L.A protestors seek help from federal judge

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Attorneys for Occupy L.A. protesters filed court papers Monday asking a federal judge to prevent police from clearing the City Hall camp.

The protesters contend the city of Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck violated their civil rights by ordering the encampment dismantled.

Chief Deputy City Attorney Bill Carter said the city was prepared to defend its closure of the park and eviction of the protesters camped there. The city’s defense includes a statement from the LAPD and from Recreation and Parks General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri regarding public safety and damage to the park.

Attorneys for the protesters contend the south lawn of City Hall is a traditional public forum for First Amendment activity.

“The City Hall lawn, according to the U.S. Supreme Court, is one of the most sacred places for the exercise of the right to assemble and protest,” said National Lawyers Guild President James Lafferty, who is named as a plaintiff in the federal court filing.

According to the court papers, the city engaged in “arbitrary and capricious action” by first “approving the Occupy L.A. camp for 56 days before suddenly revoking permission.”

The protesters contend the city has made other exceptions to an ordinance that prevents people from staying in public parks after 10 p.m., including for thousands of people who camped out in Exposition Park waiting for tickets to receive free medical services.

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