By: Stephen Oduntan
The news of a grand jury’s decision to not charge any of the officers for their role in Breonna Taylor’s death boiled over into angry demonstrations in cities across the US this week. Including Los Angeles.
Hundreds filled the streets for the second night straight on Thursday and were met with a heavy police presence into the night.
At least two Los Angeles Police Department helicopters roared overhead, shining a light beam in the dark sky.
“It’s important for everyone to come out into the streets today because the Louisville pigs who murdered Breonna Taylor got off. They were not charged with murder. The reality is everyone has to be out on the streets demanding justice for Breonna Taylor and getting organized for revolution. Now is not the time to sit on the sidewalks,” said Luna Hernandez, an activist with Revolution Club.
A racially diverse mix of demonstrators had gathered a little after 7:00 pm at Hollywood Forever Cemetery before they began marching through Hollywood neighborhoods.
They chanted “No Justice, No Peace, F**k The Racist Ass Police.”
But what was an hours-long peaceful protest, took a violent turn after a truck drove into a group of protesters, striking a young woman as the driver sped off, appearing to drive over the injured protester.
An LAPD helicopter that was tracking the protest was able to follow the truck as it belted, directing ground units which pulled over the driver, who exited the vehicle and surrendered to police blocks away from the scene.
“Shortly after 9:00 pm a blue pick-up truck traveling on Sunset maneuvered through the crowd and became involved in an altercation,” the LAPD said in a written statement. “As the driver attempted to get away from the situation, he struck a protestor standing in the street.”
An ambulance transported two people to the hospital.
“They’re trying to kill us because we’re out here fighting for Black lives,” said Rox, a 21-year-old woman who wished only to give her first name.
After that incident, the driver of a white Prius tried to drive past the same demonstration and “also became involved in an altercation with individuals in the crowd,” said the LAPD.
There were other isolated tense moments with police after officers formed a line blocking the street. Several protesters yelled in the faces of the police officers.
“Peaceful protest,” they yelled repeatedly.
The demonstration didn’t stop there. Protesters continued to let their voices be heard as they marched along Fountain Avenue and closing off traffic at times.
LAPD officers stood at the ready.
“As we march tonight, remember what’s we’re fighting for,” said Rox. “Some might think that this is a game and they get to walk away whenever they want. But just know that for the Black community this is a fight for our lives. This is a fight for our civil rights.”
Several speakers addressed the crowd.
Protester Da’ Money Trevino said the goal was to apply political and legal pressure that ultimately dismantles longstanding barriers that cause police violence against Black Americans.
He added that this wasn’t the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s when activists led marches and staged lunch counter sit-ins and integrated bus rides to demand equal rights for African Americans.
“This is the new civil rights movement,” Trevino said.
As of 11:15 pm crowds began to disperse.
The protest was largely peaceful, police said.
Stephen Oduntan, a freelance journalist and guest contributor at Reel Urban News. He previously worked for LA Focus Newspaper, Eye of the Media, and Dig Mag. Oduntan has a BA in journalism from California State University, Long Beach, and a Masters in creative writing from Royal Holloway, University of London.
