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It's a P.R. extravaganza as Al Sharpton holds a meeting/photo-op with LAPD Chief Bill Bratton in response to the videotaped MAG-light beating of Stanley Miller. Perhaps LAist should cut the cynicism and count its blessings - Bratton is handling this situation in a far better manner than one might have expected from video-game designer Daryl Gates. B&S know what they're doing - the LA press is a lot less, um, aggressive compared to the NYC papers that they're used to. Already, this duo has already managed to generate some positive publicity for the police.Controversy has also swirled around the community panel that was slapped together by the mayor in response to the issue, as panel member and African-American activist Najee Ali quit in response to concerns about his pending criminal charges. And Councilman Dennis Zine opposed the creation of the panel, taking the opportunity to add this constructive thought to the mix: "I think it was clearly political... It's an attempt to appease certain people in the African American community." Which, of course, is an obviously political statement itself. All this leadership just warms the heart, huh?
