posts contain profanity.)
The group had earlier participated in a peaceful rally, but as night wore on, the scene began to resemble a nightclub more than a protest.
Dance party at 14th and Broadway now, with the few hundred folks left from the fuck the curfew protest tonight in oakland pic.twitter.com/WW6fvadCvG — Harriet Blair Rowan (@HattieRowan) June 4, 2020
While the group was clearly breaking the city’s 8 p.m. curfew, the Oakland Police Department didn’t disrupt the rollicking demonstration.
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Reports described thousands of people present, with the impromptu dance party lasting till nearly midnight.
“One more song, one more song,” #Oakland demonstrators have peacefully held the intersection of 14th and Broadway for more than four hours pic.twitter.com/Xt2djaZgbJ — David DeBolt (@daviddebolt) June 4, 2020
“Another peaceful and proud night, #Oakland ,” Oakland Mayor Libby Shaaf tweeted Thursday morning.
While nearby communities such as San Leandro and Vallejo — where an unarmed 22-year-old man was fatally shot by a police during looting Tuesday night — have reported nights of unrest, Shaaf has tweeted that demonstrations in the city have remained largely peaceful.


latimes--2020-06-04--California coronavirus cases surpass 120,000; protests, closed testing sites worry health officials

With protests across California decrying the death of George Floyd in their seventh day , health officials continue to sound the alarm that such close gatherings are likely to contribute to the spread of the coronavirus .
The number of confirmed cases in California surpassed 120,000 on Thursday , with the death toll reaching more than 4,400 .
The long-standing anger over killings like that of Floyd — who was pinned to the ground as a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck — and the newer threat of the COVID-19 outbreak have become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially devastating to black communities , where a of COVID-19 deaths have occurred .
But people motivated to demonstrate against systemic racism now must weigh the risks of protesting during the pandemic .
Many say it ’ s worth it .
Health officials , however , are troubled and continue to warn that the virus has not changed , despite eased restrictions allowing some businesses to reopen .
The Public Policy Institute of California on Wednesday released a new poll showing that most Californians were wary of reopening too quickly amid the continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for current statewide restrictions implemented to curb the spread of the virus .
Some even want tougher safeguards , and many remain fearful about contracting COVID-19 and ending up in the hospital .
The virus remains of great concern to Californians .
Of those polled , 36 % said it was the most important issue facing the state today , compared with 23 % who said they believed jobs and the economy were the top concerns .
“ They were concerned about their own well-being , and they wanted to see restrictions put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are comfortable with maintaining those restrictions rather than loosening them , ” said Mark Baldassare , the institute ’ s president and chief executive .
“ The anxiety is substantial.
” But massive protests across the nation have sparked fears of a second wave , as thousands of demonstrators shout and hold hands — potentially amplifying the transmission of the virus .
The unrest has led to less testing in Los Angeles County , as many sites were closed or operated under restricted hours during local protests .
The city has kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site — open since Monday , and more sites have reopened each day since being closed amid a weekend of unrest .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Thursday that all eight city-run testing sites would reopen Friday .
“ Los Angeles County is in the midst of fighting an unprecedented pandemic while also facing a state of emergency that impacts public safety , ” Dr. Christina Ghaly , director of the county ’ s Department of Health Services , said in a statement .
“ We need to ensure our testing sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The number of people who have tested positive for the virus — and the number of deaths linked to the virus — continue to rise in the county , though at a much less rapid clip .
As of Thursday , there were more than 59,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,500 deaths .
Over the last week , the county has averaged 1,405 new cases and 41.6 new deaths per day .

Cindy Carcamo, Soumya Karlamangla, Phil Willon

Protesters walk through a residential neighborhood in Hollywood on Wednesday after encountering an LAPD skirmish line.
With protests across California decrying the death of George Floyd in their seventh day, health officials continue to sound the alarm that such close gatherings are likely to contribute to the spread of the coronavirus.
The number of confirmed cases in California surpassed 120,000 on Thursday, with the death toll reaching more than 4,400.
The long-standing anger over killings like that of Floyd — who was pinned to the ground as a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck — and the newer threat of the COVID-19 outbreak have become a joint crisis. The virus has been especially devastating to black communities, where a disproportionate share of COVID-19 deaths have occurred.
But people motivated to demonstrate against systemic racism now must weigh the risks of protesting during the pandemic. Many say it’s worth it.
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Health officials, however, are troubled and continue to warn that the virus has not changed, despite eased restrictions allowing some businesses to reopen.
The Public Policy Institute of California on Wednesday released a new poll showing that most Californians were wary of reopening too quickly amid the continuing pandemic.
The poll found widespread support for current statewide restrictions implemented to curb the spread of the virus. Some even want tougher safeguards, and many remain fearful about contracting COVID-19 and ending up in the hospital.
The virus remains of great concern to Californians. Of those polled, 36% said it was the most important issue facing the state today, compared with 23% who said they believed jobs and the economy were the top concerns.
“They were concerned about their own well-being, and they wanted to see restrictions put in place for their public safety. They are comfortable with maintaining those restrictions rather than loosening them,” said Mark Baldassare, the institute’s president and chief executive. “The anxiety is substantial.”
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But massive protests across the nation have sparked fears of a second wave, as thousands of demonstrators shout and hold hands — potentially amplifying the transmission of the virus.
The unrest has led to less testing in Los Angeles County, as many sites were closed or operated under restricted hours during local protests.
The city has kept Dodger Stadium — its largest coronavirus testing site — open since Monday, and more sites have reopened each day since being closed amid a weekend of unrest. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Thursday that all eight city-run testing sites would reopen Friday.
“Los Angeles County is in the midst of fighting an unprecedented pandemic while also facing a state of emergency that impacts public safety,” Dr. Christina Ghaly, director of the county’s Department of Health Services, said in a statement.
“We need to ensure our testing sites are safe for both patients and staff.”
The number of people who have tested positive for the virus — and the number of deaths linked to the virus — continue to rise in the county, though at a much less rapid clip.
As of Thursday, there were more than 59,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,500 deaths.
Over the last week, the county has averaged 1,405 new cases and 41.6 new deaths per day.


latimes--2020-06-04--'Violation of our values,' UCLA chancellor says of LAPD's use of Jackie Robinson Stadium

