Thread: LA mayor cuts short Mexico trip over police clash

LA mayor cuts short Mexico trip over police clash
By Dan Whitcomb
Reuters
Updated: 6:38 p.m. MT May 4, 2007
LOS ANGELES - The mayor of Los Angeles cut short a trip to Mexico Friday amid a furor over a May Day clash between police and pro-immigrant protesters, returning home to say what happened "was wrong" and he would set it right.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who was out of the country when police used rubber bullets and batons to clear protesters from a city park, ended his Latin American trade mission five days early and held a televised news conference at City Hall to address the outcry.

Villaraigosa told reporters he expected a thorough investigation into police activities in the park Tuesday, but added: "We don't need a long and lengthy investigation to stand up and speak the truth. What happened on May 1 was wrong and I'm here to make it right."

The former Latino activist and crusader for immigrant rights who is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, urged witnesses to come forward with their stories even if they were here illegally.

"You have my personal commitment that whatever your status in this country, you can come forward and tell your stories without fear," he said.

Los Angeles police have struggled for years to overcome a reputation for heavy-handed tactics that dates to the videotaped 1991 beating of black motorist Rodney King by four officers.

America's second most-populous city erupted into some of the worst urban riots in modern U.S. history a year later when the officers were acquitted in court. Two were later convicted in federal court and sentenced to prison terms.

At least four investigations have already been opened into the MacArthur Park incident, including two by the Los Angeles Police Department as well as probes by the FBI and the city's police commission.

Earlier Friday, three residents who say they were caught up in the sweep filed federal lawsuits against the city.

Journalists were also caught up in the fray and Patricia Ballaz, a TV camerawoman who said she was injured when officers struck her with a baton filed a claim for damages. Ballaz said in the claim, typically a precursor to a lawsuit, that she suffered a wrist fracture, chest bruises and ankle injuries in the incident.

Some 25,000 people marched through Los Angeles Tuesday as part of nationwide protests intended to demonstrate the political might of Latinos and help win amnesty for illegal immigrants. (Additional reporting by Tomas Sarmiento and Catherine Bremer in Mexico City)

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Villaraigosa told reporters he expected a thorough investigation into police activities in the park Tuesday, but added: "We don't need a long and lengthy investigation to stand up and speak the truth. What happened on May 1 was wrong and I'm here to make it right."

How does he know it was wrong? He wasn't even in the country and an investigation certainly hasn't been completed yet. The LAPD doesn't deserve to be ostracized by this jerk for doing their job! Truth be known their actions probably prevented an out of control street riot.

Trust me here, Mayor Antonio Reconquista returned to LA for the express purpose of a gigantic photo opportunity and to give comfort to all the illegals so they will vote (yes, I said vote) for him when he runs for Governor of California.