Los Angeles Downtown News 06-15-20

Drive-By Doo Gooders

Commercial Building Fire

Car delivers hope to Skid Row

LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism

Page 3

Section investigating Page 11

June 1, 2020 I VOL. 49 I #22

Protests Continue Downtown Activities are peaceful; full coverage inside

THE VOICE OF DOWNTOWN LA SINCE 1972

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

2 DOWNTOWN NEWS

Protesters hold signs outside of City Hall wishing Breonna Taylor a happy birthday on June 5. Later that day the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to Taylor, who was killed by Louisville police officers in Kentucky.

A classic car with a painted black power fist drives alongside the protesters near City Hall, honking as people cheer.

Photo by Sarah Donahue/LA Downtown News

Protesters rest on the sidewalk after marching through the streets of Downtown.

Photo by Sarah Donahue/LA Downtown News

Los Angeles Downtown News 161 Pasadena Ave., Suite B South Pasadena, CA 91030 213-481-1448

Two protesters share an embrace while marching through Downtown.

Photo by Sarah Donahue/LA Downtown News

Black Lives Matter protesters march on the streets of the Jewelry District on June 5.

A crowd of protesters gathers in front of City Hall before marching through the streets on June 5.

Photo by Sarah Donahue/ LA Downtown News

Photo by Sarah Donahue/ LA Downtown News

Protesters march for justice.

Photo by Sarah Donahue/LA Downtown News

JUNE 15, 2020

Police motorcycles lined up watching the protesters march by.

Photo by Sarah Donahue/LA Downtown News

Photo by Sarah Donahue/LA Downtown News

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski STAFF WRITERS: William Bergholz, Sarah Donahue CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Kamala Kirk, Anthony Torrise ART DIRECTORS: Arman Olivares, Stephanie Torres ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb FOUNDER EMERITUS: Sue Laris

1620 W. FOUNTAINHEAD PARKWAY, SUITE 219 TEMPE, ARIZONA 85282 PRESIDENT: Steve T. Strickbine VICE PRESIDENT: Michael Hiatt

S I N C E 19 7 2 facebook: L.A. Downtown News

twitter: DowntownNews

instagram: @ladowntownnews

©2020 Times Media Group. Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Times Media Group. All rights reserved. The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Downtown News has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in Court Judgement No. C362899. One copy per person.

JUNE 15, 2020

DOWNTOWN NEWS 3

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Every Sunday, Skid Row’s curbside residents anticipate one of the only steady sources of support that comes their way.

Submitted photo

Drive-By DooGooders deliver hope to Skid Row

By Anthony Torrise very Sunday, Skid Row’s curbside residents anticipate one of the only steady sources of support that comes their way. A car with the words “Drive-By Do-Gooders,” driven by Lycia Naff, arrives at Sixth Street and turns onto Gladys Avenue, then Ceres Avenue, then Towne Avenue, and many more streets throughout Skid Row. For the 120 or so people who approach the car every week, Naff hands out two bottles of water, body wipes, some form of protein, and—as of recently—masks and gloves.

Bathrooms, showers and water fountains are not easily accessible to those who live in Skid Row, which makes this the primary source of hydration and hygiene for many. Over the course of seven years, Naff has formed relationships with lots of people who live in, around and on the outskirts of Skid Row. Naff was introduced to the area in 2013, when she was invited to serve in a feeding line on Gladys Avenue. She recalled helping a woman move her shopping cart up a curb and how it stuck with her. The next day, she went back to see the same woman and gave her water and wipes.

“It just grew and grew and grew,” Naff said. She began going back with more supplies every week until she was barely able to keep up with buying them.

Naff then started setting aside 10% of her income and used it to supply her efforts until 2015, when she began the process of forming a nonprofit organization. Over the past five years, Drive-By Do-Gooders has been kept afloat thanks to donations and support from Naff’s friends and community.

Her experience with homelessness goes back much further than seven years, however. Naff’s brother, Cory Naff, was a victim of addiction and homeless in Venice Beach for 25 years before she was able to get him any help six years ago.

Her brother is sober and now has a steady job, but Naff continues to want to get out and help the homeless community.