Facing mounting criticism over the LAPD ’ s use of Jackie Robinson Stadium to process arrests of protesters during the uprising sparked by the death of George Floyd , UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said such use was “ a violation of our values ” and that UCLA “ must and will do better.
” “ To see a space that ’ s so special to UCLA , particularly one dedicated to an iconic figure like Robinson , used as a place for punishing those who carry on his legacy is profoundly upsetting , ” Block said in an emailed message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
“ The truth is that for many in our community , deeply anxious about police brutality and abuse of government power , that was deeply troubling .
We understand and respect that .
We failed to recognize these challenges in an inclusive manner that heard marginalized voices.
” Block said that the LAPD had sought and received permission from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs , from which the university leases the stadium , to use its parking lot as a “ staging area.
” UCLA “ knew about and failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not know the site would be used to process arrests , he said .
“ But allowing the LAPD to use the space even for staging during these recent protests was a mistake , ” Block said .
The issue arose after the Los Angeles Police Department crowded protesters and others arrested Monday in downtown Los Angeles and Westwood into sheriff ’ s buses and brought them to the stadium .
Protesters said they were detained for several hours and left handcuffed and without access to food , water or medical attention , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocols were ignored .
Dozens of UCLA faculty signed a letter Tuesday expressing concern and demanding an explanation .
They did not accept Administrative Vice Chancellor Michael Beck ’ s response that LAPD ’ s use of the stadium as a field jail “ was not done with the administration ’ s permission , collaboration or knowledge.
” “ We are incredulous that you and other UCLA leadership were unaware of the situation , ” they wrote .
“ How can we be assured that this will not repeat itself , putting many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only to be later told that it happened without UCLA ’ s knowledge and permission ?
Responsibility lies with UCLA whether permission was granted or not.
” The LAPD said in a statement late Wednesday that it created a command post in the stadium parking lot on Sunday in preparation for planned demonstrations in Westwood the following day .
It said the facility had been used “ for previous city emergencies and was obtained with the approval of the staff ” of UCLA .
The department said that by Monday evening a surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for processing , and it “ identified the stadium as a location for a field jail , to process arrestees for immediate release.
” “ We regret that we did not inform UCLA of this intended purpose , ” the statement said .
The statement added : “ In retrospect it was an unfortunate decision to establish this site [ for ] processing arrestees ... given the stadium ’ s namesake of Jackie Robinson , who broke Major League Baseball ’ s color barrier as the first African American baseball player .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legacy and the spirit of the protests.
” UCLA faculty , led by professor Ananya Roy , said the university ’ s “ active collaboration ” with police stands in “ sharp hypocrisy ” to its statements of solidarity with protesters .
The faculty have called on the university to make public all information regarding the use of the stadium by city agencies , including as a police command post , and to sever ties with the LAPD .

Facing mounting criticism over the LAPD’s use of Jackie Robinson Stadium to process arrested protesters during the uprising sparked by the death of George Floyd, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said that such use was “a violation of our values” and that UCLA “must and will do better.”
“To see a space that’s so special to UCLA, particularly one dedicated to an iconic figure like Robinson, used as a place for punishing those who carry on his legacy is profoundly upsetting,” Block said in an emailed message to the UCLA community late Wednesday night. “The truth is that for many in our community, deeply anxious about police brutality and abuse of government power, that was deeply troubling. We understand and respect that. We failed to recognize these challenges in an inclusive manner that heard marginalized voices.”
Block said that the LAPD had sought and received permission from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, from which the university leases the stadium, to use its parking lot as a “staging area.” UCLA “knew about and failed to stop” that arrangement but did not know the site would be used to process arrests, he said.
“But allowing the LAPD to use the space even for staging during these recent protests was a mistake,” Block said.
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The issue arose after the Los Angeles Police Department crowded protesters and others arrested Monday in downtown Los Angeles and Westwood into Sheriff’s Department buses and brought them to the stadium. Protesters said they were detained for several hours and left handcuffed and without access to food, water or medical attention, while social distancing and other COVID-19 safety protocols were ignored.
Dozens of UCLA faculty members signed a letter Tuesday expressing concern and demanding an explanation. They did not accept Administrative Vice Chancellor Michael Beck’s response that the LAPD’s use of the stadium as a field jail “was not done with the administration’s permission, collaboration or knowledge.”
“We are incredulous that you and other UCLA leadership were unaware of the situation,” they wrote. “How can we be assured that this will not repeat itself, putting many people in harm’s way, only to be later told that it happened without UCLA’s knowledge and permission? Responsibility lies with UCLA whether permission was granted or not.”
The LAPD said in a statement late Wednesday that it created a command post in the stadium parking lot Sunday in preparation for planned demonstrations in Westwood the following day. It said the facility had been used “for previous city emergencies and was obtained with the approval of the staff” of UCLA.
The department said that by Monday evening a surge in curfew violation arrests required additional space for processing, and it “identified the stadium as a location for a field jail, to process arrestees for immediate release.”
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“We regret that we did not inform UCLA of this intended purpose,” the statement said.
The statement added: “In retrospect it was an unfortunate decision to establish this site [for] processing arrestees … given the stadium’s namesake of Jackie Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier as the first African American baseball player. The location was a poor choice given his legacy and the spirit of the protests.”
UCLA faculty, led by professor Ananya Roy, said the university’s “active collaboration” with police stands in “sharp hypocrisy” to its statements of solidarity with protesters. The faculty have called on the university to make public all information regarding the use of the stadium by city agencies, including as a police command post, and to sever ties with the LAPD.


latimes--2020-06-04--L.A. aggressively expanded the police force for 3 decades. Now, a political shift means cuts

