Police Raid Occupy LA
Los Angeles, CA – More than 1000 police raided the Occupy LA encampment here, Nov. 30, at about 12:30 a.m. The massive camp, comprised of more than 400 tents, was constructed on the grounds surrounding L.A. City Hall. The Los Angeles Police Department raid came at the camp from all sides, with some cops emerging from within the city hall.
Over 200 peaceful Occupy LA participants were arrested and bail was set at $5000 per person. Some protesters were pushed to the ground and roughed up. The whole camp was destroyed and personal property such as tents, food and clothing were trashed. There are reports that the coordinated raid may have been planned with the use of undercover agents.
Occupy LA has the support of the majority of the Los Angeles community. Occupy LA will continue the fight and has actions planned for this week.
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa gloated at a Nov. 30 press conference on the police raid.
Many community groups have condemned this attack. The Community Service Organization (CSO) issued a statement, saying, “We condemn the LAPD and Mayor-supported raid and arrests on the Occupy LA camp at L.A. City Hall. We denounce this blatant violation of our right of freedom of speech and assembly. This is another example of the ongoing police/ICE repression poor working class people and activists face daily. We stand in solidarity with those arrested and invite all to protest this police/ICE attack on December 10 [at a] march and rally at the LA Federal Detention Center and the LA Sheriffs Central Jail. Assemble at 9 am at La Placita on Olvera Street, across from the Union Station.”
