KFI (iheart.com); Fox 11 News; Pfc. Sandoval, Ashley Wells, Sheldon S., (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Protesters gather in LA for victim of fatal Memphis police beating
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| We can't be racist. We're Black. And we're cops. |
LOS ANGELES, California (CNS) - Peaceful demonstrators gathered in Downtown Los Angeles, West Long Angeles, and Hollywood on Saturday, one day after property was [spray painted on] defaced at a gathering outside LAPD headquarters to protest the beating death by Black Memphis police officers of a 29-year-old Black man Tyre Nichols.
"A small group has gathered in Downtown Los Angeles. The flow of traffic has not been affected," the department tweeted at 11:23 am Saturday. "The Los Angeles Police Department remains committed to ensuring all can exercise their 1st Amendment Right."
The LAPD later tweeted at 12:15 pm that "another small group" had gathered in the Hollywood area.
Shortly before 2:00 pm, police said the group in downtown Los Angeles "peacefully exercised their 1st Amendment Right and dispersed shortly after. Continue to monitor for updates."
Rodney King's daughter reacts to the police beating of Tyre Nichols
Saturday afternoon, about 200 demonstrators began walking westbound on Wilshire Blvd. from Sepulveda Blvd. in West LA. Police advised the public that traffic may be impacted.
Saturday's demonstrations were peaceful according to early reports, but that wasn't entirely the case Friday night. The gathering at police headquarters developed following the release of graphic video depicting the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols on Jan. 7th.
The five Memphis police officers -- who are also Black [which some people assume would make them immune from anti-Black racism] -- have since been fired and charged with [second degree] murder.
Some in the crowd surrounded parked police cars -- banging on them and smacking windows -- but no arrests were made and most left after being threatened by officers at the scene, authorities said.
LAPD Kops Killed Keenan
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| Keenan Anderson, Tazed to death by LAPD |
Protesters knocked down metal protective barriers and someone spray painted the word "kills" on the building under the words Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Times reported.
"Last night, a group of about 60 people gathered in front of the Los Angeles Police Headquarters Facility to hold a candlelight vigil. The vast majority conducted themselves in a civil manner," LAPD Chief Michel Moore said in a statement Saturday. "A small portion of this group, intent on disruption, later vandalized the building and two police vehicles.
"Fortunately, no police officers or demonstrators were injured. There were no arrests.
"I am proud of the leadership, professionalism, and restraint shown by our people at this incident as they did not succumb to the continuous antagonistic and violent behavior of those from the larger otherwise peaceful group," Chief Moore continued.
"I join our elected officials, community and faith leaders encouraging Angelenos to continue to demonstrate at events in a peaceful manner."
Similar demonstrations took place across the nation Friday night following the release of the video that was widely decried by citizens, elected officials and law enforcement.
"The grotesque actions I watched in the video were incredibly disturbing, cruel and inhumane," Moore said in a separate statement. "To witness former Memphis police officers engaged in such unjustified and excessive force at the expense of Tyre Nichols' life angers me as a police officer, as an American.
"This behavior goes against every principle of the law enforcement profession and is in direct contradiction to the dedication and sacrifice of the vast majority of our members who strive to protect and serve. The violation of trust tarnishes our badge and has a caustic effect on the public's trust."
The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) called the video "shocking and disturbing. "The acts committed have no explanation and illustrate disregard for human life," the group said in a statement.
"Those of us in law enforcement take an oath to uphold the law, but men and women in uniform across this country also go about this daily task while respecting the public. As one of the largest law enforcement unions, ALADS and its members remain committed to working together to continue to build on the improvements we have made in the last two years. Unfortunately, this tragic incident forces all of us to pause and reflect."
Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish called the video "disturbing and appalling."
"As a profession, we are required to de-escalate situations, intervene when necessary and strive to find peaceful resolutions to incidents," Chief Hebeish said. "The actions depicted in the video of the former Memphis police officers are intolerable."
Long Beach police tweeted Saturday that "while there are not any known threats of violence or planned protests today, we have set up our Command Post out of abundance of caution."
Nichols [was murdered, dying] in a hospital three days after [police beat him during a traffic stop] on Jan. 7th. Five Black police officers allegedly [though they are seen on a pole camera committing the crime and laughing and bragging about it on their bodycams] involved in the confrontation and beating of Nichols were fired last week, and all were charged this week with second-degree murder and other offenses.
The video shows the officers repeatedly beating the man, even as he is on the ground. Toward the end, Nichols is heard screaming for his mother.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Nichols' family and also represented George Floyd's family after Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer in May 2020, has hailed Memphis officials for acting swiftly to fire the officers involved and charge them with murder. But he compared the video of Nichols' beating to the infamous 1991 beating of Rodney King by LAPD officers.
"Regrettably, it reminded us of [the] Rodney King video," Crump said. "Regrettably, unlike Rodney King, Tyre didn't survive."
King's beating led to an overhauling of LAPD management and ultimately sparked the 1992 Los Angeles riots that left more than 60 people dead and caused more than $1 billion in damage.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement saying her heart "aches for Tyre's family and all who loved him."
"Our country has a problem that we cannot run away from -- we must confront it," Bass said. "All communities deserve police that will always protect them. It is commendable that the Police Chief and officials in Memphis fired, arrested and filed murder charges against these officers. True justice, however, is not a guilty verdict. True justice would be Tyre being alive today. As the people of Los Angeles process and react to this horrific killing, we must move with purpose and peace."
California Gov. Gavin Newsom sent condolences to Nichol's family and friends and said he should be alive Saturday.
"The video released shows abhorrent behavior and these officers must be held accountable for their deadly actions and clear abuse of power," the governor said in a statement Friday. "Today, we are a country in mourning, and must continue our work nationwide to push reforms to prevent excessive use of force and save lives."
Law enforcement agencies across the Southland [Southern California] were on standby throughout the day Friday awaiting the release of the video by Memphis officials, prepared to respond to any protests that might result.
Chief Moore said in his statement the LAPD was prepared to "facilitate" peaceful protests [that is to say, beat anyone they deem not peaceful enough], and he asked residents to "remain peaceful [or else] and unified in their expression of outrage [just not too much outrage]." More
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