latimes--2020-06-06--LAPD faces growing criticism for excessive force and poor tactics during protests

The Los Angeles Police Department faces growing criticism over its handling of protests as new videos and images emerged Friday of violent , aggressive behavior by officers .
Mayor Eric Garcetti found himself walking a fine line , criticizing episodes of excessive force that have been captured on video while also defending positive contributions that individual officers and law enforcement investigations have made , such as breaking up human trafficking rings .
He said some of the police tactics seen in the last week have “ no place in the City of Angels.
” A coalition of criminal justice activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city over how police have handled protests following the death of George Floyd , accusing officers of shooting a homeless man in the eye with rubber bullets and holding people for upward of 12 hours for simple curfew violations .
The suit — filed late Friday by the Los Angeles chapter of the National Lawyers Guild , Black Lives Matter and Los Angeles Community Action Network — accused the LAPD of violating protesters ’ right to assemble and using excessive force .
The complaint also provided new information about an image of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in downtown Los Angeles that had gone viral and been shared by many critical of the department over the past week .
The LAPD has not completed a breakdown of arrests during the protests .
Department spokesman Josh Rubenstein estimated that about 2,700 people were arrested between May 29 and Tuesday during the height of the protests ; booking records suggest the majority of those arrests were for failure to obey a dispersal order or curfew violations .
The department has not provided updated arrest figures since Tuesday .
The lawsuit estimated 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looting or other crimes .
Booking records reviewed by The Times earlier this week showed about 150 people had been arrested for looting during that time , approximately 5 % of the overall arrest total .
“ Over the past week , while [ Black Lives Matter Los Angeles ] and its members were engaged in lawful First Amendment activity , the LAPD used force to terminate the protests , including the indiscriminate use of so-called less lethal weapons that caused injury to its members and instilled fear in them that , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to express their opposition to police violence across the nation against black men and women , they would be the subject of such violence and arrest , ” the suit said .
The suit also accused the LAPD of arresting a number of homeless people for curfew violations even though they “ had no place they could go to avoid violating.
” The suit contained a gruesome picture of a homeless man in a wheelchair known as “ Cincinnati ” bleeding from the eye , allegedly after police shot him in the face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it uses less-than-lethal foam projectiles , not rubber bullets .
“ He pleaded with police not to use force on him before being shot in the face , ” the suit claims .
Rubenstein confirmed the incident involving the homeless man is the subject of an Internal Affairs investigation , as are several other widely circulated clips of alleged police misconduct that have surfaced in recent days .
He urged anyone who believes they were the victim of police misconduct to contact Internal Affairs or the Office of the Inspector General , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier this week , LAPD Chief Michel Moore said the department needed to show more force in response to attacks on police officers and reports of looting in various parts of the city .
At least 27 officers have been injured in the last week while responding to protests or looting , including one officer who was hospitalized with a fractured skull .
But in recent days , the LAPD has been criticized for its response to the demonstrations .
Two City Council members and the president of the civilian Police Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have called for a review .
On Friday , Rep. Ted Lieu ( D-Torrance ) also called on the Police Commission to investigate the department ’ s response last week to protests and looting in the Fairfax District .
While the area saw significant looting and police cars being set on fire , footage has also emerged showing officers striking unarmed protesters with batons .
A reporter for L.A. Taco said he was attacked with a baton without provocation , despite declaring himself a member of the press .
“ Folks who loot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are committing crimes and that can not be condoned or tolerated .
At the same time , you can ’ t attribute what some folks did on one day , and then deal with peaceful protesters on a different day and hit them with batons , ” Lieu said Friday .
“ They are a different set of people , so it ’ s not a justification to say just because some people did some looting , therefore we ’ re going to treat all protesters the same.
” Asked about the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up demonstrations , Moore said officers could be justified in using such force if an unlawful assembly is declared because of violence , attacks on officers or destruction of property .
But he said the key was the proportionality of force used and acknowledged at least one incident from last weekend required his involvement to stop officers from being violent .
“ Officers were taking rocks , bottles , other projectiles [ and ] sustaining injuries from members within a very large crowd .
And that crowd , it was the determination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assembly , and that that crowd needed to disperse , ” he said .
“ And what I witnessed was officers resorting to force , including baton strikes to achieve that , and I went personally to the scene and took actions to stop that.
” Still , consequences from the department ’ s actions last weekend continued to surface .
Brooke Fortson , 29 , who said she was peacefully protesting when an LAPD cruiser slammed into her in Pershing Square on Sunday , has filed notice that she plans to sue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LAPD vehicle driving toward a crowd of protesters near 5th and Hill streets Sunday afternoon .
After briefly stopping as protesters tried to get around the car , the car speeds forward , striking at least one person .
Fortson told The Times she suffered bruises across her body after the car struck her in the side .
The LAPD has said protesters were attacking the vehicle , which was responding to a report of a robbery , but television footage does not appear to show that .
Fortson also denied that claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was , after I was hit , I jumped away and I remember hands pulling me toward the curb and asking me if I was OK .
I remember hearing someone yell this is a peaceful protest , everybody kneel , and everybody on the steps kneeled down , ” she said .
“ Largely , the vast majority of people stayed and remained peaceful and deescalated the situation that the cop caused.
” Meanwhile , dozens of protests continued across Southern California .
A Friday afternoon demonstration at Santa Monica City Hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the city police chief , interim city manager and mayor .
Mayor Kevin McKeown and interim City Manager Lane Dilg attempted to address protesters and were met with questions about the use of tear gas last Sunday in Santa Monica and calls to “ We will look at the actions of Sunday ; we will determine what we can do to keep our community safe and facilitate peaceful protest , ” Dilg said .
“ You called in the National Guard !
” one protester shouted .
Police Chief Cynthia Renaud said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died at the hands of police doesn ’ t seem to end , but they stop in Santa Monica .
“ I believe in the peace ; I believe in the community I serve , ” she said .
Then she , the mayor and others took a knee in solidarity with the protesters .
Some in the crowd decried the moment as a photo op .
One protester said if Renaud couldn ’ t admit that violence was used against nonviolent protesters then she should resign .
Times staff writers Alex Wigglesworth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leila Miller contributed to this report .