Even before the Los Angeles riots in 1992 , many at City Hall believed that the Los Angeles Police Department was too small to effectively patrol such a sprawling city .
They noted that L.A. had fewer cops per capita than some other cities and that L.A. 's huge geography caused its own unique challenges .
So , for more than two decades , L.A. pushed to expand the department .
The magic number was 10,000 officers .
And in 2013 , L.A. hit that number .
But by then , there were voices at City Hall questioning whether more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be time to trim the LAPD ’ s budget to preserve other city programs during tough economic times .
Some also noted the huge drop in crime during that period , a dramatic difference from the late 1980s and early 1990s .
The LAPD budget , however , remained largely protected — even as Black Lives Matter and other groups pushed to cut funding .
On Wednesday , after days of massive protests over the death of George Floyd , Mayor Eric Garcetti said he supported budget cuts for the LAPD .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles , though many of the details still are being worked out .
Garcetti had originally proposed a 7 % spending increase for the LAPD , including a lucrative package of for rank-and-file officers .
But Wednesday , a day after thousands of protesters chanted “ Defund the police ” outside his Windsor Square home , Garcetti said he had changed course , deciding now is not the time to increase the department budget .
Garcetti said his administration would look for $ 250 million in cuts from city departments , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investing in jobs programs , health initiatives and other services supporting the black community and other communities of color .
As part of those reductions , the LAPD would see cuts of $ 100 million to $ 150 million , he said .
Council President Nury Martinez and several of her colleagues proposed the same reductions for the LAPD , which would eliminate the increase planned in Garcetti ’ s budget .
“ While a complete overhaul of the city ’ s budget will take time , we can begin to slowly dismantle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of color , ” Martinez said .
“ A preliminary cut to the LAPD budget will not solve everything , but it ’ s a step in the right direction.
” How much of L.A. 's budget is taken up by police ?
Garcetti ’ s budget , first proposed in April , called for police spending to consume 53.8 % of the city ’ s “ unrestricted ” general fund revenue — taxes that are not earmarked for special purposes or certain fees , fines and grants .
The LAPD makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s overall $ 10.5-billion budget , a figure that does not include police pensions and healthcare , according to city budget officials .
The amount of police spending in L.A. has long been a source of frustration for activists .
This year , Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles teamed up with other grassroots organizations to survey Angelenos about their budget priorities and draft their People ’ s Budget .
Under their alternative spending plan for the coming year , police would receive only 5.7 % of the city ’ s general fund .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists say Garcetti ’ s actions do not go far enough .
Meanwhile , leaders of the LAPD ’ s biggest union were furious with Martinez over her statement that government systems were “ designed to harm people of color.
” They said her choices of words was “ offensive ” and dehumanized police officers .
Council members have shown little appetite for cutting the LAPD as dramatically as outlined in the People ’ s Budget .
But several said in recent days that they could not shield police officers from cuts when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is this moment so big ?
The LAPD struggled for decades with a series of scandals as well as widespread evidence of bias and abuse toward minorities during the era of chiefs including William Parker and Daryl Gates .
Gates infamously said blacks fared poorly under police chokeholds because their physiology was different from that of “ normal ” people .
The videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King and the riots that followed the acquittal of white officers sparked the beginning of reforms that continued after another scandal involving officers at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more racially diverse than ever .
And although the reforms have generated praise even from longtime critics , problems persist .
The department has struggled with the number of black officers .
Leaders long argued that a larger number of officers would mean better , less militaristic policing of the city .
But that argument has been challenged , not just by activists and advocates of criminal justice reform but also by those who say , with crime so much lower than in the past , it makes more sense for the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1990 , the 10,000 plan was designed to boost the LAPD staffing by 25 % .
At the time , the LAPD had more than 8,000 officers , which represented at 2,000-person increases from several years earlier .
Some thought it could be done in a few years .
It took almost two decades .
One of the architects of the plan to expand to 10,000 officers was quick to note there was no science to that goal .
The 10,000 figure lacked any analytical underpinning but was “ a nice round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time .
It also “ takes the force from four digits to five digits .
”

Richard Winton, David Zahniser, Emily Alpert Reyes, Luke Money

Even before the Los Angeles riots in 1992, many at City Hall believed that the Los Angeles Police Department was too small to effectively patrol such a sprawling city. They noted that L.A. had fewer cops per capita than some other cities and that L.A.’s huge geography caused its own unique challenges.
So, for more than two decades, L.A. pushed to expand the department. The magic number was 10,000 officers. And in 2013, L.A. hit that number.
But by then, there were voices at City Hall questioning whether more expansion was needed and whether it might be time to trim the LAPD’s budget to preserve other city programs during tough economic times. Some also noted the huge drop in crime during that period, a dramatic difference from the late 1980s and early 1990s.
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The LAPD budget, however, remained largely protected — even as Black Lives Matter and other groups pushed to cut funding.
On Wednesday, after days of massive protests over the death of George Floyd, Mayor Eric Garcetti said he supported budget cuts for the LAPD. That statement marks a major shift for Los Angeles, though many of the details still are being worked out.
What is Garcetti proposing?
Garcetti had originally proposed a 7% spending increase for the LAPD, including a lucrative package of raises and bonuses for rank-and-file officers.
But Wednesday, a day after thousands of protesters chanted “Defund the police” outside his Windsor Square home, Garcetti said he had changed course, deciding now is not the time to increase the department budget.
Garcetti said his administration would look for $250 million in cuts from city departments, including the LAPD, and steer the funds to investing in jobs programs, health initiatives and other services supporting the black community and other communities of color. As part of those reductions, the LAPD would see cuts of $100 million to $150 million, he said.
Mayor Eric Garcetti addresses protesters and clergy participating in a march in downtown L.A. on Tuesday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
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Council President Nury Martinez and several of her colleagues proposed the same reductions for the LAPD, which would eliminate the increase planned in Garcetti’s budget.
“While a complete overhaul of the city’s budget will take time, we can begin to slowly dismantle those systems that are designed to harm people of color,” Martinez said. “A preliminary cut to the LAPD budget will not solve everything, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
How much of L.A.’s budget is taken up by police?
Garcetti’s budget, first proposed in April, called for police spending to consume 53.8% of the city’s “unrestricted” general fund revenue — taxes that are not earmarked for special purposes or certain fees, fines and grants. The LAPD makes up 17.6% of the city’s overall $10.5-billion budget, a figure that does not include police pensions and healthcare, according to city budget officials.
The amount of police spending in L.A. has long been a source of frustration for activists. This year, Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles teamed up with other grassroots organizations to survey Angelenos about their budget priorities and draft their People’s Budget.
Under their alternative spending plan for the coming year, police would receive only 5.7% of the city’s general fund.
How have activists, others reacted?
Progressive activists say Garcetti’s actions do not go far enough. Meanwhile, leaders of the LAPD’s biggest union were furious with Martinez over her statement that government systems were “designed to harm people of color.” They said her choices of words was “offensive” and dehumanized police officers.
Council members have shown little appetite for cutting the LAPD as dramatically as outlined in the People’s Budget. But several said in recent days that they could not shield police officers from cuts when other employees were facing reductions.
Why is this moment so big?
The LAPD struggled for decades with a series of scandals as well as widespread evidence of bias and abuse toward minorities during the era of chiefs including William Parker and Daryl Gates. Gates infamously said blacks fared poorly under police chokeholds because their physiology was different from that of “normal” people.
The videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King and the riots that followed the acquittal of white officers sparked the beginning of reforms that continued after another scandal involving officers at the Rampart division.
The LAPD is now more racially diverse than ever. And although the reforms have generated praise even from longtime critics, problems persist. The department has struggled with the number of black officers.
Leaders long argued that a larger number of officers would mean better, less militaristic policing of the city.
But that argument has been challenged, not just by activists and advocates of criminal justice reform but also by those who say, with crime so much lower than in the past, it makes more sense for the city to invest in other things.
Back in 1990, the 10,000 plan was designed to boost the LAPD staffing by 25%. At the time, the LAPD had more than 8,000 officers, which represented at 2,000-person increases from several years earlier. Some thought it could be done in a few years. It took almost two decades.
One of the architects of the plan to expand to 10,000 officers was quick to note there was no science to that goal.
The 10,000 figure lacked any analytical underpinning but was “a nice round number,” then-Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said at the time. It also “takes the force from four digits to five digits.”


