Thursday, August 17th
6:29pm PST - The intersection at Olympic and Figueroa has been cleared.
6:27pm PST - Police and monitors are asking people at Olympic and Figueroa to move out of the intersection and into the
protest area. Riot cops are now moving into the intersection. Almost all the participants have left the intersection.
6:24pm PST - Everything still okay at the Immigrants' Rally. Some of the cops are leaving.
6:18pm PST - Riot cops are forcing people off the sidewalk at Olympic and Figueroa. No arrests yet.
6:13pm PST - Crowd monitors are trying to force the crowd onto the sidewalk by making a flying wedge. It doesn't seem to
be working very well.
6:09pm PST - Marchers are ignoring organizers' request to move to the sidewalk and are staying in the street. Possible
police action at Olympic and Figueroa. There are about 2500 protesters present.
5:56pm PST - Situation at front of Immigrants' March calm. Band is playing at Olympic and Figueroa.
5:52pm PST - About 100 riot cops at the rear of the Immigrants' March, which is going to Olympic and Figueroa.
5:49pm PST - Immigrants' March in a moment of silence at 7th and Figueroa. 30 or 40 riot cops at rear of march. No
incidents yet.
5:44pm PST - Nothing new from the Vieques March.
5:42pm PST - Immigrants' March at 7th and Figueroa.
5:36pm PST - Immigrants' March at 7th and Flower. Police presence escalating.
5:35pm PST - Immigrants' March at 7th and Hope.
5:32pm PST - Immigrants' March at 7th and Spring.
5:29pm PST - Lots of cop cars going down Hope St. towards the Pershing Square area.
5:22pm PST - Immigrants' March at 7th and Spring. Large, but non-threatening(?) police presence.
5:14pm PST - Immugrants' March about 2000(!) strong.
5:10pm PST - The Immigrants' March is going north on L.A. St. off 8th Ave.
5:05pm PST - The Immigrants' March is starting to west on 8th Ave.
4:51pm PST - Nothing new to report at this time.
4:37pm PST - The Vieques march is proceeding without incident so far.
4:22pm PST - The Vieques march is starting south on Los Angeles St.
4:20pm PST - The Immigrants' Rights rally is starting, there are about 2 dozen bike cops present, riot cops are there,
helicopters are flying overhead, speeches are being made.
4:15pm PST - All is well so far with the Vieques march.
4:11pm PST - There's about 100 people at the Fed. Bldg. for the Vieques march.
4:06pm PST - The crowd at the Immigrants' Rights March (8th and Santee) is about 500-800, there's a helicopter circling
overhead, the police presence is getting larger, and the march is about to begin.
4:02pm PST - The 2 people at 7th and Maple are not being arrested, but they are being detained, handcuffed, and
searched, apparently for wearing a spiked leather bracelet.
3:49pm PST - 2 protesters being arrested at 7th and Maple.
3:47pm PST - The Shundahai van has been detained for about an hour by police at Hope and Olympic on the pretext of its
trailer being too wide (!).
3:38pm PST - About 300 people are at 8th and Santee for the Immigration Rights Rally/March starting at 4 PM.
3:18pm PST - Both detainees at Pershing Square have been released.
3:15pm PST - One detainee has been released.
3:13pm PST - The 2 people at Pershing Square were not arrested, just detained. They will (hopefully) be released soon.
3:06pm PST - 2 demonstrators arrested at Pershing Square (Olive and 5th). So much for fabulous community relations.
3:02pm PST - Vieques march schedule: Rally at the Federal Building (300 N. Los Angeles St.) from 4-6 PM this afternoon,
followed by a march to the Staples Center.
2:57pm PST - A "fabulous community dialogue" is happening between police and demonstrators at Pershing Square.
2:54pm PST - About 200 people in Pershing Square.
2:48pm PST - This just in! Contrary to rumor, the Vieques march at the Federal Building (300 N. Los Angeles St.) doesn't
start till 4 this afternoon!
2:42pm PST - Less than 10 people for the Vieques march at the Federal Building.
2:23pm PST - 50 to 75 at Pershing Square.
11:35am PST - Thursday: 150 people gathering in Pershing Square and there's a large police presence.
Wednesday, August 16th
10:29pm PST - A report has come in that the people accused of jaywalking were given tickets and released.
10:27pm PST - Reports are coming in about the Critical Mass bicyclists that have been imprisoned since yesterday.
Arraignment hearings were held today and almost all charges were thrown out. Most people will be released on their own
recognizance for trials in September. No one is going to be tried on the initial charge of "reckless driving." Some
people are being released after being told that they can not bicycle again in LA!!!