AN LAPD officer watches for people tossing debris from tall buildings as dozens of protesters are arrested for curfew violations on Broadway.
The Los Angeles Police Department faces growing criticism over its handling of protests as new videos and images emerged Friday of violent, aggressive behavior by officers.
Mayor Eric Garcetti found himself walking a fine line, criticizing episodes of excessive force that have been captured on video while also defending positive contributions that individual officers and law enforcement investigations have made, such as breaking up human trafficking rings. He said some of the police tactics seen in the last week have “no place in the City of Angels.”
A coalition of criminal justice activists and homeless advocates filed a lawsuit against the city over how police have handled protests following the death of George Floyd, accusing officers of shooting a homeless man in the eye with rubber bullets and holding people for upward of 12 hours for simple curfew violations.
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The suit — filed late Friday by the Los Angeles chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, Black Lives Matter and Los Angeles Community Action Network — accused the LAPD of violating protesters’ right to assemble and using excessive force.
1 / 82 A protester dances on top of Donald Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during a demonstration by members of Refuse Fascism who are calling an end to the Trump administration on June 20, 2020. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 82 Deborah Jay Winams cries after singing a song at a Black Lives Matter Los Angeles rally to call for justice in the fatal shooting of Kenneth Ross Jr. by Gardena police in 2018. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 82 People participate in the All Black Lives Matter march in West Hollywood on Sunday, June 14. Thousands of demonstrators marched for racial justice and LGBTQ rights. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 82 A protester waves a rainbow flag on Sunset Boulevard during the All Black Lives Matter march on Sunday. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 82 Thousands hold up signs and march in the All Black Lives Matter solidarity protest on Hollywood Boulevard. The procession started at Hollywood and Highland and moved into West Hollywood. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 82 Jason De Puy of West Hollywood wears a mask that reads “Black Trans Lives Matter” as people fill Hollywood Boulevard during a solidarity march called All Black Lives Matter on Sunday, June 14. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 82 Protesters hold up signs at the All Black Lives Matter march, which was organized by Black LGBTQ leaders and organizations in place of a previously planned event by the group behind LA Pride. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 82 Protesters march, raising fists and signs in the air, on La Brea Avenue in Hollywood on Sunday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 82 The Compton Cowboys ride horseback down South Tamarind Avenue, joining thousand of protesters Sunday during the Compton peace ride, which ended at City Hall. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 10 / 82 Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook speaks to the crowd of protesters and the Compton Cowboys at the end of a peace walk at Compton City Hall on Sunday. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 82 Elijah Estrada, 6, holds up his fist for 8:46, the length of time George Floyd was held down by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, at the conclusion of a peace ride and walk with the Compton Cowboys at Compton City Hall on Sunday. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 12 / 82 A family member of Breonna Taylor, right, is hugged by another woman after speaking to protesters in Beverly Hills Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 13 / 82 A woman tries to get between Black Lives Matter protesters and pro-Trump counter protesters during a demonstration at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 14 / 82 Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief Regina Scott takes knee next to Johnathan Jasper, brother of slain teen Anthony Weber, during a rally in front of LA City Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson’s office Saturday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 15 / 82 A protester yells in front of a Black Lives Matter mural with the names of victims on Fairfax Ave. during a march Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 16 / 82 David Blackgold hugs Huntington Beach police officer K. Wood during a Black Lives Matter protest in Huntington Beach Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 17 / 82 A National Guardsman holds a rose given to him by a protester along Fairfax Ave. during a march Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 18 / 82 A Black Lives Matter protester blows bubbles by a police line in Huntington Beach on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 19 / 82 A protester lies on the ground under his horse with his hands behind his back as demonstrators including some on horseback rally in front of LA City Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson’s office in Los Angeles Saturday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 20 / 82 Tempers flare between Black Lives Matter demonstratiors and pro-Trump counterprotesters in Huntington Beach on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 21 / 82 Black Lives Matter demonstrators raise clenched fist in Huntington Beach on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 22 / 82 Mek Bitul held up a sign with the words, “This Is The Tipping Point!!!” in front of City Hall, joining nearly 1,000 people gathered to protest the death of George Floyd and in support of Black Lives Matter, in downtown Los Angeles. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 23 / 82 Katyana DeCampos, a citizen of France visiting California, marched with a sign with the words “Anti Racism,” joining nearly 1,000 people gathered to protest the death of George Floyd and in support of Black Lives Matter, in downtown Los Angeles. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 24 / 82 Zoe Perkins, 4, of Glendale and her mother brought flowers to the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles to protest the death of George Floyd. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 82 LAPD Chief Michel Moore, left, talks with community leaders outside police headquarters after a candlelight vigil for George Floyd on Friday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 82 A man lays a rose at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 82 Braydon Deauce White, 4, fist-bumps a National Guardsman at LAPD headquarters Thursday morning. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 82 Allison Bracy of Fontana hugs daughter Brielle Bracy, 10, while attending a rally in Riverside on Thursday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 82 A protester drapes himself with a flag during a demonstration in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 82 Gustavo R. Ramirez of Pomona kneels in front of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. statue in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 82 Protesters at Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 82 Crowds gather in downtown L.A. to protest the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. At 9 p.m., for exactly 8 minutes and 46 seconds, protesters shone lights into the sky. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 82 Protesters dance on Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles as a march attracted thousands of people. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 82 Thousands of protesters gather at the Los Angeles Civic Center. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 82 Thousands of protesters gather at the Los Angeles Civic Center. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 82 Thousands of protesters gather at the Los Angeles Civic Center. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 37 / 82 Stephen Chang, 32, left, of Silver Lake, with an American flag draped over his head, joins other demonstrators at the intersection of Spring and Temple streets in downtown Los Angeles, as they protest against L.A. Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey and also demand justice in the death of George Floyd. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 38 / 82 Miles Miles, 8, left, and Memphis Miley, 6, center, of Newport Beach, join protest against racism in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 39 / 82 Protester Vailing high-fives National Guardsmen as they march through Hollywood to demand justice for the killing of George Floyd in Hollywood. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 40 / 82 Protesters march through a residential neighborhood in Hollywood. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 41 / 82 Protesters walk through a residential neighborhood in Hollywood. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 42 / 82 A L.A. Sheriff’s deputy watches as protester Annik Chung holds a sign while cheering on marchers along La Brea Ave. in Hollywood. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 43 / 82 Mustafa-Ali, 27, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, joins other demonstrators as they protest on Spring St. in downtown Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 44 / 82 Paul Villalobos, 28, from Oakland, joins other demonstrators as they protest on Spring St. in downtown Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 45 / 82 A huge crowd gathers in downtown Los Angeles to protest the death of George Floyd and in support of Black Lives Matter. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 46 / 82 Protestors march through downtown Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 47 / 82 Protestors march through downtown Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 48 / 82 Protestors march through downtown Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 49 / 82 Riverside County Sheriff Lt Chris Durham tries to calm nerves after hundreds of demonstrators that marched to the police station protest the death of George Floyd in Moreno Valley. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 50 / 82 In a sign of peace, protesters reach out to Riverside County Sheriff deputies, who were there to enforce an 8pm curfew during a demonstration to protest the death of George Floyd’s in Moreno Valley. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 51 / 82 Hundreds of demonstrators block traffic as they march down both sides of Balboa Blvd. to protest against racism in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 52 / 82 Protesters march through West Hollywood to demand justice for the killing of George Floyd during march on Wednesday. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 53 / 82 Protesters march through West Hollywood to demand justice for the killing of George Floyd during march on Wednesday. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 54 / 82 Protestors rally on the steps Anaheim City Hall steps against last week’s in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 55 / 82 Protestors rally on the steps Anaheim City Hall steps against last week’s in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 56 / 82 Protestors rally on the steps Anaheim City Hall steps against last week’s in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 57 / 82 Protestors rally on the steps Anaheim City Hall steps against last week’s in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 58 / 82 Bando Kev prays along Hollywood Blvd. in front of the National Guard and near TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 59 / 82 A couple promote peace on Highland Ave. in Hollywood as protesters continue to demonstrate. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 60 / 82 Makenzie Anderson, 2, rides on her father, Shawn’s shoulders as they join hundreds of protesters marching throughout downtown. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) 61 / 82 Marcus Owen, yells out chants for George Floyd as hundreds of protesters gather outside City Hall in a daylong protest. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) 62 / 82 Hussain Sharif, left, Mari Drake, and Thomas Rosado chant as they ride along with hundreds of protesters at a downtown demonstration. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) 63 / 82 Hundreds of protesters march throughout downtown ending with many arrested for curfew violations. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) 64 / 82 “Hands up. Don’t shoot,” say hundreds participating in a march against the of George Floyd on Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice onTuesday. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 65 / 82 Members of the California National Guard flash peace signs after protesters had marched by in support of Black Lives Matter in Venice. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 66 / 82 Protesters shoot hoops while taking a break from marching against the death of George Floyd by police on Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice on Tuesday. The basketball hoop was attached to the front of a bus that followed the protest for a while. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 67 / 82 Several hundred protesters take a knee and hold their fists in the air during a moment of silence to honor George Floyd during a peaceful protest march from Manhattan Beach to Hermosa Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 68 / 82 A woman stands next to an image of George Floyd as hundreds participate in a march against the in-custody death of Floyd in Venice. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 69 / 82 Terrence Burney, 36, left, and Commander of the LAPD Operation West Bureau Cory Palka, right, talk together peacefully in front of Getty House in Hancock Park. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 70 / 82 Protestors gather outside Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Hancock Park house as they continue to demonstrate against police brutality. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 71 / 82 Jessica Jordan takes a knee as she joins other protesters at Sunset & Vine in Hollywood on Tuesday. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 72 / 82 A young woman reacts to a group chant, while gathered with a couple hundred people to protest the death of George Floyd and in support of Black Lives Matter, near the Manhattan Beach Pier. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 73 / 82 Jayse Garcia, 27, of Los Angeles takes part in a demonstration in Hollywood. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 74 / 82 Protesters sit in front of National Guardsmen closing Sunset Blvd at Vine Street in Hollywood. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 75 / 82 Mira Ercingoz,16, from Palos Verdes, center in red hat, holds a poster with an image of George Floyd alongside protesters in Manhattan Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 76 / 82 Demonstrators take a knee during protests in Hollywood on Tuesday.
(Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 77 / 82 A mother and daughter pass protestors in Hollywood. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 78 / 82 Several hundred protesters gather to demand justice for George Floyd at the Manhattan Beach Pier Plaza Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 79 / 82 Janie Hill,15, from Lawndale, receives a hug from a friend, following an emotional discussion with a Manhattan Beach Police officer, at the conclusion of a protest in Manhattan Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 80 / 82 LAPD Cmdr. Gerald Woodyard takes a knee with clergy members from the Los Angeles area as they participate in a march and demonstration outside LAPD headquarters in Los Angeles. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 81 / 82 L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti walks out to address protesters and clergy members outside LAPD headquarters on Tuesday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 82 / 82 Several hundred protesters take a knee and hold their fists in the air during a moment of silence to honor George Floyd during a peaceful protest march from Manhattan Beach to Hermosa Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
The complaint also provided new information about an image of a homeless man bleeding from the eye in downtown Los Angeles that had gone viral and been shared by many critical of the department over the past week.
The LAPD has not completed a breakdown of arrests during the protests. Department spokesman Josh Rubenstein estimated that about 2,700 people were arrested between May 29 and Tuesday during the height of the protests; booking records suggest the majority of those arrests were for failure to obey a dispersal order or curfew violations.
The department has not provided updated arrest figures since Tuesday. The lawsuit estimated 3% of the 2,700 arrests were for looting or other crimes. Booking records reviewed by The Times earlier this week showed about 150 people had been arrested for looting during that time, approximately 5% of the overall arrest total.
“Over the past week, while [Black Lives Matter Los Angeles] and its members were engaged in lawful First Amendment activity, the LAPD used force to terminate the protests, including the indiscriminate use of so-called less lethal weapons that caused injury to its members and instilled fear in them that, if they chose to assemble in public spaces to express their opposition to police violence across the nation against black men and women, they would be the subject of such violence and arrest,” the suit said.
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The suit also accused the LAPD of arresting a number of homeless people for curfew violations even though they “had no place they could go to avoid violating.”
The suit contained a gruesome picture of a homeless man in a wheelchair known as “Cincinnati” bleeding from the eye, allegedly after police shot him in the face with rubber bullets. The LAPD has said it uses less-than-lethal foam projectiles, not rubber bullets.
“He pleaded with police not to use force on him before being shot in the face,” the suit claims.
Rubenstein confirmed the incident involving the homeless man is the subject of an Internal Affairs investigation, as are several other widely circulated clips of alleged police misconduct that have surfaced in recent days. He urged anyone who believes they were the victim of police misconduct to contact Internal Affairs or the Office of the Inspector General, but declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Earlier this week, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said the department needed to show more force in response to attacks on police officers and reports of looting in various parts of the city. At least 27 officers have been injured in the last week while responding to protests or looting, including one officer who was hospitalized with a fractured skull.
But in recent days, the LAPD has been criticized for its response to the demonstrations. Two City Council members and the president of the civilian Police Commission, former federal prosecutor Eileen Decker, have called for a review.
On Friday, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) also called on the Police Commission to investigate the department’s response last week to protests and looting in the Fairfax District.
While the area saw significant looting and police cars being set on fire, footage has also emerged showing officers striking unarmed protesters with batons. A reporter for L.A. Taco said he was attacked with a baton without provocation, despite declaring himself a member of the press.
“Folks who loot or commit arson or assault police officers are committing crimes and that cannot be condoned or tolerated. At the same time, you can’t attribute what some folks did on one day, and then deal with peaceful protesters on a different day and hit them with batons,” Lieu said Friday. “They are a different set of people, so it’s not a justification to say just because some people did some looting, therefore we’re going to treat all protesters the same.”
Asked about the use of batons or foam rounds to break up demonstrations, Moore said officers could be justified in using such force if an unlawful assembly is declared because of violence, attacks on officers or destruction of property. But he said the key was the proportionality of force used and acknowledged at least one incident from last weekend required his involvement to stop officers from being violent.
“Officers were taking rocks, bottles, other projectiles [and] sustaining injuries from members within a very large crowd. And that crowd, it was the determination of on-scene commanders that it was an unlawful assembly, and that that crowd needed to disperse,” he said. “And what I witnessed was officers resorting to force, including baton strikes to achieve that, and I went personally to the scene and took actions to stop that.”
Still, consequences from the department’s actions last weekend continued to surface. Brooke Fortson, 29, who said she was peacefully protesting when an LAPD cruiser slammed into her in Pershing Square on Sunday, has filed notice that she plans to sue the city.
Television footage showed an LAPD vehicle driving toward a crowd of protesters near 5th and Hill streets Sunday afternoon. After briefly stopping as protesters tried to get around the car, the car speeds forward, striking at least one person.
Fortson told The Times she suffered bruises across her body after the car struck her in the side. The LAPD has said protesters were attacking the vehicle, which was responding to a report of a robbery, but television footage does not appear to show that. Fortson also denied that claim.
“My experience of what happened was, after I was hit, I jumped away and I remember hands pulling me toward the curb and asking me if I was OK. I remember hearing someone yell this is a peaceful protest, everybody kneel, and everybody on the steps kneeled down,” she said. “Largely, the vast majority of people stayed and remained peaceful and deescalated the situation that the cop caused.”
Meanwhile, dozens of protests continued across Southern California.
A Friday afternoon demonstration at Santa Monica City Hall turned into a raucous Q&A between peaceful protesters and the city police chief, interim city manager and mayor.
Mayor Kevin McKeown and interim City Manager Lane Dilg attempted to address protesters and were met with questions about the use of tear gas last Sunday in Santa Monica and calls to cut the city’s police budget.
“We will look at the actions of Sunday; we will determine what we can do to keep our community safe and facilitate peaceful protest,” Dilg said.
“You called in the National Guard!” one protester shouted.
Police Chief Cynthia Renaud said the list of names of people who died at the hands of police doesn’t seem to end, but they stop in Santa Monica.
“I believe in the peace; I believe in the community I serve,” she said.
Then she, the mayor and others took a knee in solidarity with the protesters. Some in the crowd decried the moment as a photo op. One protester said if Renaud couldn’t admit that violence was used against nonviolent protesters then she should resign.
Times staff writers Alex Wigglesworth, Tony Barboza, Joseph Serna and Leila Miller contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-06-07--Ignore Trump's hypocritical vote-by-mail rants. Protecting voters from coronavirus won't lead to fra