latimes--2020-06-04--Man brandishes handgun at protester in Newport Beach

After a man was caught on video brandishing a handgun at a demonstrator during a protest in Newport Beach on Wednesday afternoon , police are looking for additional victims .
Video circulating on social media shows a shirtless man pulling a handgun out of a backpack and pointing it in the air near 30th Street and Newport Boulevard shortly before 3:30 p.m .
The man had been involved in a verbal dispute with a demonstrator when he brandished the firearm , Newport Beach Police spokeswoman Heather Rangel said .
The video shows the demonstrator , who is black , crouching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is white , pulls out the gun .
The man with the gun fled before police arrived , authorities said .
Anyone with information is asked to call Det .
Rick Henry at ( 949 ) 644-3797 .
The incident occurred during a peaceful protest on the Balboa Peninsula , where hundreds gathered in response to the death of George Floyd , who died last week after a Minneapolis police officer pinned him down by his neck for more than eight minutes .
The afternoon protest started at the base of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people silently holding signs .
Eventually , the crowd size approached at least 500 .
Many were young white people who exhorted others to use their privilege to dismantle systemic racism .
After about an hour , the crowd headed past the Dory Fishing Fleet , the sunbathers on their folding chairs in the sand , Mutt Lynch ’ s bar and a souvenir shop with mermaid statues in the window .
They walked down the boardwalk for several streets before turning back on Balboa Boulevard to 32nd Street , then returned , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before circling back .
During a later stretch of the march , a driver in a white Mini Cooper sped down Balboa Boulevard through a crowd of protesters .
The scene was captured on video by a television news crew in the area .
Protesters quickly moved out of the way as the driver maneuvered through the crowd .
The driver , Don Wallace , a resident of Newport Beach , was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon , Rangel said .
Times Community News staff writers Hillary Davis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Hundreds protest racism and police brutality in a march along Balboa Boulevard in Newport Beach on Wednesday.
After a man was caught on video brandishing a handgun at a demonstrator during a protest in Newport Beach on Wednesday afternoon, police are looking for additional victims.
Video circulating on social media shows a shirtless man pulling a handgun out of a backpack and pointing it in the air near 30th Street and Newport Boulevard shortly before 3:30 p.m. The man had been involved in a verbal dispute with a demonstrator when he brandished the firearm, Newport Beach Police spokeswoman Heather Rangel said.
The video shows the demonstrator, who is black, crouching behind a parked car after the man, who is white, pulls out the gun. The man with the gun fled before police arrived, authorities said.
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Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Rick Henry at (949) 644-3797.
The incident occurred during a peaceful protest on the Balboa Peninsula, where hundreds gathered in response to the death of George Floyd, who died last week after a Minneapolis police officer pinned him down by his neck for more than eight minutes.
The afternoon protest started at the base of the Newport Pier with a handful of people silently holding signs. Eventually, the crowd size approached at least 500. Many were young white people who exhorted others to use their privilege to dismantle systemic racism.
After about an hour, the crowd headed past the Dory Fishing Fleet, the sunbathers on their folding chairs in the sand, Mutt Lynch’s bar and a souvenir shop with mermaid statues in the window. They walked down the boardwalk for several streets before turning back on Balboa Boulevard to 32nd Street, then returned, walking to the end of the peninsula before circling back.
During a later stretch of the march, a driver in a white Mini Cooper sped down Balboa Boulevard through a crowd of protesters.
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The scene was captured on video by a television news crew in the area. Protesters quickly moved out of the way as the driver maneuvered through the crowd.
The driver, Don Wallace, a resident of Newport Beach, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Rangel said.
Times Community News staff writers Hillary Davis and Andrew Turner contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-06-04--She's an essential worker, helping the homeless. But ICE plans to deport her next week

