People's Network in Defense of Human Rights Demands of the LAPD

Peoples Network in Defense of Human Rights

Demands of the LAPD

In light of recent events at McArthur Park in Los Angeles on May 1, 2007 when the Los Angeles Police Department responded in a horrendous display of excessive force against our communities, AND the historical oppressive force used by the LAPD and other law enforcement agencies on communities of color, Peoples Network in Defense of Human Rights demands the following:

*We want full accountability of the LAPD and their actions against our communities. All police officers responsible for oppressive, abusive and excessive force on May 1, 2007 need to be held accountable.

*To this extent, we are demanding that a list of all officers present at the May 1, 2007 march be distributed to the public.

*We demand that all LAPD officers have clear identification on their person at all times, as mandated by California Penal Code 830.10 which states that all peace officers must be visually identifiable to others. In this respect, we give you one month to stencil all riot gear uniforms with clearly visible identification numbers.

*We demand an elected civilian police review board composed of a diverse group of community members elected by the community and not appointed by LAPD or elected officials. This board must have the power to subpoena and indict the police. The community will maintain control of this board at all times and have access to an independent prosecutor.

*We will not tolerate the LAPD or any other law enforcement body taking on the task of ICE in our communities using their presence as an intimidation tactic to oppress us.

*In addition, we are demanding a public apology from LAPD Chief of Police Bratton, and the commanding officers responsible for giving the orders to attack our communities.

*We demand immediate removal of all police officers presence at community and political demonstrations or actions in exercise of their constitutional rights to free assembly. As an alternative, traffic and parking enforcement personnel should be used to facilitate traffic.

*We demand that Police Chief William Bratton is fired, removed, or that he resigns from his position and that he is prosecuted for his crimes against the people.

On behalf of the entire Los Angeles community, who felt and witnessed the police repression that took place on May 1, 2007, the Peoples Network in Defense of Human Rights demands a response from the LAPD to the above within 30 days, or June 7, 2007.

For more information please contact: Guillermo Suarez, mexiclaw@aol.com