Ignore Trump's hypocritical vote-by-mail rants. Protecting voters from coronavirus won't lead to fraud

California Republicans keep maiming themselves , taking positions directly opposite from where most voters stand .
The latest : They ’ re fighting Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s order to send all registered voters mail ballots for the Nov. 3 election .
Why ?
Because President Trump is against widespread mail voting , although he votes by mail himself .
California Republicans — and too many Republicans everywhere — are Trump lemmings , following him blindly toward the autumn cliff .
Trump , with zilch evidence , claims that mail voting is rife with fraud .
What he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help Democrats — and it well might .
Mail-in ballots make it easier to vote , and Republicans typically vote regardless .
“ If you ever agreed to it , you ’ d never have a Republican elected in this country again , ” Trump said of mail voting on “ Fox and Friends ” in early April .
Never mind that a month later Republican Mike Garcia recaptured a U.S. House seat for the GOP in northeastern Los Angeles County in a special election with all votes cast by mail .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to statewide mail-in voting , ” Trump has tweeted .
“ Tremendous potential for voter fraud and , for whatever reason , doesn ’ t work out well for Republicans.
” Trump might think he has first-hand knowledge of fraud .
The Washington Post reported last week that Trump originally tried to register to vote in Florida while citing the White House as his “ legal residence.
” That ’ s a no-no .
Under Florida law , you have to be a legal resident of that state to vote there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter application and used his Mar-a-Lago golf resort as his legal residence .
Then he voted by mail in the Florida presidential primary .
The Republican Party — both nationally and in California — is suing Newsom , contending he doesn ’ t have the constitutional authority to tamper with federal elections .
They contend “ inactive ” voters — those who haven ’ t cast ballots in the last four years — shouldn ’ t receive one by mail .
But the GOP opposition seems moot .
The Legislature has plenty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are bills pending to send all registered voters mail ballots .
And Friday , one of the authors , Assemblyman Marc Berman ( D-Palo Alto ) , announced he ’ ll amend his measure to place only “ active ” voters on the mail ballot list .
“ Nobody , nobody , nobody has ever said , ‘ Let ’ s mail ballots to inactive voters , ’ ” Berman told the San Francisco Chronicle .
The California GOP ’ s waste-of-energy battle against the Democrats ’ mail-ballot plans is merely the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state voters want .
There ’ s a long subject list that has built up over the years : abortion , gay marriage , illegal immigration , gun control , environmental protection , and so on .
It ’ s why the Republicans ’ share of California voter registration has tumbled to 23.9 % — roughly half the Democrats ’ 45.3 % .
There now are more voters registered as “ No Party Preference , ” 25.1 % , than Republicans .
Only 16 years ago , Republicans were at 35.6 % .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Policy Institute of California shows how far out of touch with voters the GOP is on mail ballots .
Those surveyed were asked what they thought of Newsom ’ s order to send vote-by-mail ballots to all registered voters .
Overall , 73 % of likely voters thought it was a good idea .
By party , 94 % of Democrats liked the plan , but 58 % of Republicans considered it a bad idea .
Among no-party independents , 63 % favored it .
“ The GOP is a circular firing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” says veteran Republican consultant Rob Stutzman .
“ Republican campaigns have historically done well with mail ballots .
Fraud can be guarded against and has been .
“ The U.S .
Postal Service ’ s own data shows that younger voters , who are more likely to vote Democrat , are less likely to use the mail in their lives .
It ’ s a foreign , 20th century medium to them .
Republican voters are older and more likely to want an alternative to in-person voting during COVID-19 concerns.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot push is really about is amplifying Trump ’ s deeply cynical and dangerous propaganda to try to delegitimize the election in the minds of millions of Americans.
” After Trump received fewer popular votes than Hillary Clinton in 2016 but won the presidency in the Electoral College , he claimed millions of people voted illegally .
He created a commission to investigate .
But he shut it down when the commission couldn ’ t find any evidence of fraud .
“ Vote-by-mail has been a proven secure practice in California for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War , ” Democratic Secretary of State Alex Padilla says .
“ The president ’ s claim that mail voting is fraudulent is offensive to not just me , but election officials across California .
But it comes as no surprise .
He ’ s a hypocrite .
He votes by mail .
“ He ’ s really trying to set the stage for challenging any election results he may not like.
” Roughly two-thirds of all California ballots cast in the 2018 general election were mailed .
These are some fraud protections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the envelope containing the ballot , and the signature is matched against the one on the registration file .
Before any vote is counted , the state database is checked to make sure the person isn ’ t voting twice .
This year , voters can sign up to track their ballot — as if it were a UPS package .
Anyway , the best reason for voting by mail this year is to stay away from precinct crowds where the coronavirus might spread .
Republicans should ignore Trump and step onto the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and politically .