10:15pm PST - Democracy Now, a taped TV show, begins taping at the IMC center in LA. A police helicopter is hovering
over the IMC building.
9:23pm PST - This evening, a bottle was thrown near the police that were outside the covergence center. Riot cops
stormed the three story building and posted sharpshooters with rifles on the roof. The sharpshooters trained their
weapons on citizens in the street. A group of local residents gathered and began chanting in Spanish. More riot cops
poured into the area. Two young local Hispanic men from the area were thrown into the back of a cruiser and taken away
with no explanation. It is not clear who threw the bottle.
9:03pm PST - A report from the convergence center has claimed that the police are retreating from the streets
surrounding the building after blocking them off for the last 45 minutes. The situation seems to be de-escalating.
8:30pm PST - Two police helicopters are hovering over the convergence center.
8:26pm PST - Bike cops now arriving at the convergence center. Several hundred are inside the convergence center and the
attendent parking lot which is fenced in. The police have not declared why they were in the area monitoring citizen's
movements on the streets, nor have the police declared why a citizen should be taken prisoner even if they had
"jaywalked" which usually results in a small summary fine analogous to a parking ticket.
8:20pm PST - 80+ cops in black combat gear outside the convergence center with 30+ cop cars.
8:14pm PST - The police have drawn guns on the people that they have accused of "jaywalking." The situation is rapidly
escalating. 50+ riot cops are there now surrounding the entrance to the convergence center.
8:04pm PST - Four citizens were just arrested and taken away outside the convergence center. The police have claimed
that the citizens were "jaywalking."
8:03pm PST - The American Civil Liberties Union issued a press release this evening about their filing suit against the
LAPD for the police targetting media at the protest on Monday evening.
7:32pm PST - 1000+ now in Pershing Square for rally with speakers. Riot cops continue to surround.
7:23pm PST - A dozen police cars full of riot cops are parked at the intersection of 18th and Flower, a half block from
the Independent Media Center.
7:09pm PST - At 6:00 PM, two IMC reporters with DNC and Shadow Convention credentials were accosted shortly after
leaving the IMC by 6 Secret Service officers. The secret service thought that the two reporters "matched" a description
of "suspects" put out over the radio. The reporters were eventually released.
7:04pm PST - Between 600 and 1000 at Pershing Square. Police are surrounding the citizens, but there is free movement in
and out of the square.
6:31pm PST - 1000+ heading north on Figueroa to Pershing Square. Police on all sides of Pershing Square, but there is
still an open avenue at Hill & 5th. More heavily armored riot police arriving. Intermittent confrontations between cops and 30+ Black Bloc.
6:21pm PST - Standoff between police and citizens continues outside the "protest area." Some citizens have dispersed to
the north.
6:12pm PST - "Crashing the Party" live TV satelite broadcast begins at the Independent Media Center in LA via Free Spech
TV and the Deep Dish TV Network.
6:06pm PST - LAPD Police Chief has just left Olympic and Figueroa after just overseeing the beatings.
5:56pm PST - Black Bloc 200+ moving north on Figueroa from intersection of Olympic and Figueroa.
5:52pm PST - Police have announced on a loudspeaker that the citizens in the intersection constitute an "illegal
assembly" and must disperse within 10 minutes or be subject to arrest. There are numerous shotgun and tear gas units in
the area. Riot cops in full combat gear are in formation on two sides of the intersection.
5:50pm PST - The police have given up the intersection. Hundreds are in the intersection.
5:48pm PST - Black Bloc heading north from Olympic and Figueroa.
5:45pm PST - On the north corner of Olympic and Figueroa, a line of 10+ are blocking delegates.
5:16pm PST - Riot police are not allowing the crowd out of the "protest area."
5:08pm PST - 500+ inside "protest area" and 600+ on the outside. Police currently not attacking anyone.
4:56pm PST - Police have declared that the gathering at Olympic and Figueroa is "unlawful" and ordered all citizens to
move into the "protest pit."
4:47pm PST - Police have divided the crowd of 1200+ into two groups. People are running in various directions. Numerous
tear gas units are in the area.
4:46pm PST - 1200+ at Olympic and Figueroa (South-West Corner of Protest Area). Police attacking the crowd.
4:17pm PST - An airplane is writing Nader in the sky directly over the Staples Center.
4:15pm PST - Anti-Police brutality March is on the move it is about 2 blocks long and it is heading east on 8th street.
3:11pm PST - 500-1000 protesters have converged by the Parker Center at 1st and Los Angeles in solidarity with the
arrested protesters inside.
