http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanlui ... 633087.htm

Posted on Thu, Sep. 28, 2006

Police arrest protesters demanding unionization at hotels

DAISY NGUYEN
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Police arrested dozens of protesters who sat in the middle of a busy thoroughfare near Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday to demand unionization of mostly immigrant workers at a dozen high-end hotels.

The arrests came after an afternoon of highly choreographed theatrics that included handing rosters of prospective arrestees to officers and training demonstrators to remain calm when they're detained.

Initially, a few thousand protesters gathered along the edges of hotel-lined Century Blvd., listening to music and speeches by activists who demanded unionization for workers and amnesty for an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants living in the country.

After walking over a mile along the boulevard, forcing the closure of a few lanes, several dozen protesters sat down in the middle of the road in front of the Hilton and Weston hotels.

"Better working conditions for workers!" yelled one protester as police escorted him in plastic handcuffs to a bus.

Those arrested will be taken to several county jail facilities where officers will complete the booking process, said Los Angeles police spokeswoman Mary Grady. Each will be cited for unlawful assembly, said Grady.

Sgt. Lee Sands said 302 people had given police their drivers' license numbers and other personal information in preparation to be arrested, but that a final tally wouldn't be known until late Thursday.

Volunteer arrestees had on yellow and black signs that said "I'm a human being" in English and Spanish.

"I decided to come here today because I want the rest of my people to be OK," said Elena Martinez, 56, a hotel worker and naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Mexico who had volunteered to be arrested.