An “I Voted” sticker included in a mail-in ballot package in Laguna Niguel, Calif., in 2018.
California Republicans keep maiming themselves, taking positions directly opposite from where most voters stand.
The latest: They’re fighting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order to send all registered voters mail ballots for the Nov. 3 election.
Why? Because President Trump rants against widespread mail voting, although he votes by mail himself. California Republicans — and too many Republicans everywhere — are Trump lemmings, following him blindly toward the autumn cliff.
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Trump, with zilch evidence, claims that mail voting is rife with fraud. What he’s really afraid of is that it will help Democrats — and it well might. Mail-in ballots make it easier to vote — something all Americans should want — and Republicans typically vote regardless of the difficulty.
“If you ever agreed to it, you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again,” Trump said of mail voting on “Fox and Friends” in early April.
Never mind that a month later, Republican Mike Garcia recaptured a U.S. House seat for the GOP in northeastern Los Angeles County in a special election with all of the votes cast by mail.
“Republicans should fight very hard when it comes to statewide mail-in voting,” Trump has tweeted. “Tremendous potential for voter fraud and, for whatever reason, doesn’t work out well for Republicans.”
Trump might think he has first-hand knowledge of fraud.
The Washington Post reported last week that Trump originally tried to register to vote in Florida while citing the White House as his “legal residence.” That’s a no-no. Under Florida law, you have to be a legal resident of that state to vote there.
Later, the president reapplied and listed his Mar-a-Lago golf resort as his legal residence. Then he voted by mail in the Florida presidential primary.
The Republican Party — both nationally and in California — is suing Newsom, claiming he doesn’t have the constitutional authority to tamper with federal elections. They contend “inactive” voters — those who haven’t cast ballots in the last four years — shouldn’t receive one automatically by mail.
But the GOP opposition seems moot. The Legislature has plenty of authority to set election procedures. There are bills pending to send all registered voters mail ballots. And Friday, one of the authors, Assemblyman Marc Berman (D-Palo Alto), announced he’ll amend his measure to make sure only “active” voters are placed on the mail ballot list.
“Nobody, nobody, nobody has ever said, ‘Let’s mail ballots to inactive voters,’” Berman told the San Francisco Chronicle.
The California GOP’s waste-of-energy battling against the Democrats’ mail-ballot plans is merely the latest example of the party opposing what most state voters want. There’s a long list of controversial issues that has built up over the years: abortion, gay marriage, illegal immigration, gun control, environmental protection, and so on.
It’s why the Republicans’ share of California voter registration has tumbled to 23.9% — roughly half the Democrats’ 45.3%. There now are more voters registered as “No Party Preference,” 25.1%, than Republicans. Only 16 years ago, Republicans were at 35.6%.
A new statewide poll by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California shows how far out of touch with voters the GOP is on mail ballots.
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Those surveyed were asked what they thought of Newsom’s order to send vote-by-mail ballots to all registered voters. Overall, 73% of likely voters thought it was a good idea.
By party, 94% of Democrats liked the plan, but 58% of Republicans considered it a bad idea. Among no-party independents, 63% favored it.
“The GOP is a circular firing squad in their assault on mail ballots,” says veteran Republican consultant Rob Stutzman. “Republican campaigns have historically done well with mail ballots. Fraud can be guarded against and has been.
“The U.S. Postal Service’s own data shows that younger voters, who are more likely to vote Democrat, are less likely to use the mail in their lives. It’s a foreign, 20th century medium to them. Republican voters are older and more likely to want an alternative to in-person voting during COVID-19 concerns.”
Stutzman adds: “What the antimail ballot push is really about is amplifying Trump’s deeply cynical and dangerous propaganda to try to delegitimize the election in the minds of millions of Americans.”
After Trump received fewer popular votes than Hillary Clinton in 2016 but won the presidency in the Electoral College, he claimed millions of people voted illegally. He created a commission to investigate. But he shut it down when the commission couldn’t find any evidence of fraud.
“Vote-by-mail has been a proven secure practice in California for many years, dating back to the Civil War,” Democratic Secretary of State Alex Padilla says.
“The president’s claim that mail voting is fraudulent is offensive to not just me, but election officials across California. But it comes as no surprise. He’s a hypocrite. He votes by mail.
“He’s really trying to set the stage for challenging any election results he may not like.”
Roughly two-thirds of all California ballots cast in the 2018 general election were mailed.
These are some fraud protections in place:
The voter must sign the envelope containing the ballot, and the signature is matched against the one on the registration file.
Before any vote is counted, the state database is checked to make sure the person isn’t voting twice.
Voter rolls are regularly purged of dead people.
This year, voters can sign up to track their ballot — as if it were a UPS package.
The best reason for voting by mail this year is to avoid precinct crowds where the coronavirus might spread.
Republicans should ignore Trump and step onto the side that’s healthy — personally and politically.


latimes--2020-06-07--Coronavirus did not spread first from a nail salon. Now when can shops reopen?

The coronavirus did not originate in California from a nail salon as Gov .
Gavin Newsom said last month , according to activists who met privately with the governor ’ s staff earlier this week .
Angry after 80 days of a state lockdown on their businesses , nail salon owners and their supporters are aggressively pushing for the right to reopen .
If restaurants are already serving diners , and if businesses such as gyms and bars are set to resume operating in a matter of days , some are asking “ why not us ?
” On Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying they ’ ve been “ waiting and waiting and waiting.
” “ Families are hurting , crying , losing income daily , ” said Linda Lan , a manicurist from the Bay Area .
“ We still have no idea when we can return.
” Speaking to reporters on May 7 , Newsom said the first person in California to contract the coronavirus through community spread caught it in a nail salon .
He cited the case when asked why personal services , such as nail salons , must remain closed even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses .
Newsom said transmission of the virus occurred even though most salons already had safeguards in place before the coronavirus hit , including the use of face masks and gloves .
But he did not provide details , including when the exposure occurred and where .
This past Friday , state officials said that counties could resume running gyms , day camps , bars and some professional sports as early as next Friday , but specifics remain unclear .
Nail salons were not among the businesses cited for reopening .
Nailing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released a statement calling Newsom ’ s comments “ nothing short of a fiasco ” for business owners .
“ It began with Gov .
Newsom sharing inaccurate information on May 7 with devastating impacts on the beauty industry in California and with far-reaching repercussions across America , ” according to the statement .
The group is led by Tam Nguyen , president of Advance Beauty College in Laguna Hills and Garden Grove ; Ted Nguyen , a public relations executive ; and Johnny Ngo , president of Whale Spa Salon Furniture and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both Ngo and Tam Nguyen say they can not watch “ silently ” as their industry continues to suffer .
They say they worked “ around the clock ” for two months to help prepare strategies to reopen more safely , which they later sent to the governor ’ s team .
They shared a story of a salon owner whose husband is unemployed , with both of their children home from school and who , despairing , contemplated suicide .
Her business is part of an estimated 20 % to 40 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut forever , they said .
“ That acknowledgment that COVID-19 ’ s first case of community spread occurred earlier and not in a nail salon is welcomed news , ” their statement said .
“ We demand that the governor and his office take the necessary steps to restore trust and confidence among the general public and our community in particular .
Our own reservoir of patience is running exceedingly low as we continually seek more transparency and more meaningful engagement from the Newsom administration.
” A representative for Newsom and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
Across the Golden State , there are 11,000 nail salons , with 80 % owned by Vietnamese Americans .
It ’ s also home to more than 110,000 licensed manicurists and 300,000 cosmetologists — who can also do nails , according to Lisa Fu , executive director of the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative .
“ The heartbreaking things we are hearing now that they ’ ve lost their source of income is just incredible , ” she said , leading her group to form an emergency fund to help salon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday ’ s virtual meeting , said her group has been working with the governor ’ s staff , submitting suggested guidelines in hopes of getting the go-ahead “ whenever they are ready .
I completely understand there ’ s economic pressure vs. pressure to stay safe.
” Her grassroots group focuses on health , environmental and social issues faced by a mainly female immigrant and refugee work force .
Among nearly 700 manicurists surveyed this past April and May , 78 % of nail salon employees are low-wage workers — more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all industries .
In May , Newsom had said he meant no harm with his remarks , describing the nail salon industry as “ noble ” and as an “ exit point out of poverty.
” “ I have deep reverence for those entrepreneurs and people that put everything on the line .
I talk about that often , ” he added , later saying state safety guidelines for reopening nail salons would be issued Friday , though business owners say they haven ’ t seen them .
State Assemblyman David Chiu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus and who joined the meeting , said he ’ s certain guidelines will be issued “ soon .
And when they said soon , I take them at face value .
The challenge for so many small business owners who could not apply or receive [ government ] loans is the language — lacking English , they were at a disadvantage .
I think this administration will give real attention to their struggles based on their feedback.
” Stakeholders invited to the meeting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nails industry , said the damage has already been done .
“ Let ’ s focus on what we can do to move forward , ” said Diedre Thu-Ha Nguyen , a Garden Grove council member whose mother toiled in a nail salon for about 20 years and who joined the recent private meeting with Newsom ’ s staff .
“ I will try to bring people back to the table so we can expedite the salons reopening .
”

