33 charged with blocking L.A. city streets during immigration protests

[pampango]

Source: Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles prosecutors have charged 33 immigration activists with a variety of misdemeanor crimes related to three protests beginning in May that blocked city streets. The protesters face charges, such as remaining at an unlawful assembly, resisting, delaying or obstructing an officer and blocking the sidewalk or street. Those facing resisting-arrest charges face up to year in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted. Those charged with unlawful assembly face up to six months in jail if found guilty, a spokesman for the city attorney's office said.

In the first incident May 6, eight women and six men participated in a protest against the new Arizona immigration law by blocking an intersection near the federal courthouse on Alameda Street with their hands locked together inside tube devices.

Later in the month, California Highway Patrol officers arrested nine immigration protesters in front of the West Los Angeles Federal Building. The suspects sat in the street, locking their hands together and causing a massive traffic jam for several blocks.

On July 29, protesters blocked the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Highland Avenue by putting their hands together in a locking device and refusing to move. Officers had to physically carry the demonstrators and used specialized equipment to remove the elaborate tube and chain locking systems connecting the protesters' arms.

Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/09/33-charged-with-blocking-la-city-streets-during-immigration-protests.html

[slackmaster]

1. Angelinos take their mobility very seriously

Messing with traffic is like going to a remote island and fucking with the indigenous peoples' religion.

[The Green Manalishi]

3. Well said and very true.

I shall NEVER forgive Critical mass for making me miss part of a Giants game.

[Bette Noir]

2. So holding hands in traffic calls for a $1000 fine and six months in jail.

What are they going to give the cops who beat up reporters at a pro-immigration picnic a few years ago, breaking bones and putting them in the hospital? I didn't think so.

Also-- I've driven in downtown LA. How could they tell traffic was blocked? "A massive traffic jam for several blocks"? How is that different from any other day?