By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Los Angeles protests, sparked by ICE raids, were characterized not by widespread rioting, but by police aggression. While some protesters engaged in property damage, the overwhelming majority remained peaceful despite facing disproportionate police violence, including the use of flashbangs, rubber bullets, and truncheons. Reports focusing solely on property damage and arrests based on LAPD accounts fail to reflect the reality of police instigation and excessive force against protesters and journalists alike. The protests were a response to ICE’s actions, highlighting the targeting of undocumented immigrants and the militarization of the police response.
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What I saw in LA wasn’t an insurrection. It was a police riot. The sheer scale of the police response, the brutality displayed, and the blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of protesters paints a disturbing picture. It wasn’t a response to an overwhelming threat; it was a manufactured escalation, a show of force designed to intimidate and suppress dissent.
What I saw was a deliberate provocation. The deployment of mounted officers, the use of tear gas and less-lethal weapons, the beatings with clubs – these weren’t the actions of officers trying to maintain order. They were the actions of a force intent on creating chaos and using excessive force. The narrative that protesters were responsible for instigating the violence is simply false. The evidence overwhelmingly shows that the police themselves were the primary aggressors.
What I saw was a blatant disregard for human rights. Videos depict officers trampling protesters with horses, beating them mercilessly, and firing into crowds without provocation. Where’s the accountability? Where’s the body cam footage showing protesters seriously injuring officers? The lack of such footage further underscores the one-sided nature of the violence. The media’s portrayal of protesters as aggressors is a deliberate attempt to shift blame and obscure the truth.
What I saw was a chilling display of power. The mobilization of the National Guard and Marines, against the wishes of local authorities, highlights a dangerous trend of federal overreach. This wasn’t a response to a local crisis; it was a deliberate power play, an attempt to use overwhelming force to silence dissent. This mirrors events from the past, a pattern of police brutality used to suppress protests and maintain control. It’s a tactic used to distract from underlying issues, a way to shift the focus away from legitimate grievances.
What I saw was a strategic campaign of fear and intimidation. The overwhelming police presence, the excessive use of force, the dissemination of biased narratives – it all points to a concerted effort to quell dissent and create an atmosphere of fear. The goal isn’t just to suppress protests; it’s to deter any future attempts at organized opposition. This calculated brutality is designed to break the spirit of the protesters and discourage future demonstrations.
What I saw confirms a long history of police violence against protesters. From the Civil Rights Movement to recent events, a recurring pattern emerges: police using excessive force to control dissent. This isn’t a new phenomenon; it’s a deeply ingrained problem that needs urgent attention. It’s a clear abuse of power, a systematic violation of basic human rights. The fact that the police were responsible for the violence isn’t just a provocative statement; it’s a demonstrably accurate assessment of the situation.
What I saw wasn’t a spontaneous eruption of violence; it was a carefully orchestrated event. This wasn’t a reaction to an uncontrolled mob; it was a calculated response designed to achieve specific political goals. The carefully timed deployment of additional forces, the carefully cultivated media narrative, the blatant disregard for local authority – all point to a highly coordinated strategy. This makes it more than just a police riot; it’s a calculated attack on democratic principles and a blatant abuse of power.
What I saw underscores the urgent need for reform. The excessive use of force, the lack of accountability, the biased media coverage – these are all symptoms of a deeper problem. We need to address the root causes of police brutality, improve police training, and hold officers accountable for their actions. Until these things happen, events like this will continue to occur. The only way to break the cycle is to demand justice, accountability and meaningful reform. We need to dismantle the systems that allow this kind of violence to happen and safeguard our democracy from such blatant power grabs.