Community | April 17, 2010 | 59 comments

Breaking News: Police Gear Up For White Supremacist Rally in Los Angeles - Violence Has Already Erupted - Updates Being Added

source: http://cbs2.com/breakingnewsalerts/protest.nazi.rally.2.1639389.html

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EthicalVegan
Apr 17, 2010 1:13 pm US/Pacific
Police Gear Up For White Supremacist Rally
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―

http://cbs2.com/breakingnewsalerts/protest.nazi.rally.2.1639389.html


Violence has erupted after hundreds of counter-protestors carrying anti-Nazi signs have gathered in downtown Los Angeles where a white supremacist group is rallying.

Before a group of neo-Nazis arrived for their scheduled rally at City Hall, some of the counter-protesters beat up a man with Nazi skin tattoos who had antagonized the crowd.

He was moved down the street by an angry mob of protestors, who beat him with signs, causing him to bleed from the head.

Police formed a wedge and took the man away. Officers with riot helmets strapped to their belts stood between the crowd and the steps of City Hall.

The neo-Nazis waved American flags and a banner with a swastika.

Forty-year-old Michael Arnold held a sign that said "Defend Human Rights" and said he was there protest racism.

Police have cordoned off the south lawn of City Hall and blocked Spring Street at First Street.

No arrests have been made.





http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0133ecc19dee970b-800wi



http://llnw.image.cbslocal.com/18/2010/04/14/175x131/LAPD.jpg



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59 comments // Breaking News: Police Gear Up For White Supremacist Rally in Los Angeles - Violence Has Already Erupted - Updates Being Added

  • bailey78
  • CaptB
  • Dagum
    • +6
      Dagum  

    • Sadly, this incident and photos of groups of immigrants beating on one white guy, while screaming in Spanish and English, will must likely be used as neo-nazi recruitment propaganda and give their adherents or sympathizers a twisted sense of justification.

    • 2 years ago
  • HaloedGriot
    • 0
      HaloedGriot  
    • Dagum:

      Ya know? They will probably say the White guy was trying to educate those people about the "proud White man's history" when he was assaulted for no reason at all.

    • 2 years ago
  • Omnomynous
  • Allorno1
  • animalia_libero
  • Allorno1
    • +1
      Allorno1  
    • animalia_libero:

      I'm not condoning their actions or trying to take away from the atrocities they've committed, I'm simply trying to re-enforce the point that real solutions and resolutions aren't derived from retaliatory violence. (Peace Sign Raised High)

    • 2 years ago
  • animalia_libero
  • Allorno1
  • Introspective
    • +3
      Introspective  

    • like most in here, i too am a passionate believer in free speech...but its not very difficult fo me to equate the spouting of Nazi ideology to "fire in the theater"...

    • 2 years ago
  • usman6
    • +5
      usman6  

    • Both sides are showing that even though we're in the 21st century, we're still fighting our neighbors for no reasons.

    • 2 years ago
  • Peloquin
    • 0
      Peloquin  

    • This seems to be very isolated, but meant to give the impression it's because of the tea party movement. Is it coincedence that the tea party has been portrayed as inflammatory and this story appears? This is a very fringe, very small group. This story is set up to illustrate the kind of people that are allowed in the tea party. It's all propaganda to cover these guys, and it's propaganda from these "neo-nazis".

      I don't know if it's orchestrated, but it's well timed. I don't even care too much for the current manifestation of the tea party, I think it hasn't quite formed - there are powerful people who don't want it to.

      The fact that the police knew there was an anti-neo-nazi group coming to basically attack them outright is almost surreal. They were prepared, so only one neo-nazi got hurt. Most people will leave it at that, but with the slight mental influence of thinking of nazis, and associating it with the tea party. Conspiracy? Nah, just desktop publishing.

