Occupy L.A. protesters sue city

Protesters in the Occupy Los Angeles movement filed a class-action lawsuit Thursday against the city and high-ranking officials alleging that the group's constitutional rights were violated during its eviction.

The lawsuit alleges that the Los Angeles Police Department used "shock and awe" military tactics on November 2011 to forcibly remove hundreds of demonstrators who were encamped on the south lawn of City Hall. The group alleges that the police raid that resulted in nearly 300 arrests was "unconstitutional and an unlawful violation of plaintiffs' First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights to assembly, association, freedom from unlawful seizure and liberty."

Occupy LA was the local branch of a national movement in which demonstrators established tent communities in major cities to protest economic inequality and the bailout of large banks. Initially, city officials not only permitted but welcomed the L.A. protesters, the suit says.

But after 59 days, and no indication that the protest would end, officials grew increasingly concerned.  Fearing that children might have been living in the encampment, LAPD Chief Beck and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa decided to shut the camp. Authorities posted signs notifying the group that the lawn fell under the regulations of the city's parks departmement and was subject to closure at night. The group did not move, however, and protesters alleged that it was the city that was violating the law by moving to eject the group, according to the lawsuit. 

"The basic rule of the 1st Amendment is that you can't change the rules halfway through the game," said Carol Sobel, an attorney for the protesters. (Sobel has also represented May Day protesters in a prior suit against the city and LAPD.)

Protesters pressure Villaraigosa to step down from Fix the Debt group

A dozen protesters went to City Hall on Tuesday to present Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with a petition demanding he step down from the Fix the Debt campaign, a day after the mayor distanced himself from the group's push for large-scale cuts to Social Security and Medicare and stressed the need for bipartisan cooperation.

Villaraigosa announced last week that he was joining the steering committee of Fix the Debt, a bipartisan lobbying group urging President Obama and Congress to address the national debt before the country goes off the so-called fiscal cliff.

That prompted backlash by some on the political left, who cited the group's recommendation of large cuts to Social Security and Medicare. As of Tuesday morning, almost 14,000 people had signed an online petition demanding Villaraigosa step down from the group.

"He hasn't answered my calls or returned my emails," said Angela Garcia Combs, of Hollywood, who started the petition.

The mayor, who has previously called for a "radical middle" of moderate stances and compromises in order to address the nation's economic woes, clarified Monday night that his personal views don't align completely with those of Fix the Debt.

"I believe we can -– and must –- reform Social Security and Medicare as part of a balanced approach to the nation’s fiscal challenges. These reforms are needed to strengthen our essential entitlement programs for generations to come," Villaraigosa said in a statement.  

Online protest rages over 'ugly,' 'undignified' new UC logo [Talkback]

Some students and alumni have started an online petition to drop the University of California's new and simpler logo.

"The old logo is elegant. The new one looks like a logo from a bad online university," one person wrote on a Facebook page devoted to the issue.

"I want to keep the dignity of the UC seal," another wrote.

The new logo has a solid “U” containing a “C” resting at the bottom, in various colors. Foes contend it “does not represent the stature and honor of the University of California.”

They want the 10-campus system to use the traditional circular medallion that shows an open book, the motto “Let There Be Light” and the 1868 date of UC’s founding. Or find a dignified alternative.

UC system spokeswoman Dianne Klein said critics wrongly assume that UC is eliminating the traditional symbol. In fact, that will remain on all diplomas and official correspondence such as presidential letters, among other uses.

But she said the old logo does not reproduce well in small size on Internet pages and that UC wanted something more visually contemporary and versatile, especially for online efforts to seek donations and recruit applicants.

“Like anything with design and change, people have opinions,” Klein said. She added that alumni, students and parents were consulted about the new design, which was created by an in-house design team at no extra cost to the university.

What do you think of the new logo? Share your views below.

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Graphic: University of California logos. Credit: University of California

Occupy’s unintended legacy: more restrictions on protests

It's an ironic legacy for a movement conceived as a voice for the downtrodden.

Across California and the nation, Occupy protests have prompted cities to tighten restrictions on protesters and behavior in public space in ways that opponents say threaten free speech and worsen conditions for homeless people.