Many of the Vagabond Inn ’ s employees refused to return to work when the Ventura hotel reopened in mid-April to house the homeless during the coronavirus pandemic .
Unsure of the risks , many stayed home .
Victoria Galindo Lopez , a 48-year-old Mexican immigrant , was one of the few who stepped up and returned to her housekeeping job .
“ I was needed , ” she said in Spanish .
“ And I needed to work .
I was happy to help the community.
” Galindo earns $ 13.15 an hour cleaning the hotel under the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable homeless residents who don ’ t have symptoms of coronavirus but are at high risk of catching it .
Although she ’ s happy to support her family and do her part to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic , she worries that her work may make her sick .
But despite performing essential work , she ’ s suddenly facing another imminent threat : deportation .
Although Immigration and Customs Enforcement has allowed her to remain in the United States for nearly two decades for humanitarian reasons , the agency this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , without explanation .
“ The truth is that this is so unjust , ” Galindo said .
An immigration judge ordered her deported in 2005 .
But since 2011 , ICE had refrained from deporting her based on “ humanitarian reasons , ” the specifics of which the agency refused to discuss .
The immigration relief allowed Galindo to live and work in the U.S legally .
That all changed this year , and Galindo , a mother of four , is scheduled to be deported on June 11 .
“ She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four people .
Now one kid may be dropping out of college and another kid is potentially dropping out of nursing school because of this , ” said Galindo ’ s attorney , Vanessa Frank .
“ When you disrupt a family that is functional and make it dysfunctional , how is that helpful to anybody ?
” ICE spokesperson Alexx Pons said the agency couldn ’ t comment on specific cases “ due to privacy concerns.
” On Monday , Frank filed a new stay request with ICE .
She and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In hopes of preventing a surge of coronaivrus cases in California ’ s homeless community , state officials launched Project Roomkey in April to move thousands of people experiencing homelessness off the street into isolation in hotel and motel rooms .
As of mid-May , the program has housed more than 7,900 people .
the The project was implemented at a local level by way of partnerships with several counties that have large homeless populations , such as Los Angeles County .
The Vagabond Inn in Ventura is servicing 150 rooms daily for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ventura County had 1,190 COVID-19 cases and 35 people had died from the virus .
Galindo was 16 when she fled Mexico in 1988 for better work opportunities in the U.S. She entered the country without inspection and lived here without legal status until she and her husband hired a person to help them — believing that person was authorized to provide legal advice .
They later realized he was a fake immigration attorney — better known among immigrants as a notario .
Galindo didn ’ t make the discovery until after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2005 for fraudulently applying for asylum .
Galindo said she and her then-husband did not have a valid asylum claim and weren ’ t aware that the notario had scammed them and submitted fraudulent paperwork .
In 2011 , Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials raided her home but ended up not deporting her , on humanitarian grounds .
Galindo has four children — all but one a U.S. citizen — no criminal record , a steady job and a mortgage .
One of her daughters is protected from deportation and has a work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arrivals .
Every year , she checked in with ICE officials .
Every year , ICE renewed her stay of removal—until now .
In mid-May , Galindo received a letter that ICE had denied her latest petition .
It didn ’ t say why , but it did tell her to report to ICE offices in Camarillo on June 11 with no more than 50 pounds of luggage .
Galindo is from the state of Guerrero in Mexico , where violent crime is widespread , according to the State Department .
She doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning to a country she left so long ago .
“ How do you prepare to die ?
” she said .
She says she doesn ’ t know what she ’ ll do if she ’ s ultimately deported .
“ I don ’ t even know what I will take with me other than the pants and shirt I have on me .
The most important things to me I will be leaving behind — my children , ” she said .
“ My whole life is here.
” During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Galindo had sought a separate form of immigration relief .
In 2018 , she applied for a U visa , which is given to victims of serious crimes who provide a certification form signed by law enforcement stating that they have been or are likely to be helpful to an investigation .
The visa is also available to the parents of underage crime victims who cooperate with law enforcement .
A few years ago , Galindo said , she discovered that her husband had sexually abused one of her daughters .
She divorced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deported , Frank said .
She applied for the U visa , adding her name to a backlog of applicants who are waiting several years to receive the immigration benefit .
Galindo ’ s application is still pending but is expected to be approved in a year or two .
Deportation , however , would throw a wrench into the process , Frank said .
She would have to wait up to 10 years in Mexico .
“ It makes a huge difference in her ability to support her family , ” Frank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s children have also become essential workers .
Her two oldest daughters , who are early-childhood educators , are teaching and caring for the children of first responders and medical workers .
Her youngest is graduating from high school and has helped distribute free meals during the pandemic .
“ They wanted to get in there and help their community .
And In turn they support one another .
They are able to do amazing things because they have a family behind them to support them , ” Frank said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes to work at the Vagabond Inn , Galindo steels herself and tries not to think of the risk involved in cleaning up after strangers — some of the most vulnerable people in the county .
She wears a mask , gloves and other protective gear when she tidies up the rooms , sweeps the bathroom floors and changes the linens .
That gear makes her feel somewhat protected , but she worries about falling ill. “ My workmates and I talk about it a lot , but we also have rent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ re scared.
” Ruben Montiel , general manager of the Vagabond Inn , wouldn ’ t comment for this story but wrote a letter about Galindo that was included in her attorney ’ s appeal to immigration officials .
Montiel described Galindo as a “ hard-working employee ” who “ gives every guest excellent service.
” “ She does her work with pride .
She knows that her work is making a difference for the community , ” Montiel wrote .
“ She ’ s an invaluable part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not many like her.
” Galindo ’ s eldest daughter is upset and confused about her mother ’ s deportation .
“ I don ’ t understand why they are taking her now when she is saying , ‘ Hey , I ’ m still here and working hard .
I ’ m not running away .
I have no criminal record .
I ’ ve shown up to every appointment on time .
I have a Social Security number and paid taxes , ’ ” the 28-year-old U.S. citizen said .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to let her mother go .
She worries about her mother ’ s safety if she ’ s deported to Mexico .
“ We ’ ve had a mom here for our whole life .
Her not being here ?
It ’ s going be like big hole in our lives , ” she said .
“ We work as a team.
” As she mourns her mother ’ s possible exile , she also feels immense pressure about the logistics of heading a household .
She asks herself : “ Should I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How am I going to help my siblings ?
” “ If she leaves in less than a month … it ’ s so little time .
What do we do ?
”