      The police are the anti-anti-neo-nazis here, but we can defend them. They aren't just protection for human life, they represent the people of this country's desire to protect human life, and free speech. It's not really something that went "wrong", just like the parties I've been to. "My momma is a what?" can only lead to more violence.

    • 2 years ago
  • HaloedGriot
    • 0
      HaloedGriot  

    • People who hate, attract to themselves more hate...simple as that. When all these White supremacists talk about race wars, they shouldn't be surprised to find people willing to fight it out with them, right then and there.

    • 2 years ago
  • Peloquin
  • HaloedGriot
  • Kurta
    • +2
      Kurta  

    • It's amazing these assholes are still around in this day and age. I can,in most cases, understand religious debates and politcal theater but I will NEVER understand the white power movement.

      I offer the same suggestion I give to religious fundamentalists: Pool your funds and buy a sizable island where you can be alone with like-minded people and live in whatever your idea of harmony is.

      Diversity is the spice of life in my opinion. I guess these guys never heard Miles Davis.

    • 2 years ago
  • EthicalVegan
  • zeropiate
  • panichead
  • Omnomynous
  • chinese_democracy
    • 0
      chinese_democracy  

    • It's people like the Neo-Nazis that make it so hard to defend right to free speech. The constant stream of verbal diarrhea that spews from the mouths of people like this that makes it so easy for politicians to put a damper on our rights or even revoke them.

    • 2 years ago
  • CaptB
    • +4
      CaptB  

    • The ACLU in a controversial decision to represent some Nazi's to march through a Jewish town (Skokie) in 1977 angered many people. I do not agree with their views and find intolerance disgusting, I want these people and every American the right to free speech. As long as it fits within the tenets of the law, as an example you can't yell fire in a theater.

      Otherwise, if we begin stifling first amendment rights the likes of Cheney will have all liberals locked up. We need freedom for everyone's speech, even those that are unpopular.

    • 2 years ago
  • bailey78
  • blocka
    • -2
      blocka  

    • These is false reporting. You know atleast 100 people have been arrested. I have been to three of these "gatherings" as a counter protester of course and every time cops are arresting and beating everything in site. DC was nuts and Orlando was lame.

    • 2 years ago
  • EthicalVegan
    • 0
      EthicalVegan  
    • blocka:

      This is the breaking news, as reported from mostly Los Angeles' local tv news stations and newspapers. You'll notice that when I submit news articles, I always include the date and time of the article that has been published on its website.

      I personally did not know that 100 people had been arrested -- how did you find that out? Would you kindly contribute the article or source, as we want updates (of course)? It'd be appreciated.

      And are you stating that you know for a fact that 100 people, minimum, have indeed been arrested specifically at the Los Angeles City Hall rally, TODAY, the 16th of April? Were you there? And do you have photos you took of the cops "arresting and beating everything in site?"

      Please include your actual report. This is really something.

    • 2 years ago
  • EthicalVegan
    • 0
      EthicalVegan  
    • EthicalVegan:

      Okay, no sooner said than done, I took a quick break, went to the Los Angeles Times' website, and here's that paper's article, in its entirety, including the headline, just as it was published a short time ago.........

      I'm reading there were five arrests, not over 100. But if you were there, do tell, do tell. Better information is always better.
      _______________________________

      White supremacist rally ends with five arrests and two assaults, police say

      [Updated]
      April 17, 2010 | 4:34 pm pdt

      _______________________________

      A white supremacist rally on the lawn of Los Angeles City Hall ended with a handful of arrests Saturday afternoon as counter-protesters showered police and white supremacists with rocks, bottles and other debris.

      [Update, 4:50 p.m.: All five people arrested were counter-protesters, police say.]

      A rally by 40 members of a group calling itself the National Socialist Movement drew hundreds of counter-protesters from throughout the region. In the hours leading up to the rally, where members called for the removal of all nonwhites from America's southwest, counter-protesters scuffled with people perceived to be sympathizing with the white supremacists' message.