“A pandemic isn’t really gonna scare me much. I’ve got my mask on, I’ve got a little plastic shield and I got gloves, which I’ve always worn anyway. The only bummer is it’s hard to shout out,” Naff said.

To make a donation or to find out how you can help, contact Lycia Naff at lycia@drivebydogooders.com or visit drivebydogooders.org.

E

free pick up and delivery following CDC guidelines to keep your family and ours safe

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

4 DOWNTOWN NEWS

DT

Covered will help LETTER California TO THE EDITOR

Let’s bring peace Editor: Thank you, thank you, thank you, Los Angeles, for showing me just how much love an angel possesses, just how much love an angel has to offer.

Thank you for inspiring me to do my part, in sharing this love. Last week, I watched in disbelief as our city was being torn to shreds, shattered glass everywhere, stores looted dry, and agents of chaos running loose around our city with obvious intent to destroy. It shook me to my core.

I feared for our community, not necessarily for myself but more so for the many Angelenos I knew were going to suffer more pain during an already very difficult time in our history.

As I was glued watching the riveting coverage of this live reality TV show that we are all participants in, I began to notice a pattern occur. I watched as a young woman stood in front of the R.E.I. store in Santa Monica and put her life on the line as she stood up to a large burly man with a hammer trying to break the glass on the front door. As she stepped in front of him shaking her head no, no, no, the large man slumped his shoulders and shamefully walked away. To that beautiful young soul, I would like to say thank you for your unbelievable courage and fearless resolve in the face of chaos. Thank you for doing what we all know needed to be done but are probably too scared to do ourselves.

Soon afterward, as a reporter was interviewing her, she said, “This isn’t about that,” and I think we all knew exactly what she was talking about. I know I did. A few minutes later on this nonstop reality show, which was so engrossing, I began watching a small group of business owners and

FAMOUS FIRE-GRILLED CHICKEN

locals stand up to potential looters in Hollywood who looked like they wanted to break into a jewelry store next door. I watched as they all shook their heads no, no, no toward the looters and they too walked away.

That’s when I noticed the winds of change begin to take hold and blow through this beautiful City of Angels. I began to feel the wind carry me, I began to feel the wind inspire me and I began to feel the wind converge into this great energy flowing throughout the city. The energy I believe only the love of an angel possesses. By the middle of the week it seemed as if the looters and agents of chaos were much more terrified of the protesters than they were of the police, as they were nowhere to be found. The mood had shifted quickly from terrifying moments of chaos and looting to these great marches of energy full of love and passion, driven by a genuine grassroots movement the likes the world has never seen. Millions began marching in cities all over the world and showing their support for the injustices of racism that have plagued our planet for centuries. A genuine grassroots movement led by Black Lives Matter that was actually of the people, for the people and about the people.

Let’s use this great energy and create a more perfect union as promised in our Constitution. So, I say let’s paint a picture of a better world, a world where an African American man can leave his home without worrying about being harassed or worse just because of the color of his skin.

Let’s become the creator of this new world and finally live up to that self-evident truth that all men are created equal Continued on page 7

JUNE 15, 2020

BRANCH’S OPINION

Hey you! Speak up!

Downtown News wants to hear from people in the community. If you like or dislike a story, let us know, or weigh in on something you feel is important to the community.

Participation is easy. Go to downtownnews.com, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the “Letter to the Editor” link. For guest opinion proposals, please email christina@timespublications.com.

JUNE 15, 2020

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Masked protesters march along the streets of Downtown on June 5.

DOWNTOWN NEWS 5

Help us keep the tradition going of “never being closed and never without a customer” Thank you for your support.

Photo by Sarah Donahue/ LA Downtown News

Asian Americans show support in Black Lives Matter protests

By Sarah Donahue s Angelenos gather for the second week of protests after George Floyd was killed by a former Minneapolis police officer, Asian Americans showed their support, lining up among protestors in front of City Hall on June 5, many holding signs reading, “Asians for Black Lives.”

As a Filipino, gay American citizen, Josh Teodoro said he has a duty to fight for black lives, as many fought for rights for LGBTQ people in the 1960s.

