National Guard Keeps Watch On 9th Day Of Anti-Police-Brutality Demonstrations in Downtown LA

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The anti-police brutality protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis continued for a ninth day in Los Angeles.

One of the protests started at noon in Grand Park, across the street from L.A. City Hall, and expanded to the streets of downtown. As night approached, the protest continued to grow.

This particular protest was promoted by members of LA's Ethiopian community. There were dozens of Ethiopian Americans in the crowd, some waving Ethiopian flags or wearing them. They said they were there to represent African immigrants who, like the rest of the black community, still live under the threat of police violence.

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"We want America to be better, we want America to do better for everyone," said Tadios Belay, an Ethopian immigrant who joined today's march. "The African community has also been impacted by police violence in this country... so, this is also our issue."

Supporters on a balcony at the Skyline Building in downtown Los Angeles bangs pots and pans together as protestors walk by. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)

Another protestor, Ephram Getaneh, joined the march for similar reasons.

"This is my home. And my future kids, it will be their home," he said. "And it does affect me every single day. Every time I'm out, every time I'm driving, I'm always looking behind my back to see if I'm going to get pulled over for no reason."

Peaceful protesters gathered outside L.A. City Hall Thursday on the ninth day of demonstrations following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)

National Guard members and LAPD officers could be seen standing in front of nearby buildings. Several National Guard members were also spotted taking photographs of protestors.

The protests today were peaceful, with no reports of police violence or looting.

National guard members watch the protests in front of a Starbucks. (Chava Sanchez/LAist )

A National Guard member takes photos of marchers at a peaceful protest in downtown L.A. June 4, 2020. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)

"I just feel like everyone out here is just helping the community," said 18-year-old Able Tefera. "After all this stuff, we got all four officers arrested, we still need to do more," he said, referring to the officer who killed Floyd and those who were also on the scene.

Around 5 p.m., NBC4 video captured Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore walking outside LAPD headquarters straight to the protesters to take a knee.

Moore apologized for his remarks comparing looting to the killing of George Flyod, but some protesters strongly rejected that apology. One person asked the chief what he will do to address institutional racism in the department.

Moore said he is focused on listening and "finding an opportunity to learn about those pains about those injuries, and about the centuries old racism and supression and state violence."

This comes a day after many Angelenos called for Moore's resignation at the Los Angeles Police Commission's Zoom meeting, where over 500 people signed up to make public comment. The meeting lasted for 8 hours and 34 minutes. Several speakers brought up LAPD's use of tear gas and rubber bullets on peaceful protestors.

Marching downtown. June 4, 2020. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)

Protestors called for an end to police brutality following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer. (Chava Sanchez (LAist))

Protesters share hand sanitizer and informational resources. June 4, 2020. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)

(Chava Sanchez/LAist)

(Chava Sanchez/LAist)

EVENTS LATER IN THE WEEK:

Note: These are not necessarily confirmed.

Friday:

• Santa Monica City Hall, starting at 1 p.m.

Sunday June 7:

• George Floyd Memorial: First Baptist Church of Venice on Westminster Avenue, starting at 12 p.m.

Tuesday June 9:

• Los Angeles, from Veterans Park to LAPD Headquarters downtown, starting at 1 p.m.

Sunday June 14:

• Los Angeles at Hollywood and Highland, starting at 10 a.m.

HOW WE'RE COVERING THIS:

Reporter Aaron Schrank and photojournalist Chava Sanchez are at City Hall covering events as they unfold. LAist associate editor Brian Frank and Digital Producer Gina Pollack are helping keep this story updated.

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• The False Dichotomy Of Protest Coverage So Far
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• LA Civil Rights Leader On Police Brutality, Protests: We're In The Last Battles Of The Civil War
• KPCC/LAist Reporters Tear-Gassed, Shot With Rubber Bullet
• Black Lives Matter-LA Leader Explains 'Very Deliberate' Choice To Demonstrate In Upscale Neighborhoods
• LA Councilman Mike Bonin: 'We Need To Pay Attention To The Violence Of Systemic Racism'
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• Mis Ángeles: George Floyd Should Be Home With His Family Right Now
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