Posted on 08/27/2005 9:10:39 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
LOS ANGELES -- The day after being arrested for allegedly hitting a police officer, Nation of Islam Minister Tony Muhammad said Friday "nothing's changed in 40 years" in the way Los Angeles police treat minorities.
"We might as well stand up today, rise up and start a movement now," said Muhammad, whose face was visibly swollen.
A crowd cheered and gathered around Muhammad as he left the LAPD's 77th Division after being released on $20,000 bond early Friday.
Violence in the Hyde Park area and Muhammad's arrest prompted a response Friday afternoon from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the LAPD.
Muhammad was arrested for allegedly hitting a police officer during a confrontation at a vigil for a man who had been fatally shot the night before in Hyde Park. The vigil was at the scene of the shooting, at 63rd Street and 10th Avenue. Asst. Chief Jim McDonald said Thursday night's violence began when officers noticed two sport-utility vehicles double-parked and blocking 10th Avenue.
"Officers asked the occupants to move the trucks, and they were surrounded and assaulted," McDonald said. "Minister Tony Muhammad became quite belligerent with the officers and joined in the assault. Officers retreated and put out a call for assistance. When help arrived an arrest team was sent in. There was a struggle and Minister Muhammad was arrested for battery on a police officer."
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa conducted a news conference Friday afternoon with Los Angeles Police Commission President John Mack. Villaraigosa said he spoke with Muhammad Thursday morning. He said he expressed concern for the minister's health.
"We're outraged at communities being devastated by violence," said Villaraigosa. "All of us in the community and police department have to work together to address that violence. We must not turn on each other.
"Let me be clear -- no one is above the law. Not a politician, not a priest, not a criminal, not a police officer. We are all accountable for our actions." - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
"We will conduct a full and complete review of this matter. We'll move forward from there. Let me be clear -- no one is above the law. Not a politician, not a priest, not a criminal, not a police officer. We are all accountable for our actions."
In a news conference earlier Friday, Muhammad's supporters claimed police used unnecessary force during the arrest.
"The police attacked this brother for no good reason, and we are going to take justice, and nothing else will do," said Danny Bakewell, president of the Brotherhood Crusade and co-publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel.
After Wednesday night's shooting, onlookers had become outraged when paramedics put a sheet over a Nahun Beiard, a 21-year-old victim who appeared to be alive. The Fire Department said paramedics tried to revive the man because the angry crowd was demanding it, but there was no mistake. They said the man was already dead but may have had an involuntary reflex that caused his body to move.
When officers tried to take Muhammad into custody, they said, two bodyguards attacked them, and about 100 officers responded to the scene. The bodyguards, who remained behind bars after Muhammad's release, were identified by police as Marcus Mohammed and Steven Mohammed. Both face possible charges of resisting or obstructing an officer.
"During the struggle with the minister and bodyguards, two Astro radios that officers carry on their belts, along with a flashlight were stolen," a police spokesman said. "One officer had the name tag on his shirt ripped off his body, and two officers received minor injuries."
Another unrelated shooting took place at a nearby apartment complex at about 5 p.m. Thursday, and although nobody was hurt in that shooting, officers responding to the confrontation at the vigil were put on tactical alert to control the crowd. Helmeted officers blocked off streets and ordered residents to go back home.
The tactical alert was called off late Thursday night.
The time has come to cordon off bad sections of L.A. and let the residents handle their own affairs.
It's called "entrapment", only this time the bad guys set up the Police.
Antonio Villaraigosa ran for mayor in part on the platform that he could manage law enforcement better and with more racial harmony than Jim Hahn did.
How's that workin' for ya, Tone?
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
If they attack our police officers, then what's the difference between a Muhammad, a Mohammed, and a run of the mill Muslim Jihadist?
None, they should all be shot on sight.
Why did El Mayor use the word "priest" when listing categories of persons who are not above the law? Clearly Muhammad is identified as a "minister", there are certainly more ministers than priests in LA, is El Mayor being PC or doing some some subtle Catholic-bashing?
"In a news conference earlier Friday, Muhammad's supporters claimed police used unnecessary force during the arrest."
To these people, ANY force is unnecessary force. They believe they are indeed above the law.
Which means its no longer "entrapment". It's now "exposure"[of police racism].
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