“We wouldn’t have our rights here without black trans women fighting for gay rights in the Stonewall Riots,” he said while marching through the streets of Downtown.

Historians claim the Stonewall Riots were a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world. After the gay community grew tired of being targeted, the popular gay club The Stonewall Inn and the surrounding streets in New York City became a riot zone after the patrons began throwing bottles at policemen in June 1969, where the protests lasted for around six days.

In 2019, the New York Police Department formally apologized for its role in perpetuating discrimination against LGBTQ people, and later, June was designated as LGBTQ pride month to commemorate the people who fought for their rights.

Teodoro, 23, also voiced his concerns for the prejudices that have permeated through generations of Filipinos.

“As a Filipino, we are raised to be pacified to racism and brush off the black community,” he said. “Because in the Filipino culture you see dark skin as being poor.”

He expressed how problematic that ideology is and how important it is for young Filipino Americans to educate their parents on these prejudices.

“We have built commercial products to make our skin look lighter, and that is teaching our youth that these black communities aren’t worth it,” he said.

Jon Park, also known by his rap name Dumbfoundead, said there was a big push on social media for Asian Americans to come out

A

and show their support at the protests.

“It’s been beautiful,” he said. “It’s ironic that at the time we have the least leadership we’re the most united.”

Park and his 60-year-old mother, who live in Koreatown, attended the protest in front of City Hall on June 5, holding signs saying, “Koreans for Black Lives.”

After he sent his mother Black Lives Matter translated resources for Koreans, explaining what the movement is about, he said his mother quickly empathized and asked how she could show support.

“Explaining that to an older Korean woman who lived through the LA riots of ’92 is not easy,” he said. Park’s mother was one of the many people whose business was destroyed during that time.

“A lot of older-generation Koreans who lived through the ‘92 riots have a sort of resentment toward the black community,” but his mother quickly understood the importance of the protests, he said.

“It’s a tough generation to empathize, but to me, if I can get my mom to come out to a protest, then young Asian Americans can step up and speak up for it. There’s no excuse,” Park said.

Kylie Castaneda, a 27-year-old Asian Latino woman, said she feels a need to stand up for the struggles that all minorities face.

“We have the same oppressor,” she said while marching Downtown. “We both are fighting against white supremacy.”

This was Castaneda’s first protest. After her positive experience, she said she plans on attending more protests near Koreatown, where she lives.

“It’s so amazing to see Asian Americans of all generations,” she said. “I’ve seen little kids, I’ve seen elderly, I’ve seen whole families here.”

Undoing the 400 years of systemic racism that this nation was built on is what these protests are all about, she said.

“It’s so beautiful to see all the different types of minorities here,” she said. “I’ve seen everyone come together and really try to make a change, and I really believe that we can.”

TRY OUR FAMOUS COLESLAW!

nner Specials

877 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017 213-972-9279 • Order thru Uber Eats...

6 DOWNTOWN NEWS

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

JUNE 15, 2020

Garcetti taps head of human rights department

By William Bergholz Mayor Eric Garcetti has tapped Capri Maddox to lead the city’s first Department of Civil and Human Rights.

“It’s time for a change,” Maddox said during a press conference. “It’s time for a change in Los Angeles and everywhere.”

Garcetti echoed that sentiment during a June 5 press conference in which he updated Angelenos on the city’s response to the Black Lives Matter protests and the coronavirus.

The city of Los Angeles and the LAPD has work to do, he said. “That’s what I believe as your mayor, but it’s what I believe as your neighbor.”

The new department will have a Civil and Human Rights Commission, where people can work to end discrimination and bring justice. Garcetti is hoping business, education and societal disparities will end.

The department will enforce the LA Civil and Human Rights Ordinance, which was passed last year. It will include an Office of Racial Equity, which will conduct research outreach and policy development, and help apply an equity lens to how LA spends public dollars and how programs impact communities of color.

Garcetti thanked council President Martinez; council members Herb J. Wesson Jr., Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Mitch O’Farrell; as well as the partner Community Coalition for their critical work in creating the department, which launches July 1.

