Account of Police Brutality in McArthur Park

by good_girl 

 It started off great. At Vermont and Third I met up with the members of CHIRLA, everyone was organized and ready to go. Members form CopWatch LA were meeting on the corner with their cameras and video recorders. My son and I walked in and out of the groups, not affiliated with any, but welcomed by all. I decided to move my car when I seen tow trucks coming into the Vons parking lot. A friend's father suggested I park at his church off of Vermont and Pico, and walk up to Olympic and Pico to join the march. As I walked I seen several different groups converging. At Olympic and Pico there was the Bus Riders Union and FAIR. They were great, handing my son and I water, giving him signs and flags to wave. They were going in circles in the intersections of the four corners, complete with several drummers and songs and chants. My favorite of the day "ONE--WE ARE THE PEOPLE--2--A LITTLE BIT LOUDER--3--WE WANT JUSTICE--4---ALL THE PEOPLE--". As the several thousand marchers from 3rd and Vermont came towards us, the air was filled with electricity and hope. The chants got louder and everyone prepared to merge.

The march towards McArthur Park was great, my son and I chanting along. There was several different groups I observed, but all marched for the same purpose: to bring awareness. The motorcycle police were out in full force. First we had to stay on the sidewalk, then one lane of Pico was opened for us. As we hit Alvarado, we were allowed one side of the street with the police strictly enforcing. There were several organizers, i believe from CHIRLA, helping people to stay within the restricted lines. The mood was peaceful and joyous.

As we came upon the park, the group started streaming into the park. My son and I got went to the front where they had a stage set up and he was dancing to the music. As more people came, we found a seat on the grass to the left of the stage and got a palleto. We were listening to the speakers and talking to those around us. About 5:30, I decided it was time to go. My son is only 3, and it was a long walk back to the car. He did not want to leave and was crying and running from me. I got him into the stoller and began walking through the park at a leisurly pace. We stopped and talked to vendors, received papers and magazines, and stopped for some mangos con chili(YUM). As we were walking down Alvardo(still on the sidewalk to the park) towards 7th, I began to see police on motorcycle converge around the park, I thought it was because nightfall was near. As we walked close to 7th however, police in riot gear were starting to line up all along the middle of Alvardo and 7th street.


When we got to Seventh, the police had their batons out and were looking menacing. They were not letting anyone out of the park, but blocking everyone in. When I asked to be let out because I had my young son, they told me "No, thats what you get for bringing your kid here to a protest." I tried axplaining it was not a protest, but a peaceful rally, but to no avail. There was nothing for a few minutes, we were looking around and I started to head back into the park, thinking i could go out the other way. All of a sudden, someone yelled "RUN", i turned around and the police were coming at us full force, batons raised, and guns pointed at us. At first I thought they were running towards someone or thing in the distance until I started seeing them pushing and hitting people out of the way. As they came closer, I was having a hard time managing the stroller(we were on the grass). The police came and pushed me hard enough to knock me down. My son was crying at this point. I got up, and I believe it was a member of CopWatchLA that grabbed me out of the way as a police was coming at me, baton raised. He got us onto the sidewalk by the water, and went to help some one else.

I started running with my son, while on the phone with my boyfriend. All of a sudden I heard a big bang, and my eyes started to water, I grabbed the bandana that was around my sons neck and put it over his face. At this time, I hear several more loud bangs, that i thought were gunshots. This was about 5 feet from where we were standing. I was trying to run, but i could barely see. This young girl came and grabbed the stroller and ran it up the hill for me. We were able to get out of the park and onto 7th street. We crossed the street, and I called my friends father. He agreed to come get us but was met my resistence to get where we were. He requested we walk and try to meet up. The police were on every corner, not letting anyone pass. At this point, the helicopters that were above us were saying "Get out of the park, or you will be arrested" , but there was no way of getting out of the park.This was the FIRST warning I heard to anyone, 20 or more minutes well into the attack. During this whole time with me running, there was several hundred more shots. You could hear people screaming and crying as they were hit or pushed down. Everywhere you looked, police were hitting, beating with batons, kicking, and shooting rubber pellets. No one was spared, women children or handicapped included. I seen one man in a wheelchair trying to get away and fell out of his chair and was trampled by the police. The chaos was horrible. There was no where to go, and no instructions. Definately no warning for what the LAPD did.

After I got home, I turned on the news, and all I heard was "people were throwing things at the police". I did not see anyone provoking the police or EVEN if THERE WAS(which i doubt), there was NO JUSTIFICATION for what they did to myself and all the people taking part in the rally. It was cowardly, brutal, and horrible. My son now has to deal with what he seen. He walked into the school today and told his teacher "The police were shoting us and pushing my mommy".

I am now more commited to getting my story out and doing whatever it takes to expose what really happened. I know my story is one of the milder ones, but i WANT SOMETHING TO BE DONE.