Activists Plan Immigration Vigil at MacArthur Park
The Associated Press

May 17, 2007, 10:24 AM PDT

More than three weeks after an immigration rally ended with police wielding batons and firing rubber bullets into the crowd, activists were organizing a vigil in the same park.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez planned to join activists Thursday evening at a rally and vigil marking the May 1 melee in MacArthur Park.

Four investigations are probing the incident, in which riot police used batons and rubber bullets to drive demonstrators and journalists out of the park. More than 60 citizen complaints involving up to 100 officers have been filed.

The Multi-Ethnic Immigrant Workers Organizing Network and the We Are American Coalition have scheduled a town hall-style meeting at a church, followed by a march and candlelight vigil at MacArthur Park.

The objectives of the gatherings include strengthening "the immigrant community's trust in being able to exercise their constitutional rights and not suffer violence," according to a statement from the groups.

Police designated "Media Safe Zones" on Wilshire Boulevard and asked journalists to go there if authorities declare an unlawful assembly and order demonstrators to disperse.

Villaraigosa was out of town on a trade mission to Central America during the May 1 clash. He cut short the trip and returned to Los Angeles three days after the rally after criticism for being away during a swelling crisis.

He has condemned the actions of the officers and promised thorough investigations of the incident.

After the mayor returned, Police Chief William Bratton demoted two high-ranking officers in charge during the MacArthur Park siege. Bratton said Wednesday that the ranking officer, Deputy Chief Cayler "Lee" Carter, decided to retire on June 6 rather than remain on a home assignment. He was also reduced to the rank of commander.

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