LOS ANGELES — Today's Los Angeles Times damning report confirms what many city residents know far too well: L.A. Police Department officers target Black and Latinx drivers and passengers in pretextual stops and searches. In response, activists and community members impacted by over-policing will host a press conference on Wednesday at the LAPD headquarters to announce demands of city officials regarding these discriminatory and dangerous practices.
The analysis of LAPD data of 385,000 stops during a recent 10-month reveals that Black and Latinx drivers and passengers are searched at rates of over 4 to 1 and 3 to 1 respectively when compared to white ones, but were found with contraband less often.
PUSH L.A. (Promoting Unity Safety & Health Los Angeles) is a broad coalition of advocacy and interfaith groups challenging the city to “Reimagine Protect and Serve” by shifting investments from criminalization and punishment of Black and Latinx residents to community supports. PUSH L.A. includes the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California; Advancement Project CA; Black Lives Matter Los Angeles; Brotherhood Crusade; Brothers, Sons, Selves; Children’s Defense Fund California; Community Coalition; Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA); LA Voice; Labor Community Strategy Center; Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA-CAN); Million Dollar Hoods; SEIU 2015; SEIU Local 99; Social Justice Learning Institute; and Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Southern California.
WHAT: Press conference by PUSH LA coalition announcing demands of city officials
WHO: Bryant Mangum, a South L.A. resident who has been unjustly stopped and searched three times by LAPD in the last two years
Mary Williams, grandmother of Keith Bursey, who was profiled and killed by LAPD
Alberto Retana, president and CEO of Community Coalition
David Turner, manager at Brothers, Sons, Selves (BSS)
Adrienna Wong, senior staff attorney, ACLU of Southern California
Annetta Wells, SEIU 2015
Pastor Eddie Anderson, LA Voice
WHEN: Wednesday, October 9
9 a.m. Press check-in
9:30 a.m. Press conference begins
10:15 a.m. Interviews and photo opportunities
VISUAL Crowd to hold signs and chant outside LAPD headquarters after speakers finish
WHERE: LAPD headquarters
100 W 1st St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Press conference will take place on the steps near the intersection of 1st and Main.
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