Los Angeles, Aug. 16 -- They arrived in downtown Los Angeles by the thousands, protesting everything from brutality to breastfeeding and preaching viewpoints from anti-abortion to Armageddon. They came wearing outrageous outfits such as "scalpel lady" and even a Jesus costume. They are the demonstrators of the 2000 Democratic National Convention, and their presence has caused tension and even violence since the event began.
The Democratic National Convention has drawn over 15,000 members of the media to the city of Los Angeles. Demonstrators say this media frenzy is a perfect platform from which to reach a worldwide audience with their various messages.
Commander David J. Kalish, Los Angeles Police Department spokesman, said in a Tuesday morning press conference that over 18,000 people have participated in various protests and marches around the city since Sunday.
"The LAPD is committed to facilitating individuals as they exercise their First Amendment rights while at the same time ensuring public safety and order," he said.
For the most part these protests and marches have been peaceful and in compliance with city ordinances, he added.
The peacefulness of these protests broke down Monday night as convention activities were coming to an end.
At approximately 8:00 p.m., as a rock concert by Rage Against the Machine came to an end, about 1,000 protesters became violent, hurling stones, bottles, containers of urine and a container of an undetermined toxic substance over the perimeter security fence of the convention compound. Some protesters attempted to scale the fence. Many in the crowd were reported to be dressed in "familiar anarchist garb," Kalish said, failing to elaborate.
Immediately, 820 LAPD officers moved into the area, and Deputy Chief Martin Pomery, the police commander on the scene, issued an unlawful assembly order to the crowd.
For 20 minutes the crowd was ordered to disperse. Then at 8:20 p.m. officers moved in and began forcibly dispersing the crowd.
As the police moved in they used impact projectiles, such as rubber bullets, and OC "pepper" spray on protesters.
Approximately seven protestors were arrested for failure to disperse and one protestor was arrested for assaulting an officer.
"Our response was measured, strategic, and appropriate. The crowd was quickly dispersed with minimal property damage," Kalish said. "Regretfully one police horse received a large gash to its rear end during the incident."
As delegates began to exit the convention center the violence had been stemmed, but various protestors remained on street corners claiming police brutality and that the officers had injured many peaceful and innocent people.
A total of 38 protesters have been arrested since convention activities began last Thursday. Protestors have shown up not only around the convention center itself but at local convention-related social events. Partygoers attempting to enter a function held by the Blue Dog Democrats at the Santa Monica Pier Sunday night were surrounded by LAPD officers on horseback to protect them from the large number of demonstrators who showed up at the pier. Protesters chanted and carried signs such as "Al Gore, Corporate Whore".
Despite Monday's violence, protesters still showed up in force Tuesday. A large march held by The Bus Rider's Union ended at the gates of the Staples Center Tuesday afternoon. The BRU is a civil rights and environmental activist group pushing for a better mass transit system in Los Angeles.
Colleen Rau, a Los Angeles resident and BRU member, said Monday's violence has made protesters a little more cautious in their demonstrations, but has not deterred people from coming out to protest.
Robert Dean, who calls himself "Joe pro-lifer on the street" said that "while the police actions seemed a little heavy handed" he will not be deterred from protesting for the rights of unborn children.
However, police say they do not foresee continued violence.
"I've talked to many protesters and they have been mostly very friendly," said Officer Daryl Moore, who patrols outside the convention compound. Monday's violence "hasn't frightened off protesters, the peaceful ones will continue to come and the department will continue to be ready" for the ones who are not peaceful, Moore said.
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