A huge force of Los Angeles cops in riot gear moved in to clear a notorious homeless tent city — sparking angry clashes with hundreds of protesters that continued into the early hours of Thursday.
Scores of police moved into the Echo Park Lake encampment at around 10 p.m. Wednesday — and were met by more than 200 protesters who had gathered all day to oppose the planned sweep.
The protesters, a mix of homeless people and activists, refused to budge as they chanted, “Whose park? Our park!”
As hundreds of cops — many carrying batons or projectile weapons — slowly moved forward to sweep the area, it sparked violent clashes with some of those refusing to budge, according to witnesses and police.
The LAPD twice declared it an unlawful assembly and repeatedly announced orders to leave, claiming on Twitter that officers were “assaulted with rocks, bottles and smoke bombs.”
“At this time no use of force have been reported,” the force insisted of its own tactics.
Police form a line as activists and supporters of residents of a homeless encampment protest at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles. AFP via Getty ImagesThe tense clashes lasted for hours — and at 12:30 a.m. about 40 protesters remained, watched over by several hundred police, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“The Los Angeles Police Department continues to ask for calm and cooperation as the installation of fencing in support of the Echo Park rehabilitation effort continues,” the force wrote in the early hours.
“Fencing is being installed and police will be there overnight.”
A demonstrator holds a sign during a protest in the Echo Park section of Los Angeles. APOfficials allowed the homeless people living there to stay overnight, but said they “will not be allowed to come and go.” They all have to be out by Thursday night, Chief Michel Moore told the LA Times.
Some of the homeless people calling the park home insisted they will not leave, no matter the consequences.
“I’m not leaving. I will be arrested and I will spend my time in jail,” Antonia Ramirez, 60, told The Associated Press.
The tense clashes lasted for hours, but by 12:30 a.m. about 40 protesters remained, watched over by several hundred police, the paper said. REUTERSShe complained that there was “no notice given” for the park’s closure, saying, “It’s like a dictatorial, fascist regime.”
The executive director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, Heidi Marston, also decried the tactics.
“If you’re gonna close the park be clear. It doesn’t mean we need take people by surprise,” she told the LA Times.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said that homeless residents inside the park could stay overnight — but that no one else can enter. AP“It facilitates fear, chaos and it breaks the trust we built. It seems like it didn’t need to happen this way.”
City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, whose district includes the neighborhood just north of downtown, said police were asked to support “community safety efforts” while fencing was installed.
“Our homeless service providers will return tomorrow morning to continue their work with the park’s unhoused residents to offer shelter and services to anyone who wants and needs the assistance,” he wrote.
Scores of police moved into the Echo Park encampment at around 10 p.m. Wednesday — and were met by more than 200 protesters opposing the sweep. APHe supported the police action, saying the clearing of the park was not just conceding to community demands over health and safety, but was also for the betterment of the homeless community camped out there.
“You define a sweep as moving someone indoors to a safe, clean environment where they will be provided free, healthy meals, receive medical care and a path to wellness, then you can call it what you want,” O’Farrell told the LA Times.
Homeless residents confront Los Angeles police officers moving in to remove residents in the Echo Park Lake homeless encampment. AP“Because this is what we are doing for everyone who has been there over the last several weeks or months.”
With Post wires