As of June 5, the National Guard began using fewer personnel in LA. Garcetti thanked the National Guard, saying, “We thank you for your service.”

Regarding BLM’s fight to end systemic racism, Garcetti hopes for Angelenos to find common ground.

“We must not find the enemies among us; we have to find the enemies within us.

We must act on the promise to eradicate racism in our hearts and our policies. To bring about a moment that is safe for all of us no matter our color, our neighborhood or our title.”

Garcetti praised the LAPD and the work that it does with its lives on the line. He mentioned there are people who don’t believe in the LAPD. Instead, they think the LAPD is an excuse for people to use bad behavior. In response to this, Garcetti said, “I won’t ever stop lifting up the stories, the heroic stories, of our police officers on our streets.”

This sharing of resources is another job to finish. About $250 million will be invested in jobs, community programs, healing for the black community, other communities of color and women.

Garcetti has been working with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other leaders across the

county to bring all this work to Washington to create national legislation. The Hero’s Act, which has passed through the House of Representatives and is now on its way to the Senate, is as an example of what these kinds of investments can become.

Garcetti called for the state and federal government with funds to join him and expand the community safety partnership, a program in which police officers volunteer and are put in communities for five years, where they and the neighborhood get to know each other. This way, the police aren’t seen as occupiers and form deep relationships with the people. Garcetti recalled officers who had this experience. They said, “This is why I became a police officer. This is who I am.”

Furthermore, Garcetti supports proposals being put forward by the California Legislative Black Caucus to restore voting rights to those who are serving parole, to improve emergency response services for historically neglected communities and to seek reparations for the impact of slavery on African Americans.

Garcetti also addressed the coronavirus’ impact on LA. Angelenos should continue to use health precautions like social distancing, hand washing, wearing face masks and staying at home to prevent a second wave.

Gov. Gavin Newsom released new state guidance that allowed many types of businesses to reopen as early June 12. However, ultimately, the County Department of Public Health will determine when it is safe to reopen those businesses in Los Angeles.

In the meantime, many Angelenos have been using food delivery apps. However, those apps have been charging excessive fees to restaurants. In response to this, Garcetti has signed a City Council ordinance that will temporarily cap the fees to no more than 15% of the cost of the meal.

Garcetti hopes this ordinance will help pay for more cooks, waiters, staff and jobs so restaurant businesses can survive the pandemic.

The county has shown that key indicators are slightly increasing, including the transmission rate. Previously, Los Angeles had reduced its transmission rate to one or less than one. Now, it’s back on the rise. The County Department of Public Health anticipates that there are enough ventilators and regular hospital beds available to care for patients for the next four weeks. As for the BLM protesters, UCLA released guidance that says two to seven days after one has stopped protesting would be a good time to get a COVID-19 test.

As of June 5, the county reported 1,145 new cases, bringing the total to 61,045 cases. Last week’s total was 51,000. That’s

Mayor Eric Garcetti spoke during a June 5 press conference about the city’s response to the Black Lives Matter protests and the coronavirus

Photo courtesy Mayor Eric Garcetti

around a 10,000 increase in one week. In the city, there were 624 new cases, bringing the total to 28,297 cases. A week ago, the total was 24,261. There have been 36 new deaths countywide, bringing the total death toll to 2,565. During the week of June 5, there were 281 deaths, and 245 deaths the week before. Deaths were going down each week. This is the first week deaths have gone back up.

“COVID is still here and it is still deadly. So if you’re out in a protest or planning to join a demonstration, please wear your mask, maintain your distance, protect yourself, protect everyone around you and your family and your loved ones,” Garcetti advised.

Twenty-five city and county test sites have been open. As of June 5, they had the capacity to test 22,000 people. That includes all drive-thru sites, walk-in centers, and mobile test teams for the elderly at skilled nursing facilities. The LAFD, LAPD and Department of Transportation personnel have been redeploying to testing sites, and volunteers have been returning to serve.

“I’m grateful to everybody who’s been working at a testing center saving lives for us this week,” Garcetti said.

More than 50,000 people have been tested this week.

