LA riot cops clash with BLM outside Mayor Garcetti's mansion as protester gather for a 13th consecutive day to persuade Biden not to appoint 'hated' Mayor to his cabinet
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's home was surrounded by police yesterday as Black Lives Matter protesters targeted him during the hugely unpopular lockdown imposed in California.
Violent clashes between officers and protesters who do not want Garcetti to be appointed to he Biden administration broke out on Sunday morning, with one arrest, as nearly two weeks of demonstrations continued.
Videos from outside Getti House - the Mayor's official residence - showed LAPD wearing riot helmets using batons on the protesters and knocking many of them to the ground, as people screamed and shouted at the scene.
The group, made up of BLM and grassroots organisation Ground Game LA members, were seen attempting to protect themselves from the baton swipes, with one using a cooking pan as a shield and another using a water bottle.
After more than four million LA residents were ordered by Garcetti to stay at home on Wednesday last week, protesters continued to take to the streets outside his home in a bid to ensure President-elect Joe Biden does not appoint Garcetti into his administration.
The mayor has been rumored to be the pick for Biden's housing or transportation chief, but protesters argue he has a failed to deliver on homelessness and public transport and should not get the position.
Police and protesters clashed on Sunday, with officers wearing riot helmets using batons on the crowd which turned out to protest outside LA Mayor Garcetti's official residence
Footage from the protest showed officers hitting members of the protest with batons and the crowd attempting to shield themselves, with some holding cooking pans and water bottles to lessen the blows
The Black Lives Matter LA group, which organized the protests, said: 'For the past two weeks, we have been holding peaceful gatherings outside Mayor Garcetti’s mansion, urging Joe Biden to commit to keeping our failed mayor out of his administration.
'On Day 13, LAPD advanced without warning and violently attacked us.'
An LAPD statement, reported by LAIst, stated they had advanced on the crowd to arrest someone using a bullhorn - suggesting it was a violation of the city code barring 'sound exceeding 200 feet'.
'After multiple warnings, four officers attempted to make an arrest when the crowd moved in on the officers, punching, pushing and kicking.
'Officers used their baton to prevent the crowd from forcefully attempting to remove the suspect from Police custody. However the suspect ultimately got away.'
Protesters have been leading peaceful protests outside Garcetti's home in LA for around two weeks in an attempt to urge President-elect Joe Biden not to appoint the current LA Mayor into his administration
Police were seen beating people with batons and shoving some to the ground as violence erupted, with many people screaming and shouting
Another member of the protest was instead arrested, Jamie Penn, after claims she tried to use force to help the suspect get away from police - something she denies.
Instead, the street medic claims she was trying to help an elderly man who had been pushed to the floor before the officers rushed on them.
She was detained and released later that same day.
Speaking to KTLA, Black Lives Matter La co-founder Melina Abdullah suggested the same, claiming officers 'ambushed' the crowd.
She said before the violent broke out around 45 minutes into the protests, people had been praying and doing breath work together.
As a result of the recent clashes, she claims two protesters were hospitalized and another had their teeth knocked - but the group are still determined to return to Garcetti's house today.
Another BLM organizer named Akili, 72, told Los Angeles Times that the police formed a line on 6th and Irving, blocking the street before moving in 'scrimmage formation' against them.
As violence broke out, the LAPD put out an 'Officer Needs Help' call and declared an unlawful assembly.
Black Lives Matter Los Angeles has organised rallies outside Garcetti's home over the past few weeks, most of which have remained peaceful. Pictured: Protest outside the mayor's residence on November 30
The protesters claim Garcetti should not be part of the new administration, of which he is rumored to be picked for housing or transport chief. Pictured: Protest outside the mayor's residence on November 30
One officer is said to have possible concussion when his head hit the ground.
As videos of the violence began to emerge, several politicians have come out to denounce the police's actions.
Within a few hours, California State Assemblyman Miguel Santiago wrote: 'LAPD’s brutal actions this morning are unacceptable and must be denounced by everyone.
'I stand with you in denouncing police brutality demanding the immediate release of Jamie! #FREEJAMIE'
In addition, US Congressman Jimmy Gomez said: 'In regards to @lapd response at Getty House today: Peaceful protestors deserve the space and protections to make their voices heard.
'Anything short of that is NOT acceptable. No exceptions. No excuses.'
Assemblywoman Wendy Carillo added: 'The right to peacefully protest is a First Amendment Right that is sacred.
During the protest yesterday, one woman was arrest after LAPD officers said she was trying to help someone get away from police custody. Pictured: Protest outside the mayor's residence on November 30
Since the violence yesterday, several political figures have spoken out to denounce the actions of the LAPD. Pictured: Protest outside the mayor's residence on November 30
'I urge LAPD to restrain from use of force, practice deescalation tactics and ultimately, protest the public.
'Peaceful protests should not lead to police in riot gear making arrest amid Covid-19.'
The unpopular lockdown order, which was published on the Mayor's website last week, applies to the city's 4 million residents in Los Angeles as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surge in the area.
Garcetti's order, which has a long list of exemptions for residents and businesses, mirrored a directive put in place by Los Angeles County health officials earlier the previous week.
The city, which is the second-largest city in the country, was told the new move was 'necessary for the protection of life and property in the City of Los Angeles'.
Garcetti urged residents to 'cancel everything,' saying no one should be hosting gatherings or going to gatherings. Those who break the rules may potentially be arrested, he warned.
It comes as Los Angeles County, which is home to the city and has about 10 million residents total, reported surges in daily cases with 6,000 infections recorded yesterday.
Garcetti's order limits nearly all social gatherings of people from more than a single household but exempts religious services and protests protected by the constitution.
He also directed businesses requiring the presence of workers to close, and set restrictions on travel, but specified a long list of exceptions to both.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's order, which has a long list of exemptions for residents and businesses, mirrors a directive put in place by Los Angeles County health officials last week
According to the order, people need to remain in their homes and avoid travel - including walking, cycling and public transport - except if they need to engage in a number of the exempt activities such as visiting certain businesses and exercise.
Beaches are to remain open for swimming and exercise, and walking trails can operate during normal business hours.
The order also calls for business to cease operations if it requires in person attendance but, again, there are exemptions.
Those businesses that are exempt from the order include healthcare operations, supermarkets and convenience stores, liquor stores, gas stations, banks, hardware stores, handymen services and laundromats, among others.
Retail stores that follow the county's in-person shopping health protocols are allowed to remain open. Indoor capacity, however, must be limited to 20 percent and be closed between 10pm to 5am.
Personal care establishments such as hair and nail salons, tattoo parlors and tanning salons must limit indoor capacity to 20 percent.