Organizers of Nailing It for America -- including Suzette Christian, left, Linh Nguyen and brother Tam Nguyen, along with Christie Nguyen and Ha Duong -- meet to talk about how to reopen nail salons safely at Whale Spa Salon Furniture in Huntington Beach.
The coronavirus did not originate in California from a nail salon as Gov. Gavin Newsom said last month, according to activists who met privately with the governor’s staff earlier this week.
Angry after 80 days of a state lockdown on their businesses, nail salon owners and their supporters are aggressively pushing for the right to reopen. If restaurants are already serving diners, and if businesses such as gyms and bars are set to resume operating in a matter of days, some are asking “why not us?”
On Facebook, nail techs echo one another, saying they’ve been “waiting and waiting.”
“Families are hurting, crying, losing income daily,” said Linda Lan, a manicurist from the Bay Area. “We still have no idea when we can return.”
Advertisement
Speaking to reporters on May 7, Newsom said the first person in California to contract the coronavirus through community spread caught it in a nail salon. He cited the case when asked why personal services, such as nail salons, must remain closed even as the state starts to slowly open businesses.
Newsom said transmission of the virus occurred even though most salons already had safeguards in place before the coronavirus hit, including the use of face masks and gloves.
But he did not provide details, including when the exposure occurred and where. This past Friday, state officials said that counties could resume running gyms, day camps, bars and some professional sports as early as next Friday, but specifics remain unclear. Nail salons were not among the businesses cited for reopening.
Nailing it for America, an all-volunteer initiative, released a statement on Saturday calling Newsom’s comments “nothing short of a fiasco” for business owners.
“It began with Gov. Newsom sharing inaccurate information on May 7 with devastating impacts on the beauty industry in California and with far-reaching repercussions across America,” according to the statement. The group is led by Tam Nguyen, president of Advance Beauty College in Laguna Hills and Garden Grove; Ted Nguyen, a public relations executive; and Johnny Ngo, president of Whale Spa Salon Furniture and Skyline Beauty Supply, among others.
In Tuesday’s virtual meeting, Nailing It participants said they heard staff members working for the governor say that May’s announcement about community spread was a mistake.
Advertisement
Both Ngo and Nguyen say they worked “around the clock” for two months to help prepare strategies to reopen more safely, which they later sent to the governor’s team. They also shared a story of a salon owner whose husband is unemployed, with both of their children home from school and who, despairing, contemplated suicide. Her business is part of an estimated 20% to 40% of nail salons that will likely be shut forever, they said.
“That acknowledgment that COVID-19’s first case of community spread occurred earlier and not in a nail salon is welcomed news,” their statement said. “We demand that the governor and his office take the necessary steps to restore trust and confidence among the general public and our community in particular. Our own reservoir of patience is running exceedingly low as we continually seek more transparency and more meaningful engagement from the Newsom administration.”
Jesse Melgar, Newsom’s press secretary, told the Times in an email Monday that the administration “continues to engage with stakeholders in the nail salon industry to gather feedback and participate in constructive dialogue about reopening -- with a focus on public health and safety. We remain committed to keeping the lines of communication open as we look to modify our Stay at Home order.”
Across the Golden State, there are 11,000 nail salons, with 80% owned by Vietnamese Americans. It’s also home to more than 110,000 licensed manicurists and 300,000 cosmetologists — who can also do nails, according to Lisa Fu, executive director of the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative.
“The heartbreaking things we are hearing now that they’ve lost their source of income is just incredible,” she said, leading her group to form an emergency fund to help salon employees.
Fu, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, said her group has been working with the governor’s staff, submitting suggested guidelines in hopes of getting the go-ahead “whenever they are ready. I completely understand there’s economic pressure vs. pressure to stay safe.”
Her grassroots group focuses on health, environmental and social issues faced by a mainly female immigrant and refugee work force. It partnered with the UCLA Labor Center to publish Nail Files, a 2018 report of salon workers and the industry around the U.S., showing that 78% of nail salon employees are low-wage workers — more than double the national rate of 33% for all industries.
In May, Newsom had said he meant no harm with his remarks, describing the nail salon industry as “noble” and as an “exit point out of poverty.”
“I have deep reverence for those entrepreneurs and people that put everything on the line. I talk about that often,” he added, later saying state safety guidelines for reopening nail salons would be issued Friday, though business owners say they haven’t seen them.
State Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco), who chairs California’s Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus and who joined the meeting, said he’s certain guidelines will be issued “soon. And when they said soon, I take them at face value. The challenge for so many small business owners who could not apply or receive [government] loans is the language — lacking English, they were at a disadvantage. I think this administration will give real attention to their struggles based on their feedback.”
Some stakeholders invited to the meeting to talk about impacts of COVID-19 on the nails industry say Newsom may have been given false information by staff, but that damage has already been done.
“Let’s focus on what we can do to move forward,” said Diedre Thu-Ha Nguyen, a Garden Grove council member whose mother toiled in a nail salon for about 20 years and who joined the recent private meeting with Newsom’s staff. “I will try to bring people back to the table so we can expedite the salons reopening.”


latimes--2020-06-06--A letter to readers

A letter to readers

On May 25 , 2020 , George Floyd ’ s breath was forcibly taken away from him , on video , while in police custody .
Since then , protesters in this country , and all over the world , have taken to the streets chanting , “ I can ’ t breathe , ” in a COVID-19 pandemic where the viral infection takes lives by shutting down your lungs so you literally can not breathe .
Doctors and scientists are working on a coronavirus vaccine to save all our lives .
We citizens are called upon to confront the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is no vaccine for racism or prejudice of any kind .
The 2020 protests recall the 1992 Rodney King unrest in Los Angeles and for us , painfully , the 1976 Soweto uprising .
Post-apartheid , South Africa implemented the Truth and Reconciliation Commission , whose work gave voice to the abused and sought to heal the wounds of injustice .
We might learn from their example .
The Los Angeles Times , which we acquired two years ago , returning it to local ownership , is proud to tell the stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters and photojournalists take untold risks to bring the truth to light .
We can not be bystanders and enablers in a crisis .
We must all work toward a peaceful solution so that all Americans can truly be equal under the law .
Peace is hard work , but we can do it .
We are the “ can do ” nation .
We are the “ can do ” state .
We are the “ can do ” city .
Black Lives Matter .

Nearly 1,000 people gather Friday in downtown Los Angeles to protest the death of George Floyd and to support Black Lives Matter.
Dear Reader,
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd’s breath was forcibly taken away from him, on video, while in police custody.
Since then, protesters in this country, and all over the world, have taken to the streets chanting, “I can’t breathe,” in a COVID-19 pandemic where the viral infection takes lives by shutting down your lungs so you literally cannot breathe.
Doctors and scientists are working on a coronavirus vaccine to save all our lives. We citizens are called upon to confront the racism that takes black lives disproportionately. There is no vaccine for racism or prejudice of any kind.
The 2020 protests recall the 1992 Rodney King unrest in Los Angeles and for us, painfully, the 1976 Soweto uprising. Post-apartheid, South Africa implemented the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, whose work gave voice to the abused and sought to heal the wounds of injustice. We might learn from their example.
The Los Angeles Times, which we acquired two years ago, returning it to local ownership, is proud to tell the stories that inform and educate. Our courageous reporters and photojournalists take untold risks to bring the truth to light. We cannot be bystanders and enablers in a crisis. We must all work toward a peaceful solution so that all Americans can truly be equal under the law.
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Peace is hard work, but we can do it. We are the “can do” nation. We are the “can do” state. We are the “can do” city. Black Lives Matter.
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Executive Chairman
Michele Chan Soon-Shiong


latimes--2020-06-06--Community organizer who trains police on bias injured by rubber bullet during protest