      One man, who sported Nazi tattoos, was severely beaten near City Hall while another man, who carried a confusing sign about religion with a scribbled swastika, was pummeled by a mob of people on Spring Street between 1st and 2nd.
      The Los Angeles Police Department went on tactical alert during the event and took responsibility for escorting the white supremacists to and from the demonstration site. Earlier in the week the group had obtained a permit for the demonstration.

      At the end of the rally, after 2:30 p.m., police escorted the white supremacists to the criminal courts building parking lot to get in their vehicles. However, one car failed to start. A crowd of counter-demonstrators ran to the lot and began hurling rocks and bottles into the parking lot's southwest corner, hitting cars and shattering glass. As some of the white supremacists held shields emblazoned with swastikas over their heads to protect them from the projectiles, others attempted to jump-start the car.

      The LAPD then order the crowd to disperse and reopened the streets.

      Commander David Doan said the LAPD's goal was to ensure that everyone was allowed to exercise free speech while avoiding any use of force by officers. “There was a tremendous amount of restraint shown by our officers,” he said. “We allowed both sides to exercise their 1st Amendment rights.”

      Doan said it was a frustrating situation for LAPD officers. “We took some rocks and bottles when they arrived and we took some again when the car had some trouble starting.”

      The two people assaulted in the crowd have been treated for their injuries and released, Doan said. The LAPD is not providing a crowd estimate, but Doan said the department had more than enough officers on hand.

      The department issued a tactical alert as a precaution, Doan said, to ensure it had adequate staffing. “I am very happy. Our people did an outstanding job,” the incident commander said.

      -- Richard Winton and Robert Faturechi, Los Angeles Times

      ______________________________________________

    • 2 years ago
  • Kitten_Moon
  • spanishinquistion
  • Peloquin
    • -1
      Peloquin  
    • spanishinquistion:

      I don't believe you believe that. I think you just want attention, and should have a rally to get it. Pretending to be a communist is fine, but you know you'd be the person that reported me to the KGB for writing this letter. You'd also be the person who's fence I'd burn to keep warm when the centralized government put all the resources into the military, and the entitlements kind of "dwindle".

    • 2 years ago
  • spanishinquistion
  • EthicalVegan
  • spanishinquistion
  • bailey78
  • UtopianSky
    • +2
      UtopianSky  

    • I may not agree with what you have to say,
      But I will defend to the death your right to say it.

      Well, maybe I should rephrase:

      I definitely, completely strongly disagree with what you have to say,
      But I believe in your right to say it,
      Even so I would not give you nutjobs the time of day.

    • 2 years ago
  • bailey78
  • UtopianSky
  • bailey78
  • UtopianSky
  • boywhocould
    • 0
      boywhocould  

    • this might have been inevitable so poor choice on the Neo's side, but i find it funny that we cant have freedom of speech if enough violent people wielding blunt objects dislike your message

    • 2 years ago
  • Atalanda_Cameron
  • EthicalVegan
  • CalgarC
  • EthicalVegan
    • +2
      EthicalVegan  
    • CalgarC:

      Yes, but us folks from the Civil Rights Movement, the Anti-Vietnam War Movement, were taught never to promote violence. I'm having a very difficult (and disappointing) time with this one, since an anti-rally person did in fact make the first blow. That's not how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught us, and it's not the way my parents raised me.

    • 2 years ago
  • EthicalVegan
  • CalgarC
  • GodsnLiberals
    • -4
      GodsnLiberals  
    • CalgarC:

      maybe if you can sober up a bit a realize that this all symbolic...a single white man being beaten by several people..who may i add is violating his rights to free speech and expression..I despise neo-nazis as much or more than i despise whiny bleeding heart liberals..they have rights too...there are repercussion to this..and or course you are too high to realize that..

      HONESTLY..how many neo-nazis do you see in los angeles terrorizing immigrants and neighborhoods.??the very people who are attacking this piece of shit are the same people who create gangs or do drive by shootings who attack homosexuals in west hollywood...they prey on the weak..specially weak minded dope heads..