3:02pm PST - City Attorney Julia Raffish has told the LAPD that they must give critical mass arrestees access to a group
lawyer. An arrestee said that they were unlawfully arrested and should be released. Arrestees in the Parker Center can
hear the crowd outside and have asked them to chant, "Give them a lawyer."
1:32pm PST - at 12:50pm a man in his twenties with a goatee, wearing camouflage was eating crackers in the
McArthur/Westlake Underground Metro station. He was approached by about 5 police officers. They proceeded to search him
and his bag, and he was handcuffed and taken away. During the course of this event more than 15 police officers (about
10 in riot gear) surrounded him, blocking the public view. Two officers also blocked off the stairway in an attempt to
keep anyone from witnessing the event. I was moved out, but managed to witness the event.
12:38pm PST - One legal observer reported 26 people being detained at Rampart station.
12:02pm PST - 40-60 on the steps blocking the entrance. Several hundred nearby. Situation seems calm.
11:49am PST - 15-20 marchers are entering Rampart station and are being arrested.
11:47am PST - Police are Videotaping those planning civil disobedience.
11:44am PST - The march has divided at Rampart station between people doing civil disobedience and those not
participating in it.
11:33am PST - March has arrived at the Rampart station going west on Temple. 50 police are following march and around
100 riot police are stationed in a nearby alleyway.
11:29am PST - Police Brutality March approaching Rampart station.
11:10am PST - Arraignment for Critical Mass bikers has begun at 450 Bauchet St. (That's near Vignes st, behind Union
Station.)
10:55am PST - End of the march has just left Macarthur Park, Heading west on 6th. The march size is between 500-1000 and
swelling.
10:48am PST - Our IMC contact who was arrested yesterday has posted bail and is currently out of jail. He says that he
was isolated from the others arrested at the Animal Rights Action and put in solitary. He is currently safe and is now
working on helping out the 60+ arrested in the Critical Mass ride. Bails for Critical Mass riders range from $500 to
$2500.
10:46am PST - 150-200 people at Macarthur Park. The situation is calm with an average police presence.
10:36am PST - One Critical Mass rider was charged with "reckless driving" with a $2,500 bail set.
Tuesday, August 15th
10:03pm PST - An IMC volunteer was arrested today, and is facing a $1000 bail. The legal team is working on the
situation and more information will come forward.
9:31pm PST - 75 riot cops and 50+ observers in a standoff at 18th and Flower as last of bicyclists are being taken away
in three school buses.
9:06pm PST - Police are bringing in arrest buses to take away bicyclists still up against the fence at 18th and Flower.
8:49pm PST - Unknown number of protestors moving south at 3rd and Main. Police responding.
8:39pm PST - starting at around 5:45pm the Critical Mass bike ride started with around 200-300 bicyclists. They were
persued by around 50 police on bikes, and several police cars. After about 45 minutes the police surrounded the riders
in two different locations. At least 50 riders are now in custody. Eye witnesses say that one bicyclist was knocked off
her bike by police during the ride.
8:28pm PST - at 7:57 IMC received a report that the March for Gay Rights had been encircled by police with people lying
in the street tracing themselves in chalk.
8:26pm PST - Riot cops running north to 18th and Flower.
8:25pm PST - at 7:19 IMC received a report that Police have all but five of the bikers in arrest cars.
8:24pm PST - at 6:37 IMC received a report that one of the people arrested at the Critical Mass Rally was an Associated
Press reporter at the second arrest site at Hope and Pico.
8:22pm PST - la.indymedia.org is back up.
5:25pm PST - The well-publicized Critical Mass bicycle parade is about to begin at 5th and Flower, with 100
participants.
5:22pm PST - Amidst a heavy police presence 'Black Bloc' black-clothed protesters are moving south on Figueroa toward
the Staples Center.
4:57pm PST - Of the 43 arrestees (arrested at 3:20pm) , men are being sent to the Harper Center and Women are being
taken to 77th and Broadway. All arrestees are being charged with "Conspiracy to commit vandalism". National Lawyers
Guild confirmed an arrested Observer.
4:52pm PST - 43 people had been arrested at the animal rights protests at 7th and Grand. One legal observer had been
arrested there.
4:29pm PST - 500 to 1000 people at SEIU march, marching west on ninth. The mood at the march is jubilant.
3:59pm PST - Mass arrests at 1st and Wilshire
3:34pm PST - At 7th & Grand, police have issued orders to disperse. Protesters have left the street.