Derrick Sanderlin volunteers with a group that trains San Jose Police recruits on how to root out bias and build ties with the community .
Officers ’ actions at a protest against the death of George Floyd last week have him wondering whether the lessons have fallen on deaf ears .
As Sanderlin stood between a line of protesters and police , pleading for the officers to stop shooting rubber bullets into the crowd , one of the officers appeared to take aim directly at his groin and fired .
The 27-year-old community organizer was seriously injured and has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to have children .
“ To see how the protest unfolded really , really disappointed me , ” Sanderlin said Saturday .
“ Because I was holding the tension of already knowing what police relationships were like and also hoping for a change , hoping for something new and good .
And it seems as if they [ the officers ] just didn ’ t get that message.
” San Jose police said they are investigating the incident and reevaluating how they use force to deal with crowds .
The May 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grief to take place in San Jose in response to Floyd ’ s death under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer .
Hundreds of people marched through the streets .
Sanderlin held a sign that read , “ WE R WORTHY OF LIFE.
” “ I had heard about the killing of George Floyd and many others from friends and from the news and it really devastated me , ” Sanderlin said .
“ And I needed a place to sort of express that pain and that anger in a constructive way.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Freeway , blocking traffic .
Their aim was to hold the vehicles on the freeway for about 8 minutes and 46 seconds , the same amount of time Officer Derek Chauvin ’ s knee was pressed into Floyd ’ s neck , Sanderlin said .
At one point , a group of people surrounded a Ford Mustang that had a ‘ Blue Lives Matter ’ license plate holder .
Demonstrators exchanged words with the driver , and someone smashed the car ’ s back windshield .
Sanderlin stepped between the car and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest that aired on ABC7 shows him shooing people away from the vehicle and leaning into the window to speak with the driver .
“ As soon as I heard the glass break , I turned around and was like woah , woah , woah , ” Sanderlin said .
“ He seemed like a nice dude .
I just said , ‘ get out of here , man !
’ He seemed really upset and I didn ’ t want things to escalate further or anyone else to get hurt , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just move along.
” Sanderlin was able to diffuse the incident .
But as the protesters left the freeway to make their way to City Hall , something shifted in the police response to the demonstration , he said .
“ On the way back , it just started to escalate as far as the cops intervening , ” Sanderlin said .
“ They started shooting people point blank with riot guns [ using rubber bullets ] .
Some of them were children , old women , folks who were not in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that as the police use of force intensified , five or six people in the back of the crowd of protesters began throwing bottles and trash at officers .
Still , the vast majority of the protesters remained peaceful , he said .
By then , police had pushed the crowd back to City Hall .
They were on 5th Street , in front of a church .
“ I just turned around for a second and saw a really young woman , probably in her teens , being shot directly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sanderlin said .
Officers were shooting the woman from a distance of about eight to 10 feet away , Sanderlin said .
“ I couldn ’ t stand by and watch anymore , ” he said .
Sanderlin walked sideways toward the line of police , his hands raised , and asked them to stop .
Video footage shows him standing in front of the officers , his arms above his head .
“ They told me to move and I said , ‘ I can ’ t do that , please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Some of the officers began to back off , he said .
“ But a police officer behind them also with a riot gun pointed it directly at me and said ‘ move , ’ ” Sanderlin said .
“ And I sort of shook my head no and held onto my sign across my chest .
And I was just really hoping he wasn ’ t going to shoot me.
” That ’ s when the officer , who was standing no more than 10 feet away , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And after he fired the riot gun , I realized he wasn ’ t aiming for my chest , and it hit me directly in the groin , ” he said .
Sanderlin collapsed .
He looked up and saw the officer discard the spent metal cylinder on the ground in front of him , he said .
At first , he didn ’ t realize the magnitude of the injury and tried to sleep it off .
But two days later , he visited the hospital and learned he needed emergency surgery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surgery was successful , doctors told him the trauma could make it impossible for him to have children .
They said he won ’ t know for sure until he tries .
Sanderlin had to relay the news to his wife , who was waiting in the parking lot due to visitor restrictions made necessary by the coronavirus pandemic .
He recently got a job processing COVID-19 cash relief applications for a nonprofit , and the couple had been hoping to save money and turn their attention toward starting a family within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it ’ s as difficult as anyone can imagine , ” Sanderlin said quietly .
The community organizer also volunteers with a team that provides procedural justice and implicit bias training to classes at the San Jose Police Department Academy .
One of the major lessons is an idea called the community bank of trust .
“ As soon as you put on a uniform , you are opening up an account at the community bank of trust , and that comes with a lot of complicated history , history nationally but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that when people have negative experiences with one police officer , it affects their view of others , as well .
“ And so in the community bank of trust , you can either make deposits or withdrawals of that trust , ” he said .
It was that teaching that came to Sanderlin ’ s mind , he said , as he saw the actions of the police officers at last week ’ s protest .
“ As they started grabbing people and beating on them , putting their knees on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shooting people point blank .
Pushing people .
I just wondered where all of that went , ” he said .
“ ...
I wondered where all of that talk about the community bank of trust was going.
” Sanderlin has retained an attorney , Sarah Marinho , who is preparing a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and police department alleging excessive force .
Marinho said she also brought the incident to the attention of the independent police auditor ’ s office , on whose community advisory board Sanderlin sits .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also reached out to Sanderlin to say he was “ broken up ” about his injury and would look into it , Sanderlin said .
“ Derrick has been a real leader in our communities ’ efforts to reduce bias and discrimination through dialogue , ” Garcia said in a statement .
“ I assured him we will be investigating this incident.
” He said that the police department “ has already begun to evaluate how we deal with crowd control situations , ” including how they deploy projectiles like rubber bullets during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Sam Liccardo on Friday introduced a proposal asking the police department to provide a report on how it decides when to use crowd control methods including projectiles and tear gas , and whether the department recommends banning the use of such projectiles .
Sanderlin said he hopes the city also considers reforms like divesting in funding for the police department and expanding the role of the independent police auditor ’ s office .
He said his ultimate hope is for “ proper justice for families who have already been through much worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping that my story can open up a window for those folks to be seen and to be heard , ” he said .
“ And that the city chooses to care for them and listen to them .
”

Derrick Sanderlin volunteers with a group that trains San Jose Police recruits on how to root out bias and build ties with the community.
Officers’ actions at a protest against the death of George Floyd last week have him wondering whether the lessons have been ignored.
As Sanderlin stood between a line of protesters and police, pleading for the officers to stop shooting rubber bullets into the crowd, one of the officers appeared to take aim directly at his groin and fired.
Advertisement
The 27-year-old community organizer was seriously injured and has been told that he might no longer be able to have children.
“To see how the protest unfolded really, really disappointed me,” Sanderlin said Saturday. “Because I was holding the tension of already knowing what police relationships were like and also hoping for a change, hoping for something new and good. And it seems as if they [the officers] just didn’t get that message.”
San Jose police said they are investigating the incident and reevaluating how they use force to deal with crowds.
The May 29 protest was the first collective airing of grief to take place in San Jose in response to Floyd’s death under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer.
Hundreds of people marched through the streets. Sanderlin held a sign that read, “WE R WORTHY OF LIFE.”
“I had heard about the killing of George Floyd and many others from friends and from the news and it really devastated me,” Sanderlin said. “And I needed a place to sort of express that pain and that anger in a constructive way.”
The protesters spilled onto the 101 Freeway, blocking traffic. Their aim was to hold the vehicles on the freeway for about 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the same amount of time Officer Derek Chauvin’s knee was pressed into Floyd’s neck, Sanderlin said.
Advertisement
At one point, a group of people surrounded a Ford Mustang that had a ‘Blue Lives Matter’ license plate holder. Demonstrators exchanged words with the driver, and someone smashed the car’s back windshield.
Sanderlin stepped between the car and the crowd to mediate. Video of the protest that aired on ABC7 shows him shooing people away from the vehicle and leaning into the window to speak with the driver.
“As soon as I heard the glass break, I turned around and was like woah, woah, woah,” Sanderlin said. “He seemed like a nice dude. I just said, ‘get out of here, man!’ He seemed really upset and I didn’t want things to escalate further or anyone else to get hurt, so I just tried to encourage him to just move along.”
Sanderlin was able to diffuse the incident.
But as the protesters left the freeway to make their way to City Hall, something shifted in the police response to the demonstration, he said.
“On the way back, it just started to escalate as far as the cops intervening,” Sanderlin said. “They started shooting people point blank with riot guns [using rubber bullets]. Some of them were children, old women, folks who were not in any way acting violently against them.”
He said that as the police use of force intensified, five or six people in the back of the crowd of protesters began throwing bottles and trash at officers. Still, the vast majority of the protesters remained peaceful, he said.
By then, police had pushed the crowd back to City Hall. They were on 5th Street, in front of a church.
“I just turned around for a second and saw a really young woman, probably in her teens, being shot directly in the chest,” by rubber bullets, Sanderlin said. Officers were shooting the woman from a distance of about eight to 10 feet away, Sanderlin said.
“I couldn’t stand by and watch anymore,” he said.
Sanderlin walked sideways toward the line of police, his hands raised, and asked them to stop. Video footage shows him standing in front of the officers, his arms above his head.
“They told me to move and I said, ‘I can’t do that, please don’t do this,’” he said.
Some of the officers began to back off, he said.
“But a police officer behind them also with a riot gun pointed it directly at me and said ‘move,’” Sanderlin said. “And I sort of shook my head no and held onto my sign across my chest. And I was just really hoping he wasn’t going to shoot me.”
That’s when the officer, who was standing no more than 10 feet away, opened fire, Sanderlin said.
“And after he fired the riot gun, I realized he wasn’t aiming for my chest, and it hit me directly in the groin,” he said.
Sanderlin collapsed. He looked up and saw the officer discard the spent metal cylinder on the ground in front of him, he said.
At first, he didn’t realize the magnitude of the injury and tried to sleep it off. But two days later, he visited the hospital and learned he needed emergency surgery to repair a ruptured testicle.
Though the surgery was successful, doctors told him the trauma could make it impossible for him to have children. They said he won’t know for sure until he tries.
Sanderlin had to relay the news to his wife, who was waiting in the parking lot due to visitor restrictions made necessary by the coronavirus pandemic. He recently got a job processing COVID-19 cash relief applications for a nonprofit, and the couple had been hoping to save money and turn their attention toward starting a family within the next few years.
“I think it’s as difficult as anyone can imagine,” Sanderlin said quietly.
The community organizer also volunteers with a team that provides procedural justice and implicit bias training to classes at the San Jose Police Department Academy.
One of the major lessons is an idea called the community bank of trust.
“As soon as you put on a uniform, you are opening up an account at the community bank of trust, and that comes with a lot of complicated history, history nationally but also locally,” Sanderlin said, noting that when people have negative experiences with one police officer, it affects their view of others, as well.
“And so in the community bank of trust, you can either make deposits or withdrawals of that trust,” he said.
It was that teaching that came to Sanderlin’s mind, he said, as he saw the actions of the police officers at last week’s protest.
“As they started grabbing people and beating on them, putting their knees on people’s necks and stuff. Shooting people point blank. Pushing people. I just wondered where all of that went,” he said. “... I wondered where all of that talk about the community bank of trust was going.”
Sanderlin has retained an attorney, Sarah Marinho, who is preparing a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and police department alleging excessive force. Marinho said she also brought the incident to the attention of the independent police auditor’s office, on whose community advisory board Sanderlin sits.
San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia has also reached out to Sanderlin to say he was “broken up” about his injury and would look into it, Sanderlin said.
“Derrick has been a real leader in our communities’ efforts to reduce bias and discrimination through dialogue,” Garcia said in a statement. “I assured him we will be investigating this incident.”
He said that the police department “has already begun to evaluate how we deal with crowd control situations,” including how they deploy projectiles like rubber bullets during confrontations.
That comes after San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo on Friday introduced a proposal asking the police department to provide a report on how it decides when to use crowd control methods including projectiles and tear gas, and whether the department recommends banning the use of such projectiles.
“What happened to Derrick Sanderlin was wrong,” Liccardo tweeted Saturday.
Sanderlin said he hopes the city also considers reforms like divesting in funding for the police department and expanding the role of the independent police auditor’s office.
He said his ultimate hope is for “proper justice for families who have already been through much worse than myself.”
“I’m hoping that my story can open up a window for those folks to be seen and to be heard,” he said. “And that the city chooses to care for them and listen to them.”


