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

 
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.

[Updated at 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

Photo: White supremacists rally on the lawn of Los Angeles City Hall. Credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[John G]

IF YOU'RE AGAINST AMNESTY YOU ARE A NAZI!

IF YOU'RE FOR BORDERS & NOT DEPRESSING WAGES...YOU'RE A NAZI!

IF YOU'RE FOR THE RULE OF LAW AND BORDERS...YOU'RE A NAZI!

JUST BECAUSE HAL TURNER WAS REVEALED TO BE A FEDERAL AGENT RUNNING THE BIGGEST WHITE SUPREMACIST GROUP DOES NOT MEAN THAT THIS GROUP IS FED AGENT RUN TO DEMONIZE 80% OF THE PRO-LAW ENFORCEMENT, PRO-CITIZEN PRIOR TO AMNESTY!

[Diane]

Since when is hurling bottles and rocks "1st Amendment rights?"

[John]

What kind of sensationalist garbage is this?

The facts are: There were counter-protesters against NSM. As the NSM members walked back to their cars, the counter-protestors were kept at a 100 foot distance from the parking lot. Counter-protestors threw projectiles blindly over a wall, expecting to cause damage to NSM members, and not the police. There was no intention of hurting police, as this article strongly alludes.

[Wrong Wrong]

Well this is one time Blacks will ride with all Hispanics, Chinese, Any body, against these clowns...

[Mike]

I see no difference from them then I do La Raza. May the most intelligent win. (:

[ManOnPoint]

Even though I disagree with the message of get all non-white people out of the SW USA, I see that once again that the counter-protesters caused all the injuries and scuffles. I DO NOT like the Neo-Nazi message, however, they still have the right to assemble under the First Ammendment. Throwing bottles and rocks ONLY adds to the support for the Neo-Nazis. Why do people that do this not understand this only HELPS their cause???

[Xena]

They should have arrested the Nazi's and not the counter-protesters, but that just shows what a Pro- Nazi country this has become. Shameful. Shameful, shameful. Only White supremacist Nazi's are allowed to protest here and march, but no-one else it seems. Sickening and very sad to hear about this.

[albert]

Seek Help!

[Dan]

Hmmm. So the pro illegal imigration wanted the permit removed because of the offensive speech & what is claimed to be incitement of violence by the nazi group. However, it was not the nazi group that committed felony assault, it was the pro illegals group.
I guess they were just not smart enough & fell victim to the mind games. You just proved that you have no capacity for rational debate with a group you do not agree with.
The Nazi groups have beliefs & speech that are offensive beyond the pale. However, by resorting to violence, you have proven you are no better than they are.
Tolerance indeed. Hypocrites

[Greg]

It's a shame that the counter protestors became violent. Nazis are the scum of the Earth, but you don't answer their message of hate with violence. If you want the world to be rid of these awful people you must rise above them, not sink to their level.

[Localsavage]

Sad day when the white supremacists are the law abiding citizens. What has America come to?

[Mac]

Wait...was it a pinto wagon?

[Mario]

It is funny how hypocritical people can be. When it is a Hispanic immigration rally and there were bottles thrown, then it would be racist. Or if it were a highly black populated march or protest and bottles were thrown than that would also be considered racist. BUT, because it is a white group marching down the street and bottles and rocks were thrown, then of course the other groups have the right to the violence and uncivilized behavior. Because White Supremecy is poo-pooed in society when all other races are allowed to be have black power or La Raza..

This what is growing to be a problem in this country. Its all races versus the white man. Classic how the media has created this bias over the years.

[Jim Hanson]

Very interesting this article, and related AP coverage, for what it puts in and what it leaves out.

I understand that this rally was held to protest proposed amnesty plans which would allow over 12 million illegal immigrants to stay in our country while 15 million Americans have lost their jobs.

I also understand that many of the so-called "counter-demonstrators" were pro-amnesty people, many of them more than likely illegal aliens themselves. Basically, what these illegal alien "counter-demonstrators" did was use use violence to deny others their right to free speech.

The related AP coverage very slickly tries to link anyone who opposes amnesty to white supremacy/anti-Semitism. It also employs the Mustang-in-need-of-a-boost-angle to underscore that fact that these white supremacists are a bunch of clowns.

Now, I don't support white supremacists. But don't jerk your readers around. Include ALL the facts in your coverage of this very important issue. And why don't you check, while you're at it, whether or not these white supremacists are really provocateurs employed to aid the cause of amnesty.

It's really rather suspicious how these white supremacists just happened to appear on the scene when many Americans, especially those active in Tea Parties, have risen up to oppose the amnesty schemes put forward by a handful of elites.

[John klink]

Okay, I may not agree with the neo-nazi thing. However, why is there right to gather any different then the Mexicans who are here in our country illegally?
The Mexicans and others are treated fairly and do not suffer beatings at the hands of hooligans. Just sayin.

[markiejoe]

"Doan said the department had more than enough officers on hand. "

Obviously not, if one man was "severely beaten."

[Carrie]

If the CA cops would do their jobs and arrest all the Hispanic gangs in the state and deport illegals rather than coddle them with all their "sanctuary cities" this problem would not exist. The sheriff in AZ should be put in charge of the entire CA police force.

[jack ebner]

round up the nazis and put them in concentration camps.

[Shaun]

the National Socialist Movement huh?

Socialists are LIBERALS.

let it be known that these neo-nazis are "right wing extremists." they are left-wing extremists.

[Michael Horton]

As a card carrying member of the ACLU I support the rights of everyone to peacefully assemble and express their views, no matter how despicable they might be. A bit disheartening to learn that it was the "counter protesters" who behaved worse then the "protesters."

You don't fight hate with hate my counter protester friends. Nor do you win by severely beating them. With your actions today you just gave these 40 people, who represent a tiny fraction of the population, front page coverage in the Los Angeles Times for their beliefs. Next time, stay home will you. Ignore these people.

[Sad Citizen]

It saddens me...That this "Group" wants all non-white to be remove from this country. As a non-white, a Citizen, and a United States Marine. I'm very hurt, how this people threaten non-white citizens and immigrant's because of there belief in Nazism. May God Bless your soul, and find peace in your hearts.

[twistin]

it should be open season 24/7/365 on anybody with a swastika tatoo.

[twistin]

Nazis? Gotta hate em.

[Bill Darcy]

Why did the police not protect the white supremicists. They have as much right to protection as the violent protesters do.

[Stan]

Anyone notice that whenever White Supremacists rally, it's ALWAYS the counter-protesters who cause all the damage and mayhem?