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The anti-police brutality protests continue for an 11th day in Los Angeles. Demonstrators are demanding justice for black Americans killed by police officers, as well as asking officials to defund the L.A. Police Department.
Here's what we're seeing on the ground. We'll update throughout the day.
HOLLYWOOD
Protestors blocked the intersection of Hollywood and Vine this afternoon, later marching down Sunset.
Hollywood and Vine right now. It’s about BLM but also about the White House. “Trump/Pence Out Now” pic.twitter.com/OcAi1CPpc8
— Josie Huang (@josie_huang) June 6, 2020
DOWNTOWN
Over a hundred protesters gathered this morning at City Hall and Grand Park.
Good morning from DTLA.
— Josie Huang (@josie_huang) June 6, 2020
National Guard headed to LAPD HQ bringing water and MRE’s (as @chavatweets1 noticed) pic.twitter.com/Bpx5ziLRKe
The National Guard was spotted heading to LAPD headquarters, with water and MRE's (military-style meals) for the day. They had a strong presence on the ground today.
"We saw seven National Guard trucks lined up in a row," reporter Josie Huang said.
The gathering was peaceful. Blair Sebastian Toles of Van Nuys handed out flowers to protesters, who created makeshift memorials.
SIMI VALLEY
Several thousand protesters gathered in Simi Valley this morning and afternoon.
The protest began at Cochran and Sycamore, with demonstraters marching about two miles to Simi Valley City Hall. The protesters have been concentrated in a few different areas along the two-mile route, including at Tapo Canyon and Alamo.
The protest was organised by high school students, and was met with controversy, including condemnation by local city councilman Mike Judge.
On Monday Judge posted a meme of protesters on Facebook with this caption: "Wanna stop the riots? Mobilize the septic tank trucks, put a pressure cannon on 'em, and hose 'em down. The end."
He later said the meme was a joke, according to CBS: "That's all I wanted to do, was make fun of the mask wearing but obviously people didn't take it that way. I don't think I did anything wrong, except maybe post a joke that was in bad taste."
Simi Valley has a complicated history with racism in Southern California. In 1992, the trail for the police who beat-up Rodney King was moved from Los Angeles to Simi Valley, after claims that jury members in L.A. would be too biased.
The four officers were found not guilty. There were no black-identifying members of the jury, which was made up of nine white members, one biracial, one Latino and one Asian.
Jason Michael showed up to support the Black Lives Matter movement. He says anyone opposing it needs to understand that racism still exists in Simi Valley.
"I mean I've had my fair share of racism being in this town in the eight, nine years that I've been here, so it's definitely prevelent," he said. "I mean, everybody knows about it. It's just everybody's quiet about it and this is a chance for everybody to show up and say that they're not quiet and, take a stance on something that's right."
A small group of counter-protesters also made an appearance today. Erin Sanchez was one of them.
"Every single person in America has their right to peacefully protest," she said.
PROTESTS TODAY: WHERE AND WHEN
Note: This is by no means an exhaustive list. Let us know if we missed anything and we will update.
Downtown L.A., Peaceful Protests For Us By Us, 8 a.m., organizers say their goal is "to encourage California officials to take action and help their citizens fight injustice, especially within the black community."
CalState L.A., King Hall, 10 a.m. Organizers say "We stand in solitary with our Black brothers, sistars, queer, trans, and non binary family." They also said via Instagram that they ask attendees to observe social distancing and "respect space."
USC, Jefferson Blvd. and McClintock, 10 a.m. Organized by the USC Black Students Association
Highland Park
Please Join Homeless Hook Ups this Saturday as we March for Justice here in our Highland Park Community!!! #BlackLivesMatter #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd #NoSystemicRacism #Unity #HIghlandPark #Equality
Posted by Homeless Hook-Ups on Thursday, June 4, 2020
Midcity, Cochran Baptist Church, 1304 S. Cochran Ave., March to Wilshire Police Station, organized by Chochran Avenue Baptists Church Social Justice Minisgtry, 9:30 a.m.
Koreatown, Liberty Park, 3700 Wilshire Blvd., 12 p.m.
Najite Agindotan’s drumming team of the Olokun Cultural Group perform at the #BlackLivesMattters protest at Liberty Park in Koreatown. @KPCC @LAist pic.twitter.com/4tsSwLFZEW
— Marina Peña (@bymarinagiselle) June 6, 2020
Fairfax, Pan Pacific Park, 7600 Beverly Blvd, 12 p.m.
Torrance, 3331 Torrance Blvd., 1 p.m.
Rancho Palos Verdes, Trump National Golf Club, 1 p.m.
West L.A., Wilshire Federal Building, 11000 Wilshire Blvd., 2 p.m.
South L.A., 10700 Budlong Ave., 3 p.m.
Porter Ranch, Porter Ranch Dr., 11 a.m.
West Hollywood, Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., 10:30 a.m.
Century City, 10250 Constellation Ave, 12 p.m.
BACKGROUND
Around the country, protesters are expressing rage and mourning after the death of George Floyd, who died on Memorial Day after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes as he begged for mercy before becoming limp and unresponsive.
The four officers on the scene have all been fired. The officer charged with Floyd's murder, Derek Chauvin, has a history of misconduct. He has now been charged with secondd-degree murder and manslaughter.
The three other officers were charged this week with aiding and abetting Chauvin's actions.
HOW WE'RE COVERING THIS:
Reporters Aaron Schrank, Josie Huang and Stephanie O'Neil are on the ground today. Photojournalist Chava Sanchez is documenting visuals. Digital Producer Gina Pollack, Editor Oscar Garza and News producer Julia Paskin are anchoring the story and helping keep it updated.
MORE ON LA PROTESTS
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