Governments now regulate with new vigor where protesters may stand and walk and what they can carry. Protest permits are harder to get and penalties are steeper. Camping is banned from Los Angeles parks by a new, tougher ordinance. Philadelphia and Houston tightened restrictions on feeding people in public.

Photos: Occupy protests

After Occupy Wall Street was evicted from Zucotti Park, protesters were allowed to return but faced a long list of park rules that changed daily, said Sarah Knuckey, a New York University law professor who worked with Occupy Wall Street. New York City police and park security refused entry to the park based on violations such as possessing food, musical instruments and yoga mats, she said.

Free speech advocates say the trend is dismaying. "It reflects a hostility to protest," said Linda Lye, attorney for ACLU in Northern California. "What we've seen is a response not different from Bull Connor."

Protesters arrested outside Wal-Mart in Paramount

A small number of protesters outside a Wal-Mart in Paramount were arrested peacefully early Friday afternoon as part of a Black Friday demonstration against the retail giant's labor practices, authorities said.

TV footage showed handcuffed protesters being put into booking vans in the middle of Lakewood Boulevard.

Sheriff's officials said about 1,000 people protested at the Wal-Mart before noon, although it was unclear how many were actual employees. Union members and others were among the demonstrators.

PHOTOS: The Black Friday rush

Sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker said nine people were arrested. Elizabeth Brennan of Warehouse Workers United said three Wal-Mart employees were among the arrested, according to the Associated Press.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dale Ryken said it had been expected that some people seeking to practice civil disobedience would be arrested after refusing an order to disperse.

“The whole thing was going to be a peaceful demonstration,” Ryken said. “It was understood that they would send 10 to 15 people [at once] to get arrested.”

Protest organizers said demonstrators are speaking out against “reductions in hours, changes in scheduling and even firings.” They accuse the retailer of retaliating against employees who speak out about work conditions at Wal-Mart.

In a statement, the retailer called this year’s the best Black Friday, saying the crowds were larger than last year. Almost 10 million cash register transactions were made from 8 p.m. Thursday to midnight, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman said.

Bill Simon, Wal-Mart U.S. chief executive, dismissed the impact of the protests.

“Only 26 protests occurred at stores last night and many of them did not include any Wal-Mart associates,” he said.  “We estimate that less than 50 associates participated in the protest nationwide.”

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Photo: William Miller, a retired pastor, is led away in handcuffs Friday outside a Wal-Mart on Lakewood Boulevard in Paramount. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

LAX union protesters arrested; delays anger travelers

Los Angeles police began arresting protesting LAX workers Wednesday near the airport in a labor march that forced some closures, snarled traffic and delayed holiday travelers trying to leave town for Thanksgiving.

About a dozen protesters were in the process of having tie cuffs placed on their wrists after police gave them an order to disperse about 1:15 p.m. A dozen people sat down in the intersection at Century and Sepulveda boulevards after the order was issued, while the rest of the crowd backed away.

Workers with Service Employees International Union-USWW passed out fliers to passengers, describing a labor dispute with an airport-associated contractor and a plea for better jobs and benefits at the airport.

The union marched near the entrance to Los Angeles International Airport at Airport and Century boulevards as airport officials warned those traveling between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to arrive an hour and a half ahead of their normal schedule.

"LAX jobs used to be good jobs that allowed its workers to pass on a better life; now LAX is holding back hard-working people and the communities around the airport," USWW President Mike Garcia said in a statement.

Travelers said they were not pleased. 

"Really? Union's protest is blocking traffic to LAX and theres LAPD in riot gear. Happy Thanksgiving Eve. #ihateeveryone #weneedaplague," tweeted @StevenCrowley.

Jennifer Diaz of Redondo Beach called the union action "completely selfish."

-- Ari Bloomekatz and Kimi Yoshino

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Photo: A union's march and rally near Los Angeles International Airport snarled traffic and caused delays. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Protest expected to snarl LAX traffic the day before Thanksgiving

Passengers departing Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday are being warned to expect significant delays because of a huge labor march expected to snarl traffic along Century Boulevard and adjacent streets.