Many of the Vagabond Inn’s employees refused to return to work when the Ventura hotel reopened in mid-April to house the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unsure of the risks, many stayed home.
Victoria Galindo Lopez, a 48-year-old Mexican immigrant, was one of the few who stepped up and returned to her housekeeping job.
“I was needed,” she said in Spanish. “And I needed to work. I was happy to help the community.”
Galindo earns $13.15 an hour cleaning the hotel under the state’s Project Roomkey, which houses vulnerable homeless residents who don’t have symptoms of coronavirus but are at high risk of catching it. Although she’s happy to support her family and do her part to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic, she worries that her work may make her sick.
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But despite performing essential work, she’s suddenly facing another imminent threat: deportation. Although Immigration and Customs Enforcement has allowed her to remain in the United States for nearly two decades for humanitarian reasons, the agency this year denied her application to renew her stay, without explanation.
“The truth is that this is so unjust,” Galindo said.
An immigration judge ordered her deported in 2005. But since 2011, ICE had refrained from deporting her based on “humanitarian reasons,” the specifics of which the agency refused to discuss. The immigration relief allowed Galindo to live and work in the U.S. legally. That all changed this year, and Galindo, a mother of four, is scheduled to be deported June 11.
“She has a stable home for these young four people. Now one kid may be dropping out of college and another kid is potentially dropping out of nursing school because of this,” said Galindo’s attorney, Vanessa Frank. “When you disrupt a family that is functional and make it dysfunctional, how is that helpful to anybody?”
ICE representative Alexx Pons said the agency couldn’t comment on specific cases “due to privacy concerns.”
On Monday, Frank filed a new stay request with ICE. She and her client have yet to hear back.
In hopes of preventing a surge of coronavirus cases in California’s homeless community, state officials launched Project Roomkey in April to move thousands of homeless people off the street and into isolation in hotel and motel rooms.
As of mid-May, the program has housed more than 7,900 people. the The project was implemented at a local level by way of partnerships with several counties that have large homeless populations, such as Los Angeles County. The Vagabond Inn in Ventura is servicing 150 rooms daily for the project. As of Wednesday afternoon, Ventura County had 1,190 COVID-19 cases and 35 people had died from the virus.
Galindo was 16 when she fled Mexico in 1988 for better work opportunities in the U.S. She entered the country without inspection and lived here without legal status until she and her husband hired a person to help them — believing that person was authorized to provide legal advice. They later realized he was a fake immigration attorney — better known among immigrants as a notario.
Galindo didn’t make the discovery until after an immigration judge ordered her deported in 2005 for fraudulently applying for asylum. Galindo said she and her then-husband did not have a valid asylum claim and weren’t aware that the notario had scammed them and submitted fraudulent paperwork.
In 2011, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials raided her home but ended up not deporting her, on humanitarian grounds. Galindo has four children — all but one a U.S. citizen — no criminal record, a steady job and a mortgage. One of her daughters is protected from deportation and has a work permit under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
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Every year, she checked in with ICE officials. Every year, ICE renewed her stay of removal—until now.
In mid-May, Galindo received a letter that ICE had denied her latest petition. It didn’t say why, but it did tell her to report to ICE offices in Camarillo on June 11 with no more than 50 pounds of luggage.
Galindo is from the state of Guerrero in Mexico, where violent crime is widespread, according to the State Department.
She doesn’t know how to prepare for returning to a country she left so long ago.
“How do you prepare to die?” she said.
She says she doesn’t know what she’ll do if she’s ultimately deported. “I don’t even know what I will take with me other than the pants and shirt I have on me. The most important things to me I will be leaving behind — my children,” she said. “My whole life is here.”
During the time she was protected from deportation, Galindo had sought a separate form of immigration relief.
In 2018, she applied for a U visa, which is given to victims of serious crimes who provide a certification form signed by law enforcement stating that they have been or are likely to be helpful to an investigation. The visa is also available to the parents of underage crime victims who cooperate with law enforcement.
A few years ago, Galindo said, she discovered that her husband had sexually abused one of her daughters. She divorced him; he was arrested and ultimately deported, Frank said.
She applied for the U visa, adding her name to a backlog of applicants who are waiting several years to receive the immigration benefit. Galindo’s application is still pending but is expected to be approved in a year or two.
Deportation, however, would throw a wrench into the process, Frank said. She would have to wait up to 10 years in Mexico.
“It makes a huge difference in her ability to support her family,” Frank said.
During the pandemic, Galindo’s children have also become essential workers. Her two oldest daughters, who are early-childhood educators, are teaching and caring for the children of first responders and medical workers. Her youngest is graduating from high school and has helped distribute free meals during the pandemic.
“They wanted to get in there and help their community. And In turn they support one another. They are able to do amazing things because they have a family behind them to support them,” Frank said. “Why disrupt that?”
Before she goes to work at the Vagabond Inn, Galindo steels herself and tries not to think of the risk involved in cleaning up after strangers — some of the most vulnerable people in the county. She wears a mask, gloves and other protective gear when she tidies up the rooms, sweeps the bathroom floors and changes the linens. That gear makes her feel somewhat protected, but she worries about falling ill.
“My workmates and I talk about it a lot, but we also have rent and bills to pay,” Galindo said. “We’re scared.”
Ruben Montiel, general manager of the Vagabond Inn, wouldn’t comment for this story but wrote a letter about Galindo that was included in her attorney’s appeal to immigration officials.
Montiel described Galindo as a “hardworking employee” who “gives every guest excellent service.”
“She does her work with pride. She knows that her work is making a difference for the community,” Montiel wrote. “She’s an invaluable part of my team and I know there are not many like her.”
Galindo’s eldest daughter is upset and confused about her mother’s deportation.
“I don’t understand why they are taking her now when she is saying, ‘Hey, I’m still here and working hard. I’m not running away. I have no criminal record. I’ve shown up to every appointment on time. I have a Social Security number and paid taxes,’” the 28-year-old U.S. citizen said.
She said she wasn’t emotionally ready to let her mother go. She worries about her mother’s safety if she’s deported to Mexico.
“We’ve had a mom here for our whole life. Her not being here? It’s going be like big hole in our lives,” she said. “We work as a team.”
As she mourns her mother’s possible exile, she also feels immense pressure about the logistics of heading a household.
She asks herself: “Should I get a second job?” “How am I going to help my siblings?” “If she leaves in less than a month … it’s so little time. What do we do?”


latimes--2020-06-04--Using tear gas to subdue protesters may further spread the coronavirus, experts warn

Using tear gas or pepper spray to subdue protesters will only help spread the coronavirus in the middle of a pandemic , infectious disease experts warn , urging law enforcement to abandon the practice for public health reasons .
Spraying people with tear gas causes them to cough , shout and scream — and that will send infectious droplets from an infected person to others , said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong , a professor of medicine and an infectious diseases specialist at UC San Francisco .
Tear gas may cause people who are wearing masks to take them off , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nose and mouth , Chin-Hong said .
Even worse , respiratory irritants inflame the inside of the nose and mouth and the lining of lung tissues , making the body more susceptible to infection , he said .
Chin-Hong was one of more than 1,000 people — among them infectious disease and public health experts — who have signed a petition asking local and state governments to stop using tear gas , smoke and other respiratory irritants that increase the risk for coronavirus transmission by inducing coughing .
The petition was inspired by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Chin-Hong said he was contacted to edit the letter .
COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , is different from many other infectious diseases because people can experience either mild symptoms or no symptoms at all yet can easily transmit the virus to others , Chin-Hong said .
“ It ’ s easier to spread because people don ’ t know they ’ re sick.
” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 20 % to 50 % of people who get infected by the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right of people to protest the death of George Floyd , a black man killed after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes .
But the letter also suggested that protesters not be arrested or held in confined spaces , like jails or police vans , settings where the virus can easily spread .
It urged demonstrators to use face coverings , keep six feet away from other protesters when possible and try to stay close to a single group of people , rather than intermingle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was to meet people where they were , ” Chin-Hong said .
“ We wanted to support people ’ s voices in this national time of sadness and tragedy .
... We wanted to make the people as safe as possible when they went out , arming them with the science behind it , and then maybe advocating for law enforcement to be a little bit more humane.
” Chin-Hong said those supporting the demonstrators should have a stock of masks available to give to people in case they get sprayed or their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters may want to staff a table with extra masks and hand sanitizer , like volunteers at a marathon might set up for runners , Chin-Hong said .
Face shields also are effective at protecting the mouth , nose and eyes from infectious droplets , Chin-Hong said , and may be more comfortable to wear and offer the chance for people to see people ’ s facial expressions .
Health experts have voiced worry that the demonstrations may help cause a dramatic increase in the transmission of the highly contagious coronavirus .