    • 2 years ago
  • EthicalVegan
    • 0
      EthicalVegan  
    • Image

    • http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-nazi-group,0,236942.story

      Neo-Nazi Rally Draws Hundreds of Counter-Protesters
      Protest groups are planning their own anti-hate demonstration.

      KTLA News

      12:19 PM PDT, April 17, 2010
      White supremacist rally draws hundreds of counter-protesters

      *
      Nazis and Protesters to Meet at City Hall Nazis and Protesters to Meet at City Hall Video
      *

      LOS ANGELES -- Dueling rallies are expected Saturday outside Los Angeles City Hall, held by the National Socialist Movement and various groups opposing the neo-Nazi organization.

      Several hundred counter-protesters with bullhorns and signs arrived Saturday morning, several hours before the NSM rally even began.

      The Los Angeles Police Department plans to maintain a heavy presence around the civic center.

      Police blocked off through traffic on Spring Street at 1st Street Saturday morning, and taped off much of City Hall's perimeter.

      Among the counter-protesters were about a dozen members of the Black Riders, an African American group, turned out in black berets and dark sunglasses. They held a red, black and green flag with an outline in the shape of Africa.

      A labor group shouted slogans though a bullhorn, saying “Nazis, go home!”

      The planned NSM rally has drawn fire from activists and community leaders.

      Members of the Jewish Labor Committee, Union del Barrio, the Southern California Immigration Coalition, riKu Matsuda and 25 other groups asked Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa to pull the plug on the National Socialist Movement's rally.

      An LAPD spokeswoman said a permit for 150 people was issued in March to the group.

      The NSM has hosted similar rallies in Riverside and San Diego as well.

      According to NSM leaders, the rally is being held to remember the birthday of Adolph Hitler, the former German leader of the Nazi Party. Hitler's actual birthday is not until the 20th of April.

      According to Danielle Heck, a spokeswoman for the community groups, the National Socialist Movement group should not be allowed to hold its demonstration because their speech is focused on hate and violence.

      Heck expects thousands of people from opposing groups to gather Saturday as well.

      The National Socialist Movement regional director, Jeffrey Russell Hall declares the First Amendment, which allows the group the right to gather at City Hall. He also tells KTLA that, in spite of the fact his group is observing the birthday of Hitler, they are not a Neo-Nazi group.

    • 2 years ago
  • EthicalVegan
    • 0
      EthicalVegan  
    • Image

    • http://www.latimes.com/media/alternatethumbnails/photo/2010-04/53358940-17130355...

      http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/04/lapd-enters-tactical-alert-as-whit...

      LAPD enters tactical alert as white supremacist rally prepares to start

      April 17, 2010 | 12:24 pm

      With a group of white supremacists yet to show up for a planned rally on the lawn of City Hall, at least two people have been injured in a steadily growing crowd of counter-protesters -- developments that prompted the Los Angeles Police Department to enter tactical alert.

      Some 150 white supremacists are scheduled to rally at the City Hall's north lawn at 1:30 p.m. More than 300 counter-protesters began to assemble there several hours earlier.

      Just before noon, a bare-chested, middle-aged man with Nazi insignias tattooed to his chest and back entered a crowd of counter-demonstrators near the corner of First and Spring streets.

      Counter-demonstrators surrounded him, chanting, "Nazi scum." One pushed a sign in his face and another jostled him. He was bobbing his head mockingly as the crowd chanted, when pushing suddenly broke out and about a dozen protesters began showering him with punches and kicks as he fell. The wood handle of one sign was smashed so hard into his back it snapped.
      Other protesters tried to protect the man. "You can't fight hate with hate," shouted one.

      After about a 15-second beating, an undercover police officer began shouting and flashed his badge. He pulled the man, bleeding from a gaping wound in the back of his neck, from the mob and past the yellow tape blocking the protesters.