“Good news and you need to get a test,” Garcetti said.

The link cornoavirus.lacity.org/testing is the best way to schedule an appointment for a test.

During this time of pain and heart grievance, Garcetti advises Angelenos to turn toward faith and tradition for guidance and comfort.

Garcetti looked to a Jewish prayer for

peace: “We have not come into being to hate or to destroy. We have come into being to praise, to labor and to love.”

“I praise these peaceful protests, and I’m proud to join their call for change. I will continue to labor to reform our budget.

To find ways to support all safety for all people in this city. To reimagine a city that doesn’t just return to normal, and that gets through some of the most abnormal times we’ve ever experienced. And I’ll continue making those investments, reporting the hard truths, helping us try to find the common ground to heal. I know that love and light can get us through these dark days, but so must our actions. And regardless of our personal beliefs, we can never see ourselves only through the lens of division. We must never be defined solely by the limits of politics or partisanship or, as I said, the enemy outside. We must look to the truths inside, the simple solutions that won’t work, but the tough calls that can give us the hope for the future we deserve. And we have to keep our attention where it should be in stopping this pandemic and on honoring with action the memory of George Floyd and all the names of our fellow Americans, our fellow Americans. Because if we are to be one nation, we must make that a reality each and every day. The heroes that are inside each one of us, whether you’re marching on the streets or wearing a badge, whether you’re working in City Hall, or whether you’re out there at home right now watching and hoping for a better day, that is our common purpose and our common work. And we certainly need strength and love to complete it. So I wish that to you and your family tonight. Thank you, Los Angeles,” Garcetti closed.

DOWNTOWN NEWS 7

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

+ 5 CLASSIC WINGS LARGE PIZZA

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, 4

6/30/20.

DOWNLOAD THE APP SIGN UP TODAY!

foronly

$10

RACK UP POINTS FOR THE THINGS YOU BUY EVERY DAY. REDEEM THOSE POINTS FOR FREE REWARDS. PLUS, GET A FREE DRINK OR SNACK WHEN YOU REGISTER.

EARN

points for every $1 you spend

REDEEM your points for FREE food & drink

0 0 . +Tax

SCORE

bonus offers to get rewards even faster

1800 E. OLYMPIC BLVD. (AT OLYMPIC & ALAMEDA ST.) Se Habla Español • ALWAYS OPEN • 213-627-5008 AL A VE

New El Segundo Location: 2161 El Segundo Blvd., 310-648-7697

7 TH S

T

NTR

©

ATM

PROPANE (REFILL), GAS & DIESEL 24 HOURS / 7 DAYS A WEEK

Amazon Lockers at both our Locations: DTLA “Chalus” & El Segundo “Sipla”

OL YM

ST

and/or exploiting our Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian or LGBTQ community, you may have been born here, but trust me, you are no American!

To be an American, you must strongly denounce all forms of racism, bigotry and sexism. Because IMHO, America has always been more about where we’re going than where we’ve been or where we’re from!

This is our time in history to stand and show our support as we march with Black Lives Matter, and I believe these marches shall guide us toward that promise in our Constitution, marching toward a more perfect union.

Mr. Floyd was an American, an African American whose life was just as valuable as our own brother or son or father. Mr. Floyd knew where he was going, and now may his soul rest in peace in heaven with God. The other man, the murderer whom I won’t give the pleasure of calling out his name, doesn’t deserve to walk among us.

The cold-blooded killer doesn’t even deserve to be called human. That day the world looked into the eyes of the sickness, the hatred, the pure evil that only the devil possesses. That day the world looked into the eyes of a murderer, and may he never see the light of day.

Joa Michael Rosa

S CE

and thus shall be judged on the merits of their character and not based on the color of their skin, the philosophies of the religion they choose to follow or the people they choose to share their lives with.

By the end of the week, I realized those weren’t windows we were breaking but, rather, cages we were shaking—the cages of history. We were rattling the cages of racism that have stained our country for far too long. Racism that was born out of slavery and inflicted so much pain and suffering on a race of people just because of the color of their skin, and to those who say, “Well, we ended slavery,” I say it never should have started.

