Violence marred peace protests in Hollywood on Saturday afternoon, where thousands, including Malibu’s Martin Sheen, marched in protest against war on Iraq. Riot police lined up on motorcycles, horseback and on foot to disburse a group of young protesters who attempted to stage a die-in on Sunset Boulevard, down the street from where speeches were taking place.
In contrast, Malibu’s second organized antiwar protest on Sunday was fairly quiet, with residents waving signs with a new slogan, “Imagine Peace.” Organized by the newly formed group, Malibu Citizens for Peace, participants wanted a new slogan that did not carry the word “war.”
In Hollywood the day before, a variety of signs were displayed by an even greater variety of people-grandparents, parents, teens, children and those in their 20s and 30s.
“Kill Saddam,” read one, “Unjust war is mass murder” and “Wrap this Administration in duct tape and plastic” read others.
As Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic spoke to the gathering on Sunset Boulevard and La Brea Avenue, about 3:30 p.m., saying, “The only regime change needed … is here in Washington” to enthusiastic applause, a group of 10-15 protesters, wearing all black with bandannas covering their faces, attempted to stand their ground in the middle of Sunset between Highland and Cahuenga avenues as police chased them from one side of the street to the other.
Spectators yelled, “They’re just high school kids, leave them alone!”
Within minutes, the boulevard was filled with California Highway Patrol officers who rode their motorcycles within inches of the protesters and onlookers, attempting to disburse the crowd. A few protesters rushed toward the lineup of CHP and LAPD officers, refusing to be intimdated. Meanwhile, police in riot gear arrived, lining up across the sidewalks. Without warning, they began pushing people with batons, and, at one point, striking some who did not move fast enough. Shocked, people began running, some shouting obscenities.
An official with the Los Angeles Police Department in an interview with a television reporter said that police moved in when some of the 10 to 12 “anarchists” allegedly started to fight. He then said a “skirmish line” was formed to clear the group, which was gathered in an “unlawful assembly.”
The official also said that some were throwing rocks, and two had been arrested for alleged graffiti and disturbing the peace.
However, witnesses say the young protesters did nothing, and they did not see any rock throwing. “[They were] bum-rushing them with motorcycles,” said one about the CHP’s attempt to clear the street.
Despite the attempt to clear the boulevard, a group of protesters remained at Sunset and Highland, chanting, “Whose streets, our streets.” However, by 6 p.m., when the permit to demonstrate expired, the crowd had left.
Carlos Gregory, a young man in his 20s, had sat in the middle of Sunset, awaiting the advance of police on horseback armed with riot sticks. His main purpose in being in Hollywood was to protest against war. However, he said certain groups always show up and protest police brutality. “Whenever this happens, they use force-that’s not crowd control,” Gregory said of the LAPD’s method to clear the streets.
Gregory got up when he was the only person left on Sunset Boulevard.
(Click on Photos link to see photos from the Hollywood and Malibu peace marches.)