People are being advised to arrive at terminals two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights, the Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday evening. 

The day before Thanksgiving is typically one of the busiest of the year at LAX.

Police said the labor demonstration by the Service Employees Union is expected to last from about 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Passengers arriving during this five-hour period are advised to add an additional 90 minutes to their planned drive time," the LAPD said in a statement.

The union, which represents LAX workers, said in a statement that an airport contractor is violating the city's living wage ordinance and has eliminated affordable healthcare for more than 400 workers.

Union supporters said they were expecting more than 1,000 protesters.

The protest is expected to clog airport entrances on westbound Century Boulevard and northbound Sepulveda Boulevard north of the Sepulveda Tunnel. 

People can check the city's Department of Transportation website for real-time LAX traffic updates.

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twitter.com/LAJourno

Photo: The Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport in November 2010. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

 

 

 

 

 

Supporters of Israel, Palestinians clash in L.A. protests

Supporters of Israel and the Palestinians clashed during a rally Sunday outside the Federal Building in Westwood.

No arrests were made, but one person suffered a broken arm and Wilshire Boulevard was closed for a time, officials said.

Members of the Los Angeles Police Department, the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and the California Highway Patrol responded to the incident, LAPD Cmdr. Andy Smith said.

"Our guys called in additional resources with a tactical alert," he said. "Once we did that, things started to calm down."

The incident came amid renewed fighting in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has initiated a military campaign in response to rocket attacks from Hamas.

Smith said pro-Israel groups had obtained a permit to rally at the Federal Building on Sunday afternoon. An estimated 1,500 people attended, he said.

After the event began, a smaller group of Palestinian supporters began demonstrating on the opposite side of Wilshire, he said.

Smith said it was unclear how the clash began. 

He said officers were able to quell the conflict without using force but that authorities closed Wilshire for about 30 minutes as a precaution, snarling traffic near the 405 Freeway.

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One man injured during clash at pro-Israel rally in Westwood

One man was injured Sunday afternoon during a clash between supporters of Israel and Palestine who were rallying outside the Westwood federal building on Wilshire Boulevard, authorities said.

The Los Angeles Police Department, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol responded to the incident, but no arrests were made, LAPD Cmdr. Andy Smith said. He said the injured man was taken to a hospital after suffering what appeared to be a broken arm.

“Our guys called in additional resources with a tactical alert,” Smith said. “Once we did that, things started to calm down.”

The incident came amid renewed fighting in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has initiated a military campaign in response to rocket attacks from Hamas.

Smith said pro-Israel groups had obtained a permit to rally at the federal building on Sunday afternoon. An estimated 1,500 people attended, he said.

After the event began, a smaller group of Palestinian supporters began demonstrating on the opposite side of Wilshire.

Smith said it was unclear how the clash began. 

He said officers were able to quell the conflict without using force. But authorities closed Wilshire for 30 minutes as a precaution, snarling traffic near the 405.

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Occupy protesters arrested at speech by Mexico leader

A demonstration outside the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Wednesday night resulted in six arrests after protesters clashed with police.

Pasadena police Sgt. Paul Carpenter said 50 or more people claiming affiliation to the Occupy movement tussled with officers after they were denied entrance to the auditorium, where former Mexican President Vicente Fox was speaking.

Carpenter said some demonstrators attempted to push past police, threw objects at officers and tried to pull batons from officers’ hands.

A man who attended the protest said police provoked the violence after members of the group gathered to distribute fliers in support of the Zapatista movement and human rights causes in Mexico.

Demonstrator Antonio Hernandez said he and five others were attempting to walk into the Civic Center plaza but police allowed only one of them, a woman, to pass. Hernandez said police “manhandled” and arrested the woman after she confronted them on behalf of the others. 

Hernandez said he was retreating to a sidewalk across the street at Paseo Colorado when he noticed another demonstrator being “body-slammed to the ground” there. Several demonstrators near that clash, including Hernandez, were struck by an officer who pursued demonstrators while swinging a police baton, he said.