LOS ANGELES, May 1, 2007 – An otherwise peaceful day of demonstrations throughout the city ended violently when the LAPD attacked the May Day march and rally in MacArthur Park today. A large rally numbering in the tens of 1,000s was driven from the park and the streets around the park. Families with young children were forced to flee as the police fired hundreds of rounds of rubber bullets into the crowd. There are reports of many injuries, including journalists with a TV news crew. Some have been hospitalized from their injuries. Witnesses report beatings with batons and many injuries from rubber bullets. The first incident of police violence occurred at Wilshire & Parkview when police drove a row of motorcycles head on into the march. A brief scuffle broke out but the situation was diffused. It was the incident at 7th and Alvarado that sparked the police attack, which resulted in the complete clearing of the park and scattered street fights with police in the neighboring area.
From the Newswire: LAPD attack thousands of peaceful protestors at Immigrant Rights Rally! | | Police Riot on Peaceful Protest | | LAPD ATTACK PEACEFUL MAY DAY CROWD WITH RUBBER BULLETS AND TEARGAS | | 5/1: NISN Statement on LAPD Attacks May Day Immigrant Marchers, TAKE ACTION! | | Media of Police Gearing up at MacArthur Park
UPDATE & CORRECTION: Early reports of tear gas have not been substantiated. The firing of over 200 rounds of rubber bullets has been confirmed. In addition nine arrests have been reported. LA-IMC has received no reports as to the status of those arrested.
