5/3/2007

Jess Boettger

Peaceful rally ends in violence.

An investigation has been ordered after a peaceful immigration rally descended into chaos and violence. What began as a peaceful assembly, ended in L.A. law enforcement shooting tear gas and rubber bullets in order to disperse a mob. The scene was caught on video, which showed police attacking cameramen as well as the crowd. L.A. Police Chief William Bratton has ordered an investigation and conceded that police may have used excessive force to disperse the crowds.  
  
The footage of the chaotic scene shows cops using nightsticks and shoving people who were already backing away from the line of officers. Bratton said that about 600 police officers were present at the rally, 100 of which have the most training in crowd control, and are apparently also the ones who attacked the crowd.