Every step we take as we march through our streets is a step toward ending racism, bigotry, sexism and poverty and releasing us from the cages of history.

Two weeks ago, the world watched in horror as a defenseless George Floyd, handcuffed and lying on the asphalt, was murdered as the knee of a man sworn to protect him pressed his hatred on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. This man who swore an oath to protect us may have been born in the USA. Trust me, he’s no American! Anyone with the intent of causing harm and/or exploiting our black, brown, Asian or white brothers and sisters, anyone with intentions of causing harm

PI

C

BL VD

S ALAMEDA

JUNE 15, 2020

H

8 DOWNTOWN NEWS

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

Volunteers offer water, food and first aid to protesters A

By Sarah Donahue s Angelenos gather for the second week of demonstrations after the killing of George Floyd, volunteers can be found among the masses every day, handing out food, water and hand sanitizer to the protesters marching in the summer sun.

“People have to take care of themselves,” said Briana “B” Moreno, while holding a garbage bag at a protest at City Hall on June 8. “In order to fight the man, they still need to be healthy.”

After Moreno, 31, recovered from Hodgkin’s lymphoma a couple of years ago, she realized health’s importance. Despite the looming danger of COVID-19, she attends protests, collecting garbage and passing out food, water and hand sanitizer to the crowds of people protesting against racial injustice.

“I have disposable income,” she said, mentioning how she was rehired after being furloughed because of COVID-19. “I have no problem going and buying as much water and supplies as people need.”

Despite being raised by her father, who was a former police officer, she stands with the movement and wants to speak out against racial injustice and the killings of innocent black people.

“While I agree with every single solitary thing that is happening, I just want people to remember they’re still human and they’re still susceptible and they need to stay hydrated and they need to stay clean,” she said.

When nurse Cristina Coronel has a day off, she and an informal network of around 100 of her peers attend protests around Los Angeles, wearing a red cross on their backpacks and offering first aid to the protesters.

“This is important,” Coronel said at a protest in front of City Hall on June 8. “This is bigger than us. I have a skill set that I can contribute beyond just being present and having my voice heard.”

The worst injury she treated this week was a dislocated shoulder, she said. Most of the cases she has seen at the protests have been people fainting due to dehydration or low blood sugar.

However, nurses in her network helped protesters at demonstrations where policemen fired rubber bullets in the crowd, causing severe injuries, she said.

As a nurse who is exposed to COVID-19, Coronel said she has to be careful at the protests, “but the concern of people getting hurt without the proper attention is greater, and the need to be here is greater than the virus, and that’s unfortunately where we’re at.”

Black and brown communities have been affected by COVID-19 at disproportionate rates, and she emphasized how racism is unfortunately embedded into the health care system.

“COVID is a black and brown disease and all of this is intertwined,” she said. “It’s all one in the same cause. Racism is a public health concern.”

In the past, Coronel has also worked as a nurse in the jail system.

“I’ve worked at the intersection of a broken health care system and a broken legal system, so all of this is tied in. You can’t marginalize an entire people for so long without there being consequences. As a health care provider, I see those consequences firsthand.”

While her plight as a first-generation Mexican American may not be the same as what African Americans have gone through for generations, she said she feels compelled to help in any way she can.

“There is a lot to be proud of, but it’s a movement that doesn’t occur in a week,” she said. “I’m hoping the momentum continues and people stay empowered and continue organizing.”

Brandon Wetzel, Jasmine Dodson-Schmanek and Rebecca Campione are part of a group of volunteers who travel from Hollywood in a rented Jeep to pass out food and water at protests around Los Angeles.

“We’ve been out pretty much every day since the protests have started,” Dodson-Schmanek said while standing next to their large cooler in front of City Hall on June 8. “We just noticed a lot of other people handing out stuff, and we wanted to contribute.”

After posting on social media, the group received donations and purchased snacks and water to distribute to protesters.

“I want to make sure that the other people who are out are taking care of themselves, because I’ve pushed myself to the point where I was ready to pass out more than one day in a row,” she said.

The group said this is the sixth day since it has started volunteering at protests, saying it has seen no violence and has beeen uplifted by the kindness of the people.

