Occupy L.A.: Protesters expect raid tonight
Two activists connected to the Occupy L.A. encampment at City Hall called on both protesters and police to be peaceful and restrained amid concerns that their eviction was imminent.
The statement came two days after the Los Angeles Police Department's deadline for protesters to leave the camp. LAPD officials have not said when they will move in to remove the protesters.
At a meeting of demonstrators Tuesday evening, organizers said that it was "very probable" that some kind of raid will occur tonight. There was no indication of police activity at the site as of 7:50 p.m.
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Mario Brito and Jacob Hay, two Occupy activists, released a statement urging a "nonviolent resolution to the encampment at City Hall. We call on all sides to show respect and restraint."
Given the smattering of assaults and other incidents reported at the camp, “the chaos out there could produce something awful,” he said in an interview with The Times.
The mayor, a former union organizer and president of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said he and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck jointly made the decision to allow overnight camping on the lawn in hopes of charting a “different path” with protesters. That was, he said, in part because he respects many of their views.
FULL COVERAGE: Occupy protests
Many at the tent city--which grew to include its own library, multitude of committees and even a schedule of yoga classes--were drawn by outrage at economic policies that they say favor the rich. But many also pledge allegiance to a variety of other causes, including legalizing marijuana and ending the Federal Reserve.
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-- Shelby Grad and Rong-Gong Lin II
Photo: The scene at the Occupy L.A. encampment at L.A. City Hall Tuesday night.
Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times
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