LAPD supports Minutemen by brutalizing protesters

As racist vigilantes known as Minute men gathered in Hollywood on July 8 to celebrate hate and ignorance, they had the protection of the Los Angeles Police Department as a large group of protestors gathered to show that we will not target immigrants as a scapegoat for the United States’ problems. The demonstration was called by the ANSWER coalition.

July 8 protest against Minutemen in Los Angeles. Photos: Minjok Tongsin

The protesters outnumbered the racists almost two to one, and as the Minutemen prepared to take to the streets and march, the LAPD surrounded the protesters as best they could and began a violent riot. A young woman in her twenties was dragged to the ground by several cops and beaten and arrested. A middle-aged Latina woman, getting off the bus after a day of work, was caught in the riot and eventually taken off in an ambulance because of the brutality inflicted by the racist cops. Several officers beat her with batons and pushed her down onto the sidewalk. Many other demonstrators were hit by batons, and some banners and flags were destroyed or confiscated by the police. All this happened to the sound of the Minutemen cheering on the LAPD.

Protesters were not even allowed to march on the sidewalk to show their opposition to the racists, who were escorted by the LAPD as they marched down Holly wood Blvd. When the protesters finally broke away from the police and circled around to meet the Minutemen at the corner of Wilcox and Hollywood Blvd, they were again brutally suppressed by the police. Many protesters were injured, including three International Action Center organizers.

This blatant attempt by the state to physically restrain and quiet opposition is not just an example of why we must continue our struggle against these racist killers and police, but also why we must continue to fight against a system that uses racism and poverty to divide the working class.

Minutemen organizations have been popping up all over the country as immigration reform has a prime spot on the evening news and as politicians are looking for new ways to win votes. These volunteer racists that say they are protecting the United States from terrorists and drug dealers are actually killing innocent people that, because of imperialism, are forced in a moment of desperation to flee to this country in hopes of finding a means to support their families. Instead they are met at the border by not only the border patrol, but by U.S. citizens that are misinformed, armed, and dangerous. If they make it past the vigilantes safely, migrants are then forced to face a country that does not want to respect them, only exploit them further.

Yet, as the Minutemen marched through Hollywood trying to spread hate, it was obvious that they had little support from people walking the streets and driving in their cars. The protestors received cheers, thumbs up, and even revolutionary fists in the air from people in their cars. It was apparent that the police were the only ones happy to see the Minutemen.