Public commenters accuse LAPD of assisting federal arrests; dozens urge council to remove Chief McDonnell
Summary
Public-comment speakers at Friday's council meeting accused LAPD of using excessive force during downtown protests, alleged cooperation with DHS/ICE in recent arrests, and asked the council to remove LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. Multiple speakers described injuries to protesters and journalists and called for investigations or immediate removal.
During the public-comment period at the council meeting, multiple speakers described experiences at recent downtown protests and accused the Los Angeles Police Department of excessive force and of assisting federal immigration enforcement.
Speakers including Mario Zermino, Alex (first name used), Jennifer Kozak, Katie Lafoon, John Mattingly and others said they or peers were arrested, shot with "less-lethal" munitions, struck with batons, or saw journalists injured while documenting protests. Several commenters alleged LAPD was facilitating Department of Homeland Security or ICE operations and that officers cleared routes or guarded federal agents; speakers said videos and press reports document the incidents.
Multiple callers urged the council to remove LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell; several referred to a two-thirds council vote as the mechanism to do so. Commenters also stressed that their actions were protected First Amendment activity and criticized the department's crowd-control tactics (horse charges, baton strikes, and use of less-lethal munitions).
The statements were made during general public comment; the transcript records no formal council direction to staff or a motion to investigate the allegations during the meeting. Council members were present in the chamber but did not enter into a recorded discussion or vote on the allegations during the public-comment segment. The clerk later noted loss of quorum and adjournment.