“I’m typically a person who kind of has lost faith in humanity, but these last couple weeks have really filled my heart and restored me with a faith in humanity, as everyone’s just come together

JUNE 15, 2020

A group of volunteers parked outside City Hall on June 5 passes out free water bottles to protesters.

Photos by Sarah Donahue/LA Downtown News

From left to right, Rebecca Campione, Jasmine Dodson-Schmanek and Brandon Wetzel offer food, water and medical supplies to protesters outside City Hall on June 8.

Briana “B” Moreno collects garbage from a protester outside City Hall on June 8.

all over the world,” Wetzel said.

After being raised in a small town, Wetzel said he has overcome the “redneck” ideology that he learned in his teenage years after joining the military and moving into cities with more diversity.

“People of all walks of life are affected by the decisions of white people,” he said, saying that he and the network of volunteers plan to attend protests until justice is brought to the families who have lost lives to police brutality.

The group of volunteers hopes the momentum from the movement continues, it said, emphasizing that the officers responsible for Breonna Taylor’s death have still not been charged.

Taylor was shot eight times by Louisville police in Kentucky after they entered her home with a no-knock warrant.

“It’s been 400 years of injustices and it’s been all building up to this moment this year, so I just think it’s super important to keep pushing,” Campione said. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

JUNE 15, 2020

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Mike A. Gipson

DOWNTOWN NEWS 9

Miguel Santiago

State leaders propose ban on carotid artery restraint

By Kamala Kirk or years, law enforcement departments across the country have used the controversial carotid artery restraint technique to forcibly subdue and detain suspects, despite its troubled history.

In the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, California Assembly Member Mike A. Gipson has introduced AB 1196, which would make it illegal for police officers to continue to employ this tactic.

“This bill is important because it calls for the elimination of carotid artery restraint by law enforcement, a practice that is not meant to be fatal but has proven fatal far too many times,” said Assembly Member Miguel Santiago, who has joined Gipson and other state leaders in announcing the legislation.

“Since the introduction of this bill, we’ve seen departments across the country abandon this use of restraint. Frankly, it is long overdue. We need to codify this prohibition in state law so that no one dies from a chokehold. We know that carotid artery restraint is prone to misapplication, leading to fatal and permanently damaging consequences, and we know the deadliness of this restraint. We need to ban it now.”

F

The carotid artery restraint technique involves applying pressure on the sides of another person’s neck to constrict airflow. Unfortunately, this application can result in severe injury or even death for the restrained subject. AB 1196 is awaiting hearing before the California State Senate.

“The death of George Floyd is an all-too-vivid example of systemic racism,” Santiago said. “We have seen it over and over again in just these last weeks with the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. This moment demands more from us. We need to be more aggressive and tear up the racist roots that are embedded in our communities and institutions.”

Last year, Santiago and other state leaders worked on AB 392 to reform police use of force. This year, they are working on a collection of bills that aim to create more accountability around discrimination, target violence and to uplift marginalized communities.

“This year we are pushing for an independent review unit to investigate officer-involved shootings and to establish a task force to study and develop reparation proposals for African Americans,” Santiago said. “These are just a few examples of the kind of justice-driven work we are trying to accomplish this year and hope to continue.”

10 DOWNTOWN NEWS

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

JUNE 15, 2020

Assistant chief joins prayer vigil

By Sarah Donahue cknowledging police aren’t the most popular people right now, LAPD Assistant Police Chief Robert Arcos addressed a small crowd of people holding “Black Lives Matter” signs at Tapestry Church over the weekend.

The LAPD and police departments all over the country have come under fire for their use of excessive force against peaceful protestors and lack of accountability for a long history of systemic racism. These protests came after the killing of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is being charged with second-degree murder.

Advocates for criminal justice and homeless Angelenos are suing the LAPD for use of excessive force and violating the people’s right to assemble. The suit was filed two weeks ago by the Los Angeles chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, Black Lives Matter and Los Angeles Community Action Network.

Before Arcos began his statement, he issued an apology to a victim of police brutality and thanked her for her words and vulnerability.