      In another area, a woman collapsed and was taken away by paramedics. It was not clear why she had collapsed.

      -- Robert Faturechi and Richard Winton

      Photo credit: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times

      http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0133ecc1a0f4970b-320wi

      http://llnw.image.cbslocal.com/18/2010/04/14/175x131/LAPD.jpg

    • 2 years ago
  • EthicalVegan
    • 0
      EthicalVegan  
    • Image
    • EthicalVegan:

      UPDATE FROM NBC/Los Angeles:

      http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/White-Supremacist-Rally-Comes-to-Ci...

      White Supremacist Rally Comes to City Hall
      Riot police try to keep order at white supremacist rally
      By JOHN ADAMS
      Updated 2:15 PM PDT, Sat, Apr 17, 2010

      Police in riot gear formed a line in front of a crowd of about 500 people gathered south of City Hall Saturday to protest a white supremacist rally, and the counter-protest began with a bloody incident.

      Police citywide were on tactical alert in case wide-scale trouble broke out when members of the National Socialist Movement exercised their First Amendment rights, as affirmed in a city parade permit, for a white power demonstration at City Hall.

      Before a group of neo-Nazis arrived for their scheduled rally at City Hall, some of the counter-protesters beat up a man with Nazi skin tattoos who had antagonized the crowd. He was moved down the street by an angry mob of protestors, who beat him with signs, causing him to bleed from the head.

      Police formed a wedge and took the man away, and no arrests were made.

      The counter-protesters, estimated by a Los Angeles police officer to be about 500 people, were gathered on the sidewalk, many carrying signs and chanting slogans in English and Spanish, about 30 minutes before the neo-Nazi rally was to begin at 12:30 p.m.

      "It's just one group of racists protesting another group of racists," said an officer.

      A line of officers in riot gear stood behind yellow tape, which cordoned off the south lawn of City Hall, where the neo-Nazis will gather. An officer across the street, at LAPD headquarters, said he did not expect any violence.

      A crowd of bystanders and officers formed on the street in front of police headquarters to view the demonstrators on the other side of First Street, which was blocked off between Broadway and Main Street.

    • 2 years ago
  • EthicalVegan
    • 0
      EthicalVegan  
    • EthicalVegan:

      THIS article is behind the times/Times (literally and figuratively)...

      Man with Nazi tattoos beaten at City Hall rally

      Daily News
      Updated: 04/17/2010 01:36:36 PM PDT

      Police in riot gear formed a line in front of a crowd of about 500 people gathered south of City Hall Saturday to protest a white supremacist rally, and the counter-protest began with a bloody incident.

      Police citywide were on tactical alert in case wide-scale trouble broke out when members of the National Socialist Movement exercised their First Amendment rights, as affirmed in a city parade permit, for a white power demonstration at City Hall.

      Before a group of neo-Nazis arrived for their scheduled rally at City Hall, some of the counterprotesters beat up a man with Nazi skin tattoos who had antagonized the crowd. He was moved down the street by an angry mob of protestors, who beat him with signs, causing him to bleed from the head.

      Police formed a wedge and took the man away, and no arrests were made.

      The counterprotesters, estimated by a Los Angeles police officer to be about 500 people, were gathered on the sidewalk, many carrying signs and chanting slogans in English and Spanish, about 30 minutes before the neo-Nazi rally was to begin at 12:30 p.m.

      "It's just one group of racists protesting another group of racists," an officer said.

      A line of officers in riot gear stood behind yellow tape, which cordoned off the south lawn of City Hall, where the neo-Nazis will gather. An officer across the street, at LAPD headquarters, said he did not expect any violence.

      A crowd of bystanders and officers formed on the
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      street in front of police headquarters to view the demonstrators on the other side of First Street, which was blocked off between Broadway and Main Street.

    • 2 years ago
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