The LAPD reports that crime has dramatically increased in Downtown Los Angeles since Occupy L.A. set up camp. Not only are police busy arresting protesters, they're also combating a surge in incidents from robbery to grand theft auto to aggravated assault. Whether or not the LAPD's claim serves as anything but an attempt to discredit the movement is debatable, but the numbers do speak for themselves.
LAPD Points Fingers at Occupy LA for Rise in Crime
Hell No, Occupy Coachella Valley Wouldn't Go: 9 Protestors Arrested
Protestors at Occupy Coachella Valley ignored warnings by authorities to pack up camp at Civic Center Park, resulting in nine arrests early Tuesday morning. More than 50 protestors were occupying the valley.
City Councilmen Tour Occupy L.A.'s City Hall Camp, Say Protesters Can Stay As Long as They Want
Since most of L.A.'s top officials have to head in and out of City Hall to get their work done, what they think of the current "occupation" of the area by protesters is surely worth noting.
It took one of the Council's regular meeting speakers, John Walsh (L.A. Now generous calls him "a well-known political gadfly" to goad the Councilmembers to not only acknowledge the Occupy L.A. participants, but to go outside and tour their "tent city" and talk to the protesters.
Images From Thursday's Prop 8 Protest
Thursday's protest and march against the passing of Proposition 8 stirred many emotions and reactions from those involved, those in agreement, and those who are happy to have seen the controversial proposition--which amends the state Constitution to define marriage as limited to being between a man and a woman--pass, even by a slim margin. While the discussion continues about the ramifications of this proposition passing, the next steps for those who oppose the measure, how the voting population arrived at their choice on the issue, and what will become of the marriages of those same-sex couples who were married between May and November, the current movement has been concentrated on rallies, marches, and protests.
3 Arrests in Last Night's Long Beach Anti-Prop 8 Rally
The rally and march began last night at around 7, and by 10 had made its way back to the starting point at Broadway and Redondo Avenues in Long Beach. Although the local police and the LA Co. Sheriffs had been keeping a watchful eye on the crowds, by the end of the evening they were "met with resistance" when they urged the protesters to bring the even to a close. After they were reportedly "urged to move on or face arrest," three people were "detained on suspicion of inciting a riot," reports cbs2.com. A group of people in favor of Prop 8 were also present, but remained across the street holding up signs.
A Closer Look at Prop 8 Protester Arrests
Two arrests were made last night during the protest against the passing of Proposition 8, one of which was someone known to many online as "Panasonicyouth." The frequent LAist commenter and popular Buzznet user took advantage of the outreaching abilities of Twitter to narrate first his foray into the crowds outside LA's Mormon Temple and then his arrest along with friend and fellow Tweeter formerme. LAist's photog Tom Andrews captured images of Panasonicyouth and formerme's arrest. According to their Twitter feeds, the two men have since been released from jail, but still face charges: "@formerme and I were initially arrested for "unruly behavior" but it magically changed to battery on an officer," said Panasonicyouth this morning.