Riverside County sheriff’s deputies fire tear gas toward protesters after they moved a fence into the street during demonstrations June 1 in Riverside.
Using tear gas or pepper spray to subdue protesters will only help spread the coronavirus in the middle of a pandemic, infectious disease experts warn, urging law enforcement to abandon the practice for public health reasons.
Spraying people with tear gas causes them to cough, shout and scream — and that will send infectious droplets from an infected person to others, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and an infectious diseases specialist at UC San Francisco.
Tear gas may cause people who are wearing masks to take them off, and prompt them to rub their eyes, nose and mouth, Chin-Hong said. Even worse, respiratory irritants inflame the inside of the nose and mouth and the lining of lung tissues, making the body more susceptible to infection, he said.
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Chin-Hong was one of more than 1,000 people — among them infectious disease and public health experts — who have signed a petition asking local and state governments to stop using tear gas, smoke and other respiratory irritants that increase the risk for coronavirus transmission by inducing coughing. The petition was inspired by a group from the University of Washington, and Chin-Hong said he was contacted to edit the letter.
COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, is different from many other infectious diseases because people can experience either mild symptoms or no symptoms at all yet can easily transmit the virus to others, Chin-Hong said.
“It’s easier to spread because people don’t know they’re sick.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 20% to 50% of people who get infected by the coronavirus are asymptomatic.
California L.A. coronavirus test sites were closed during the protests. That has experts worried L.A. County closed several testing sites or limited their hours amid protests, prompting concern that the move could could abet a second wave of coronavirus cases. Garcetti says all sites in the city will reopen Friday.
The petition supports the right of people to protest the death of George Floyd, a black man killed after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes. But the letter also suggested that protesters not be arrested or held in confined spaces, like jails or police vans, settings where the virus can easily spread.
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It urged demonstrators to use face coverings, keep six feet away from other protesters when possible and try to stay close to a single group of people, rather than intermingle with many others.
“Our approach was to meet people where they were,” Chin-Hong said. “We wanted to support people’s voices in this national time of sadness and tragedy. ... We wanted to make the people as safe as possible when they went out, arming them with the science behind it, and then maybe advocating for law enforcement to be a little bit more humane.”
Chin-Hong said those supporting the demonstrators should have a stock of masks available to give to people in case they get sprayed or their mask is ripped away. Allies of protesters may want to staff a table with extra masks and hand sanitizer, like volunteers at a marathon might set up for runners, Chin-Hong said.
Face shields also are effective at protecting the mouth, nose and eyes from infectious droplets, Chin-Hong said, and may be more comfortable to wear and offer the chance for people to see people’s facial expressions.
Health experts have voiced worry that the demonstrations may help cause a dramatic increase in the transmission of the highly contagious coronavirus.


latimes--2020-06-04--After tow truck driver runs red light, LAPD crash sends 4 to hospital, including 2 officers

Four people , including two Los Angeles police officers , were hospitalized following a multi-vehicle crash in South Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ said .
Two officers were heading in a marked SUV to assist on a call @ @ @ @ @ a red light in front of them at Main Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard @ @ @ @ @ said Officer Rosario Cervantes , a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department .
The @ @ @ @ @ the tow truck and pushed the vehicle into two other cars on the other side @ @ @ @ @ said .
The officer driving the patrol SUV remained in critical condition Thursday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ in the passenger seat was in stable condition , Cervantes said .
The officers ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
The tow truck driver and the driver of one of the other vehicles were @ @ @ @ @ treatment .
Their condition was not immediately available .

Four people, including two officers, were taken to hospitals Wednesday night after a collision in South L.A.
Four people, including two Los Angeles police officers, were hospitalized following a multi-vehicle crash in South Los Angeles on Wednesday night, police said.
Two officers were heading in a marked SUV to assist on a call when a tow truck ran a red light in front of them at Main Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard shortly before 10 p.m., said Officer Rosario Cervantes, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department.
The cruiser struck the side of the tow truck and pushed the vehicle into two other cars on the other side of the intersection, Cervantes said.
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The officer driving the patrol SUV remained in critical condition Thursday morning. The officer who was sitting in the passenger seat was in stable condition, Cervantes said. The officers’ names have not been released.
The tow truck driver and the driver of one of the other vehicles were also taken to hospitals for treatment. Their condition was not immediately available.


latimes--2020-06-04--L.A. coronavirus test sites were closed during the protests. That has experts worried

Massive protests across the nation have sparked fears of a second wave of coronavirus cases as thousands of demonstrators gather close together , yelling and holding hands , all of which could amplify the transmission of the deadly virus .
But another problem has emerged in the last week that could also exacerbate the spread of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County : less testing .
Half of the approximately 40 government-run testing sites throughout the county have been shut down at some point since Saturday .
On Thursday , eight were either still closed or operating with reduced hours because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said .
The drop in the number of people tested will hurt the region ’ s response to the outbreak , experts say .
It will also heighten the dangers created by protesting as well as the reopenings of certain businesses that began last week , they said .
“ Why did we stop doing this ?
We ’ re in the middle of a pandemic , ” said Claire Garrido-Ortega , an epidemiology lecturer at Cal State Long Beach .
The closures have drawn ire from some residents , including demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days to speak up against police killings of black people .
Many protesters pointed out that the coronavirus is also killing black people in disproportionately large numbers .
“ It seems wildly irresponsible to close them now , ” said Jack Moore , a TV writer who has attended multiple protests over the last week .
There , protesters passed around hand sanitizer and wore masks , so closing the testing sites — another piece of combating the virus — felt like a slap in the face , he said .
Officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety concerns , following fires and looting over the weekend .
Mayor Eric Garcetti , who made L.A. one of the first cities nationwide to offer universal testing , shut down all city-run testing sites Saturday afternoon , saying volunteers were worried they were in danger .
“ They didn ’ t feel safe and they wanted to leave , ” Garcetti said at a news conference .
The city has kept Dodger Stadium , the biggest testing site , open since Monday , with additional sites reopening every day .
Garcetti said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would reopen Friday .
People throughout the county who had testing appointments at affected sites are being notified so they can reschedule , officials said .
“ Los Angeles County is in the midst of fighting an unprecedented pandemic while also facing a state of emergency that impacts public safety , ” Dr. Christina Ghaly , director of the county ’ s Department of Health Services , said in a statement .
“ We need to ensure our testing sites are safe for both patients and staff.
” Before the protests began , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread and flattening , or even bending down , the curve .
Late last week , officials announced that hair salons as well as restaurants could reopen with new safety regulations .
But the last five days have created circumstances that could undo much of that progress .
Reductions in testing mean a diminished ability to identify sick people so they can be isolated and kept from infecting others .
A large part of the reason cases climbed so quickly in March was a lack of widespread testing to control the epidemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests have led to large numbers of people congregating , standing close together and yelling , which creates opportunities for further spread of the virus , said UCLA epidemiologist Dr. Timothy Brewer .
“ There will likely be an increase in cases , ” he said .
“ But that has to be balanced against the fact that people are worried about other things too — they ’ re worried about democracy , and their ability to voice their opinions , and they ’ re worried about racial injustice.
” Across L.A. County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus this week as of Thursday afternoon , according to the mayor ’ s office .
Last week , approximately 80,000 people were tested , a benchmark that will probably not be met this week , according to county data .
It is possible that the effects of closing some testing sites will be limited because many time slots are regularly not filled .
Typically , only 60 % of testing capacity is used across the county , with the rest unfilled or left unused by no-shows , according to county data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dodger Stadium , which can test 6,000 people a day , could accommodate all appointments that had been made that day for sites across the city .
On Wednesday , the county and state-run sites had the capacity for 6,500 people to get tested , compared with 7,000 people normally , and appointments remained available throughout the day , county officials said .
Even if capacity remains relatively unchanged , the closures are likely to drive down testing numbers simply because they ’ ve sown confusion about what is available , Garrido-Ortega said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives , the mayor announced last week that all asymptomatic people could get tested and then said Monday that all testing sites were closed .
The protests , which Garrido-Ortega said she supports , also seem to have shifted people ’ s attention away from COVID-19 .
She recalled hearing someone recently ask a friend , “ Is the corona still around ?
” Julie Vanderlee , 30 , planned carefully before attending a protest in Long Beach on Sunday .
She wore a mask and stayed on her bicycle so she could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t able to keep enough space between her and others .
She was particularly upset when Long Beach officials suspended testing because of the protests .
Officials said it was for the safety of the medical workers .
“ These are protests for black lives , and black lives are disproportionately being impacted and ended by COVID-19 , ” she said .
“ My decision-making around [ attending the protest ] was around the fact that I knew there was free COVID testing available , and for that to be discontinued is @ @ @ @

