Occupy L.A.: Police union chief defends officers' actions
The union representing Los Angeles police officers responded Wednesday to complaints from some Occupy L.A. protesters about mistreatment as they were ousted from their tents outside City Hall.
“It is unfortunate that our society has come to the place where a lawful command from an officer goes ignored,” Paul Weber, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said in a statement.
“While some may complain about the LAPD tactics, Los Angeles business and political leaders are already commending the officers for effectively and efficiently ending Occupy L.A. at City Hall with minimum use of force,” he continued.
In a KCAL-TV Channel 9 video, now posted on YouTube, Tyson Heder, 35, was taking pictures of the eviction, when a police officer shoved him away.
The video showed Heder then standing up, yelling at the officer, then being forced to the ground by several police officers. His sister, Christy Collins, said Heder was in custody Wednesday morning.
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-- Sam Quinones
Photo: Officers form a line Wednesday near the Occupy L.A. camp. Credit: Jonathan Alcorn / Bloomberg
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