latimes--2020-06-07--L.A. County coronavirus cases near 64,000 amid protests and reopenings

Los Angeles County reported 1,523 new cases of the coronavirus Sunday and 25 related deaths .
The high number of new cases was in part due to a backlog of test results received from one lab , officials said .
“ Our community is feeling the sadness and loss of so many who have passed away from COVID-19 , ” said Barbara Ferrer , county public health director , in a statement .
“ Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who have passed away.
” The county now has recorded nearly 64,000 cases of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died .
The continued increase comes as hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets to join dozens of sweeping protests against the police killing of George Floyd and other black Americans .
L.A. County is also continuing to ease stay-at-home restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the virus .
Most recently , the county was given the go-ahead to reopen restaurants for in-person dining , and resume services at barbershops and hair salons .
On Sunday , Catholic Archbishop José H. Gomez celebrated the first in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Angels since public services were suspended on March 16 .
County public health officials anticipate an increase in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks because of both the protests and the reopening of businesses and other establishments .
Still , they hope that the increase in those who become sick enough to be hospitalized is not sufficient to overwhelm the healthcare system .
The county has continued to report that the number of hospitalized patients has held roughly steady , with 1,451 confirmed coronavirus patients in county hospitals Sunday .
About @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care , officials said .
Ferrer said earlier this week that anyone who has been in a large crowd , in close contact for at least 15 minutes with people not wearing face coverings , should consider self-quarantining for at least two weeks to see if COVID-19 symptoms develop .
On Sunday , she reiterated the advice .
“ If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 , it ’ s important to know that , because of the long incubation period of the virus , getting tested immediately after exposure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and does not mean you are not infected with COVID-19 , ” she said .
“ It is important to please stay away from others for 14 days after possible exposure.
” The overall percent of people testing positive for the virus in L.A. County also has continued to decline .
As of Sunday , about 696,000 people had been tested and received their results , with about 8 % testing positive .
Many coronavirus testing sites were temporarily shut down or had their hours reduced last week due to safety concerns raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enacted , officials said .
But since it takes several days for results to be returned and reported , it ’ s likely too soon to know how much the closures drove down testing rates .
Orange County , which has taken similar steps toward reopening as L.A. County and also has seen protests , reported 119 new cases of the virus and one related death Sunday , bringing its total to 7,440 cases and 177 deaths .
A total of 297 people were hospitalized , with 129 of them in intensive care @

Worshipers are welcomed back at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday.
Los Angeles County reported 1,523 new cases of the coronavirus Sunday and 25 related deaths. The high number of new cases was in part due to a backlog of test results received from one lab, officials said.
“Our community is feeling the sadness and loss of so many who have passed away from COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, county public health director, in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who have passed away.”
The county now has recorded nearly 64,000 cases of the virus, and more than 2,600 people have died.
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The continued increase comes as hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets to join dozens of sweeping protests against the police killing of George Floyd and other black Americans.
L.A. County is also continuing to ease stay-at-home restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the virus. Most recently, the county was given the go-ahead to reopen restaurants for in-person dining, and resume services at barbershops and hair salons. On Sunday, Catholic Archbishop José H. Gomez celebrated the first in-person Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels since public services were suspended on March 16.
County public health officials anticipate an increase in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks because of both the protests and the reopening of businesses and other establishments. Still, they hope that the increase in those who become sick enough to be hospitalized is not sufficient to overwhelm the healthcare system.
The county has continued to report that the number of hospitalized patients has held roughly steady, with 1,451 confirmed coronavirus patients in county hospitals Sunday. About 30% of them were in intensive care, officials said.
Ferrer said earlier this week that anyone who has been in a large crowd, in close contact for at least 15 minutes with people not wearing face coverings, should consider self-quarantining for at least two weeks to see if COVID-19 symptoms develop.
On Sunday, she reiterated the advice. “If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, it’s important to know that, because of the long incubation period of the virus, getting tested immediately after exposure is likely to yield a negative result and does not mean you are not infected with COVID-19,” she said. “It is important to please stay away from others for 14 days after possible exposure.”
The overall percent of people testing positive for the virus in L.A. County also has continued to decline. As of Sunday, about 696,000 people had been tested and received their results, with about 8% testing positive.
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Many coronavirus testing sites were temporarily shut down or had their hours reduced last week due to safety concerns raised by the protests or curfews that were enacted, officials said. But since it takes several days for results to be returned and reported, it’s likely too soon to know how much the closures drove down testing rates.
Orange County, which has taken similar steps toward reopening as L.A. County and also has seen protests, reported 119 new cases of the virus and one related death Sunday, bringing its total to 7,440 cases and 177 deaths. A total of 297 people were hospitalized, with 129 of them in intensive care.


latimes--2020-06-07--South L.A. still bears the scars of 1992. One resident held an event to beautify it

