LAPD fights mob of angry protesters

Police Capt. Jim Rubert said the conflict began after about 700 protesters gathered outside the designated rally site. Officers fired rubber bullets when protesters threw gallon-sized jars and broken glass at them, he said.

Officer Don Cox said police arrested three people for investigation of assaulting a peace officer with a deadly weapon. Several protesters showed reporters welts left by rubber bullets, but Cox said no injuries were reported.

Police did not immediately release names of the three arrested.

The rally after the clash, which occurred about 3:30 p.m., was relatively peaceful, although Richard Solomon, an attorney with the National Lawyers Guild who said he was serving as a civil rights observer, said one demonstrator seeking medical attention was arrested for allegedly assaulting a horse.

Police "have done everything in their power to be as provocative as they possibly can, without any reason," Solomon said.

More than 200 police officers -- some in riot gear, some on horseback -- surrounded about 1,500 people who shouted at them and raised their fists while listening to speakers whose loved ones were killed or injured in police conflicts.

"You all are the worst police force in the U.S. history. You all have disgraced this country," said Brian Smith, who said his brother Danny Ray Smith died of asphyxiation in 1998 as Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies were moving him from one part of the Twin Towers jail in downtown Los Angeles to another.

Alleged corruption at LAPD's Rampart station was a key topic at the demonstration, part of a national protest scheduled for more than 50 cities. But speakers also criticized out-of-town police actions, including the New York City police shooting of Amadou Diallo, and the Pennsylvania death-penalty case of Mumia Abu-Jamal.

James Lafferty, executive director of the local chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, said he had the permit needed for the rally and march through downtown, and a Police Department community affairs sergeant had given him verbal permission to loop around the headquarters.

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