3:31pm PST - The protest at 7th & Grand is an animal rights protest in front of a fur shop. There are about 100 protesters in a stand off with police.
30-40 are being arrested, including a member of the National Lawyer's Guild. Police have issued an order to disperse.
3:10pm PST - 8 members of the Black Bloc are being arrested at Wilshire & Grand.
3:09pm PST - Midnight Special Law Collective reports a mass arrest going on at Grand & 6th.
2:48pm PST - Underground metro station at Pershing Square closed down due to an investigation by the police.
2:09pm PST - Police report anarchists in yellow skirts headed southbound on Flower.
1:43pm PST - Bus Riders Union march heading towards protest pit at Staples Center.
8:44am PST - Server back online. Unfortunately, we have had outages over the past 24 hours. It is unclear at this point
if the problems were due to high traffic or a malicious attack.
Monday, August 14th
8:22pm PST - Riot police are refusing to let anyone out of the Staples Center. Hundreds of DNC Deligates are locked in
the Convention Center. The situation is very hectic.
8:14pm PST - There are rampant reports of police abuse, pepper spray, beatings of youth at the Rage Against the Machine
Concert.
8:11pm PST - Metro Vandal suspect taken into custody.
8:09pm PST - 300-1000 people (probably on the high end) in Pershing Square surrounded by police with paddy wagons.
8:04pm PST - A small portion of the crowd started throwing water bottles and other objects over the south side of the
barrier closest to the Staples center, then lit small fires; this is a visual confirmation of first incident. Police
countered with pepper spray.
7:58pm PST - The Ozomatli concert was shut down by police. After an order of dispersal, about 200 refused to disperse.
Police stampeded a crowd on horseback firing rubber bullets provoking a stampede of the panicked crowd.
7:56pm PST - Vandalism at blue line station accross from Staples Center. Vandal's identity unknown.
7:54pm PST - Mass actions throughout area -- need more details. Three main groups: anarchists, concert goers, and
non-violent protesters. Police claim initial instigation and continued problems by anarchists. Proclaimed an "unlawful
assembly" by police.
7:30pm PST - Four paintball rounds were fired at a Black Bloc member at the Rage Against the Machine concert. The
juvenile attempted to climb the fence to hang a flag (which he succeeded in doing). He sustained large bruises.
7:28pm PST - 3rd and Figueroa. Cuncussion grenade are launched at crowds and rubber bullets are fired.
7:28pm PST - The Shadow convention reconvenes as the IMC is still functioning. Hundreds convened in the street to stop
police from shutting down Patriotic Hall including Gore Vidal.
6:52pm PST - At Patriotic Hall, the Shadow Convention has been evacuated from their first floor. They now are out in the
street. (Update 8/15: Arianna Huffington reports attendees continue meeting on nearby steet, are surrounded by riot
police.)
6:46pm PST - There are reports of police firing chemicals into the crowd at the protest pit listening to the RAGE
concert.
6:44pm PST - One witness at the concert had an enjoyable time, he reports the crowd had smiles on their faces, and he
saw no problems
6:41pm PST - There are currently County Sheriff troops in the stairwell of Patriotic Hall, IMC HQ's. They are clearing
the building floor by floor. Reach your own conclusions
6:23pm PST - RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE played a free concert, the LAPD didn't like it, confiscated puppets, apparently
the puppets are just now being returned. Check back for video and pictures.
6:04pm PST - The Crisis Continues: The three detainees were to be released by County officers, but LAPD, ordered them
re-detained. One detainees reports, "When the satellite is shut off, this will evaporate." Eight hours from the notice,
the bldg is surrounded
5:59pm PST - The LA County Police say there is a 50-50 chance of a bomb, but the same officers went into the van with no
protective equipment. The building has not been evacuated, and the bomb squad has just been called.
5:54pm PST - Based on an anonymous tip given to LAPD this morning that there was a bomb in a van, at 4:30 PM, the County
police detained the two owners of the van, and blocked the parking lot including the area with the satellite truck. This
has eliminated our broadca
5:51pm PST - The IMC satellite broadcast has been delayed because of an LAPD claim of a bomb threat in a Westfalia in
the parking lot. The police are detaining two people at this time and we are waiting for more info. The satellite truck
has been evacuated.
1:21pm PST - Approximately 9 people who locked arms were arrested at 6th and Flower. The report is police placed a wedge
between the main U'wa protest group which marched from Pershing Square. Approximately 100-200 people surrounded the
arrestees.
12:48pm PST - la.indymedia.org now has a section for breaking news. This section will include up to the second updates
of what is happening on the streets of LA.