The neighborhood cleanup started at the corner of Western and Florence avenues and stretched to Manchester Avenue .
It was just blocks from the epicenter of the rioting that exploded in 1992 after a jury cleared four LAPD officers in the beating of Rodney King .
The uprisings left more than 1,000 buildings damaged , with a cost for the wreckage estimated at more than .
On Friday — as protests continued over the death of George Floyd , his neck pinned under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer now charged with second-degree murder — the South L.A. community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizers , from the outset of the Floyd protests , aimed to see that the neighborhood didn ’ t see a repeat of the devastation that occurred a generation ago .
Friday ’ s cleanup , for resident Diamond Jones , 28 , and others , was an important and symbolic step meant to contribute to progress being made in a place they love .
Jones said she felt like South L.A. had “ never recovered from those riots because , if you look at our community , there ’ s still abandoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of jobs.
” Look around , she said , and there ’ s still a shortage of grocery stores or restaurants that offer healthful food .
“ It bothers me that certain [ affluent ] communities , no matter how damaged they are , will be OK , ” but it ’ s not the same for minority neighborhoods , said Jones , a marketing coordinator for Forever 21 and owner of the clothing brand Nior .
Volunteers of all backgrounds — including several Latino residents who live in the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rakes and other supplies to scrub graffiti off discolored walls , pull weeds from the sidewalks and load hefty piles of garbage into a rented dumpster .
( One volunteer even pressure washed the sidewalks . )
Jones called the event a “ peaceful protest ” like the vast majority of demonstrations across the country that teemed with the promise of change .
But there were no signs or chants .
“ We didn ’ t have to chant ‘ No justice , no peace ’ or ‘ Black Lives Matter ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Kayla Austin , 29 , who participated in the cleanup .
Austin ’ s friend Tayona Brown , 28 , added that there was a deep satisfaction in “ coming out here and making a place better.
” As volunteers cleaned public areas along the Western Avenue stretch , several passersby honked their car horns , held out their right fists in solidarity and shared words of appreciation .
A musician who goes by and lives in the area performed on the back of his pickup for volunteers .
Employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water bottles .
And Jack in the Box , where participants initially congregated , opened its doors so those who needed to could use the restroom .
Jones had been concerned that police officers would intervene , but that never happened .
South L.A. 's has been sluggish and uneven .
By comparison , some areas such as Koreatown , which was targeted during the 1992 riots , are now bustling with hip new businesses and high-rise apartment buildings .
Nearly 30 years later , South L.A. , where more than 25 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below the poverty line , has made some progress , but it has been more halting .
Jones said she was grateful that none of the problems with burglary and vandalism that happened in the wake of some of the protests spilled over into South L.A .
But she said sometimes it felt like , in some neighborhoods , there wasn ’ t much more to take .
“ I thank God that nobody came over here to mess it up , but they already know there ’ s nothing over here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s sad that our community looks the way that it does.
” Aaron Clayton , 25 , was driving through the area on Friday when he saw the large group of volunteers and decided to get out and lend a hand .
“ I haven ’ t participated in any of the protests , but if we ’ re going to do something like this in my neighborhood , then , yeah , I ’ m with that , ” he said .
“ I want to do my part and help.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Long Beach learned about the event on social media .
And after a week of protesting , she thought the cleanup would be a good way to continue supporting the cause .
“ I ’ ve been protesting like all week , but it ’ s been really emotionally draining , ” Salazar , 27 , said .
“ I just kind of wanted to do something to help give back to the community that was going to like leave my heart feeling lighter and not more heavy because it ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also an opportunity for some people from outside the neighborhood — and even the U.S. — to dispel negative stereotypes about South L.A. Alana de Freitas , originally from Australia but living in Los Angeles for the last five years , said she heard about the event from one of her friends and attended with a small group .
“ Honestly , I am glad that I came , not just because I ’ m so heartened by everyone coming out and doing their bit , but because I didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ When I was trying to get other people to come down with us , everybody that I mentioned it to was like , ‘ Oh , you ’ re going down there ?
’ and that made me a little bit nervous because I ’ m not from here .
But I ’ m glad that I came down here because it ’ s fine , and I don ’ t feel unsafe here at all.
” At the end of the route , Jones passed out a limited number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 4,000 in donations she raised — to volunteers to eat at black-owned food trucks .
“ Y ’ all can eat at Chick-fil-A tomorrow .
Today , we ’ re supporting the black businesses in this community , ” one organizer declared on a megaphone at the beginning of the event .
A portion of the funds will also be donated to organizations including the NAACP and , a nonprofit that exposes South L.A. residents to innovations in the entertainment and technology industries .
Jones has already received interest from local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union Los Angeles to support doing the cleanups in the area more frequently .
“ I ’ ve never seen anything like this , ” said Alrick Augustine , a local resident and volunteer .
“ These areas are underserved , so we need things like this .
”

Diamond Jones, 28, decided to organize a different protest in South Los Angeles. She asked people to leave their signs at home and instead bring cleaning supplies.
The neighborhood cleanup started at the corner of Western and Florence avenues and stretched to Manchester Avenue. It was just blocks from the epicenter of the rioting that exploded in 1992 after a jury acquitted four LAPD officers in the beating of Rodney King.
The uprisings left more than 1,000 buildings damaged, with a cost for the wreckage estimated at more than $1 billion . On Friday — as protests continued over the death of George Floyd, his neck pinned under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer now charged with second-degree murder — the South L.A. community undertook a local cleanup.
Volunteers pull weeds along in South Los Angeles during community cleanup on Friday, June 5, 2020. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Residents and organizers, from the outset of the Floyd protests, aimed to see that the neighborhood didn’t see a repeat of the devastation that occurred a generation ago. Friday’s cleanup, for resident Diamond Jones, 28, and others, was an important and symbolic step meant to contribute to progress being made in a place they love.
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Jones said she felt like South L.A. had “never recovered from those riots because, if you look at our community, there’s still abandoned buildings, there’s still not a lot of jobs.”
Look around, she said, and there’s still a shortage of grocery stores or restaurants that offer healthful food.
“It bothers me that certain [affluent] communities, no matter how damaged they are, will be OK,” but it’s not the same for minority neighborhoods, said Jones, a marketing coordinator for Forever 21 and owner of the clothing brand Nior.
Diamond Jones thanks volunteers at a community cleanup she organized Friday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Volunteers of all backgrounds — including several Latino residents who live in the area — arrived at the cleanup with brooms, rakes and other supplies to scrub graffiti off discolored walls, pull weeds from the sidewalks and load hefty piles of garbage into a rented dumpster. (One volunteer even pressure washed the sidewalks.)
Jones called the event a “peaceful protest” like the vast majority of demonstrations across the country that teemed with the promise of change. But there were no signs or chants.
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“We didn’t have to chant ‘No justice, no peace’ or ‘Black Lives Matter’ because everybody knows what this is already,” said Kayla Austin, 29, who participated in the cleanup.
Volunteers scrub out grafitti along a stretch of Western Avenue in South Los Angeles on Friday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Austin’s friend Tayona Brown, 28, added that there was a deep satisfaction in “coming out here and making a place better.”
As volunteers cleaned public areas along the Western Avenue stretch, several passersby honked their car horns, held out their right fists in solidarity and shared words of appreciation.
Sheriff Drumman performs for volunteers during Friday’s cleanup. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
A musician who goes by Sheriff Drumman and lives in the area performed on the back of his pickup for volunteers. Employees from a local Family Dollar passed out water bottles. And Jack in the Box, where participants initially congregated, opened its doors so those who needed to could use the restroom.
Jones had been concerned that police officers would intervene, but that never happened.
South L.A.’s economic recovery since the riots has been sluggish and uneven. By comparison, some areas such as Koreatown, which was targeted during the 1992 riots, are now bustling with hip new businesses and high-rise apartment buildings. Nearly 30 years later, South L.A., where more than 25% of residents were reported to be living below the poverty line, has made some progress, but it has been more halting.
Volunteers pull weeds from the sidewalk along Western Avenue. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Jones said she was grateful that none of the problems with burglary and vandalism that happened in the wake of some of the protests spilled over into South L.A. But she said sometimes it felt like, in some neighborhoods, there wasn’t much more to take.
“I thank God that nobody came over here to mess it up, but they already know there’s nothing over here,” Jones said. “It’s sad that our community looks the way that it does.”
Aaron Clayton, 25, was driving through the area on Friday when he saw the large group of volunteers and decided to get out and lend a hand.
“I haven’t participated in any of the protests, but if we’re going to do something like this in my neighborhood, then, yeah, I’m with that,” he said. “I want to do my part and help.”
Volunteers carrying brooms participate in Friday’s cleanup. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Like most participants, Rozlynn Salazar of Long Beach learned about the event on social media. And after a week of protesting, she thought the cleanup would be a good way to continue supporting the cause.
“I’ve been protesting like all week, but it’s been really emotionally draining,” Salazar, 27, said. “I just kind of wanted to do something to help give back to the community that was going to like leave my heart feeling lighter and not more heavy because it’s been a lot for me.”
A woman looks on as volunteers clean a stretch of Western Avenue in South L.A. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
The cleanup was also an opportunity for some people from outside the neighborhood — and even the U.S. — to dispel negative stereotypes about South L.A.
Alana de Freitas, originally from Australia but living in Los Angeles for the last five years, said she heard about the event from one of her friends and attended with a small group.
“Honestly, I am glad that I came, not just because I’m so heartened by everyone coming out and doing their bit, but because I didn’t know anything,” the Brentwood resident said. “When I was trying to get other people to come down with us, everybody that I mentioned it to was like, ‘Oh, you’re going down there?’ and that made me a little bit nervous because I’m not from here. But I’m glad that I came down here because it’s fine, and I don’t feel unsafe here at all.”
At the end of the route, Jones passed out a limited number of food vouchers — from the more than $4,000 in donations she raised — to volunteers to eat at black-owned food trucks.
“Y’all can eat at Chick-fil-A tomorrow. Today, we’re supporting the black businesses in this community,” one organizer declared on a megaphone at the beginning of the event. A portion of the funds will also be donated to organizations including the NAACP and TEC Leimert , a nonprofit that exposes South L.A. residents to innovations in the entertainment and technology industries.
Jones has already received interest from local influencers and businesses such as streetwear brand Union Los Angeles to support doing the cleanups in the area more frequently.
Diamond Jones gets a hug from a supporter on Friday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
“I’ve never seen anything like this, ” said Alrick Augustine, a local resident and volunteer. “These areas are underserved, so we need things like this.”