Massive protests across the nation have sparked fears of a second wave of coronavirus cases as thousands of demonstrators gather close together, yelling and holding hands, all of which could amplify the transmission of the deadly virus.
But another problem has emerged in the last week that could also exacerbate the spread of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County: less testing.
Half of the approximately 40 government-run testing sites throughout the county have been shut down at some point since Saturday. On Thursday, eight were either still closed or operating with reduced hours because of remaining safety concerns or curfews, officials said.
The drop in the number of people tested will hurt the region’s response to the outbreak, experts say. It will also heighten the dangers created by protesting as well as the reopenings of certain businesses that began last week, they said.
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“Why did we stop doing this? We’re in the middle of a pandemic,” said Claire Garrido-Ortega, an epidemiology lecturer at Cal State Long Beach.
The closures have drawn ire from some residents, including demonstrators who have flooded the streets in recent days to speak up against police killings of black people. Many protesters pointed out that the coronavirus is also killing black people in disproportionately large numbers.
“It seems wildly irresponsible to close them now,” said Jack Moore, a TV writer who has attended multiple protests over the last week. There, protesters passed around hand sanitizer and wore masks, so closing the testing sites — another piece of combating the virus — felt like a slap in the face, he said.
Officials said the testing sites were closed because of safety concerns, following fires and looting over the weekend. Mayor Eric Garcetti, who made L.A. one of the first cities nationwide to offer universal testing, shut down all city-run testing sites Saturday afternoon, saying volunteers were worried they were in danger.
“They didn’t feel safe and they wanted to leave,” Garcetti said at a news conference.
The city has kept Dodger Stadium, the biggest testing site, open since Monday, with additional sites reopening every day. Garcetti said Thursday that all eight city-run testing sites would reopen Friday. People throughout the county who had testing appointments at affected sites are being notified so they can reschedule, officials said.
“Los Angeles County is in the midst of fighting an unprecedented pandemic while also facing a state of emergency that impacts public safety,” Dr. Christina Ghaly, director of the county’s Department of Health Services, said in a statement. “We need to ensure our testing sites are safe for both patients and staff.”
Before the protests began, L.A. County had made significant progress reducing the spread and flattening, or even bending down, the curve. Late last week, officials announced that hair salons as well as restaurants could reopen with new safety regulations.
But the last five days have created circumstances that could undo much of that progress.
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Reductions in testing mean a diminished ability to identify sick people so they can be isolated and kept from infecting others. A large part of the reason cases climbed so quickly in March was a lack of widespread testing to control the epidemic, experts say.
Plus, the protests have led to large numbers of people congregating, standing close together and yelling, which creates opportunities for further spread of the virus, said UCLA epidemiologist Dr. Timothy Brewer.
“There will likely be an increase in cases,” he said. “But that has to be balanced against the fact that people are worried about other things too — they’re worried about democracy, and their ability to voice their opinions, and they’re worried about racial injustice.”
Across L.A. County, 30,000 people had been tested for the virus this week as of Thursday afternoon, according to the mayor’s office. Last week, approximately 80,000 people were tested, a benchmark that will probably not be met this week, according to county data.
It is possible that the effects of closing some testing sites will be limited because many time slots are regularly not filled.
Typically, only 60% of testing capacity is used across the county, with the rest unfilled or left unused by no-shows, according to county data. On Monday, Garcetti said that Dodger Stadium, which can test 6,000 people a day, could accommodate all appointments that had been made that day for sites across the city.
On Wednesday, the county and state-run sites had the capacity for 6,500 people to get tested, compared with 7,000 people normally, and appointments remained available throughout the day, county officials said.
Even if capacity remains relatively unchanged, the closures are likely to drive down testing numbers simply because they’ve sown confusion about what is available, Garrido-Ortega said. In Long Beach, where she lives, the mayor announced last week that all asymptomatic people could get tested and then said Monday that all testing sites were closed.
“It’s a big mess,” she said.
The protests, which Garrido-Ortega said she supports, also seem to have shifted people’s attention away from COVID-19. She recalled hearing someone recently ask a friend, “Is the corona still around?”
Julie Vanderlee, 30, planned carefully before attending a protest in Long Beach on Sunday. She wore a mask and stayed on her bicycle so she could duck out if she felt she wasn’t able to keep enough space between her and others.
She was particularly upset when Long Beach officials suspended testing because of the protests. Officials said it was for the safety of the medical workers.
“These are protests for black lives, and black lives are disproportionately being impacted and ended by COVID-19,” she said. “My decision-making around [attending the protest] was around the fact that I knew there was free COVID testing available, and for that to be discontinued is very concerning.”
Meanwhile, the Board of Supervisors will vote on a motion Tuesday to have the county Department of Public Health develop health guidelines for public protests.
Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, the author of the motion, said in a statement that county law enforcement agencies responding to recent protests “have not always used appropriate and consistent public health practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”