Journalists were among those roughed up as Metropolitan Division's B Platoon moved through MacArthur and fired 148 rubber bullets to break up what had been a peaceful and lawful immigration rally.
Police said they moved in after rocks and bottles were thrown at them by 30 to 40 agitators, he said.
Now, my question is: Was this a peaceful rally or not? Was anybody there who can answer that question? I'll reserve comment until it's clarified.
One thing’s for sure- It didn’t wind up like Florence and whatever that cross street was when LAPD took no action post King verdict. Here they took action. I condemned that inaction. Haven’t heard anyone was hospitalized even overnight here, so big deal.
I am the first to condemn police brutality, but rubber bullets, mace, no lingering injuries. Now an out of control cop breaking kneecaps, a jailer injuring wrists by using cuffs like vise grips, a much different story.
Have your cameraman show a belly welt, li’l miss hussy anchorlady but only if you also show a welt I can make on your neck in 30 seconds of puckering. Neither sting for long.
If they had thrown those things at an abortion clinic or a gay club, it would have been a “violent” demonstration.
Since it was for a politically correct cause like illegal immigration, throwing things at cops becomes “peaceful.”
Just my judgment, of course, but I believe if anyone throws any object with a hard surface at anyone else, whether it’s a rock, a bottle of urine, or a flashlight battery, that can safely be classified as a violent act. This would preclude - again, in my opinion - describing this event as peaceful.
But who’s to say? Some judge appointed by Clinton or Carter might and probably will have a different view.