“I am sorry for the experience you had,” Arcos said to the woman in the crowd as her eyes welled with tears. “Please know that you are loved by everyone here, including myself. God bless you.”

During his speech, he talked about his love for Los Angeles and the power of prayer, and thanked the church for praying for the officers.

“We must end systemic racism,” he said. “We have to end police brutality. We have to end bias. Police departments have to be held accountable.”

During his time as a police officer, Arcos said he has been critical of the “ugly

A

things” he’s seen.

“I saw things that were not compassionate that was counter to our values,” he said. “But I’ve also seen change in this police department.”

An LAPD officer, Frank Hernandez, is being charged with one felony count of assault under color of authority after a video went viral of him repeatedly punching a suspect in Boyle Hills. “(About) 99.9% of our officers are doing the right thing, I promise you,” Arcos said. “Those who are not, we want them booted out.”

The LAPD is investigating 56 allegations of police misconduct during the past two weeks of protests. Two weeks ago, a video of an LAPD cruiser accelerating into a group of protestors Downtown went viral. Many are calling to defund the police.

The City Council recently announced it would not increase its budget as planned and would instead divest $150 million to $250 million to predominately black low-income communities. Despite their efforts, many Angelenos are calling to defund the police force further or abolish it completely.

While many think the idea of abolishing the police is far-fetched, Minneapolis officials confirmed their consideration to disband their police department. It’s already a reality in Camden, New Jersey, where the police department has been dissolved since 2012. The city saw a drop in crime by close to half, after being known as one of the most violent cities in the United States.

“We are progressing,” he said. “We are reforming. It’s not enough, I know, but it is coming, and with your help, with your voice, we will get there, I promise you.

Please trust in them.”

STAY...

• LOCALLY UPDATED • PROPERLY INFORMED • SAFE At a time when the entire world is in an ever-changing state, and health concerns are paramount, you can continue to rely on LA Downtown News to keep you informed on how the COVID-19 virus is affecting your local community. We appreciate the trust placed in us as the news and voice of the community.

Being good stewards of that trust means we are here for you, especially in difficult times.

LaDowntownNews.com

213.626.1500

themuseumtowerapts.com

JUNE 15, 2020

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

DOWNTOWN NEWS 11

WELCOME!

We are opening doors to the future with virtual touring.

We are temporarily closed for in-person tours but would love to meet you so call the leasing office today to set up your live virtual tour.

SELF-GUIDED tours and virtual tours now available at all properties Living in a beautifully appointed Museum Tower apartment home puts you in the middle of this cultural immersion.

Our ℮oor plans range in size from studios to two-bedroom apartments and boast tasteful amenities and functional features. Our property includes a €tness center, an outdoor heated pool, a social room and a 24-hour attended lobby.

LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section is investigating a June 8 fire at a 12,000-square-foot commercial building that spread to a produce market in the 800 block of Kohler Street Downtown.

Photo by William Bergholz/LA Downtown News

Commercial building fire under investigation L

By William Bergholz AFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section is investigating a June 8 fire at a 12,000-square-foot commercial building that spread to a produce market in the 800 block of Kohler Street Downtown.

The afternoon fire forced customers to evacuate the area.

Twenty minutes after the fire started, 112 LAFD firefighters, under the leadership of Assistant Chief Timothy Ernst, arrived on scene and dubbed the blaze a major emergency incident.

“Due to the extreme fire conditions, crews are getting water on the fire from the exterior prior to making an interior attack. There are multiple bays within this structure which have heavy fire,” LAFD said in an alert.

High winds made extinguishing the blaze difficult, as did the heavy equipment and debris that filled the building. To move the equipment and debris, firefighters performed an overhaul operation.

The fire caused parts of the commercial building’s roof and a wall to collapse. Two trucks outside of the building burned as well.

To save a second building from the blaze, multiple companies were placed along the alley between them.

LAFD firefighters extinguished the fire in one hour and 41 minutes. Firefighters stayed on the scene overnight to contain hotspots and clear the equipment and debris. No injuries were reported.

12 DOWNTOWN NEWS

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

JUNE 15, 2020