Pubdate: Mon, 23 Oct 2000
Source: Associated Press
Copyright: 2000 Associated Press
Author: Leon Drouin Keith

L.A. POLICE PROTESTERS ARRESTED

Three people were arrested and rubber bullets were fired when hundreds of 
black-clad marchers protesting police brutality clashed with police 
officers. Protesters who rallied at police headquarters Sunday said 
officers fired at them as they attempted to walk around Parker Center 
before beginning the rally. Police Capt. Jim Rubert said the conflict began 
after about 700 protesters gathered outside the designated rally site. 
Officers fired rubber bullets when protesters threw gallon-sized jars and 
broken glass at them, he said. Officer Don Cox said police arrested three 
people for investigation of assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon.

Several protesters showed reporters welts left by rubber bullets, but Cox 
said no injuries were reported. 'Disgraced This Country' More than 200 
police officers - some in riot gear, some on horseback - later surrounded 
about 1,500 people who shouted at them and raised their fists while 
listening to speakers whose loved ones were killed or injured in police 
conflicts. "You all are the worst police force in the U.S. history.

You all have disgraced this country," said Brian Smith, who said his 
brother Danny Ray Smith died of asphyxiation in police custody two years 
ago. Alleged corruption at LAPD's Rampart station was a key topic at the 
demonstration, part of a national protest scheduled for more than 50 
cities. But speakers also criticized out-of-town police actions, including 
the New York City police shooting of Amadou Diallo, and the Pennsylvania 
death-penalty case of Mumia Abu-Jamal.
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