LAPD cops in riot gear descend on Echo Park encampment to clear out the homeless and declare ‘unlawful assembly’ after scuffling with more than 200 protesters
- Los Angeles authorities sent in the LAPD to close down a homeless encampment
- They were met by more than 200 protesters who opposed the sweep
- Around 10.30pm on Wednesday, officers told protesters to dispersed and then called an ‘unlawful assembly’ when most wouldn’t
- Signs posted in Echo Park earlier on Wednesday warned people living in the encampment that they needed to remove all their personal belongings by today
LAPD cops in riot gear descended on a homeless encampment at Los Angeles’ Echo Park to clear out the area.
The officers, armed with batons and rifles, carried out the planned sweep on Wednesday night but were met by more than 200 protesters who refused to leave the area, the LA Times reported.
The issue of the homeless encampment at Echo Park has become a ‘highly charged test of city leaders’ struggle to balance residents’ demands for clean streets and public spaces as it battles to contain its growing homeless problem, the site reported.
Around 10.30pm on Wendesday, officers told protesters to dispersed and then called an ‘unlawful assembly’ when most wouldn’t.
LAPD cops in riot gear descended on a homeless encampment at Los Angeles’ Echo Park to clear out the area
The officers, armed with batons and rifles, carried out the planned sweep on Wednesday night but were met by more than 200 protesters who refused to leave the area
Around 10.30pm on Wendesday, officers told protesters to dispersed and then called an ‘unlawful assembly’ when most wouldn’t
Cops ordering protesters to ‘clear out the area’ over loudspeaker were met with chants of ‘whose park? our park’.
Earlier in the day, signs were posted on trees and light poles saying that the park will close on Thursday, and that all personal property needed to be removed. That included tents, chairs, tables, backpacks, bags and personal items.
One homeless man, Edward Juarez told the LA Times that he had been living in the park since August after he lost his job as a professional photographer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘I just want to get out of here, it’s getting crazy,’ he told the site.
Cops ordering protesters to ‘clear out the area’ over loudspeaker were met with chants of ‘whose park? our park’
Earlier in the day, signs were posted on trees and light poles saying that the park will close on Thursday, and that all personal property needed to be removed. That included tents, chairs, tables, backpacks, bags and personal items
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