L.A. Police Called to Separate Demonstrators

LOS ANGELES, June 23, 2007 (KABC-TV) (KABC) -- There was a noisy confrontation at Leimert Park in Los Angeles Saturday.

Activist Ted Hayes organized the initial demonstration, and his group was met by angry counter-protesters.

The line was divisively drawn down Crenshaw Boulevard. On the west side of the street stood Ted Hayes, a longtime homeless advocate, and those who are opposing immigration rights. On the east side of the street there was a large coalition of people that are anti-Ted Hayes saying they are in support of immigration rights.

There was an estimated 500 or 600 people that gathered on the street outside of Leimert Park. Mr. Hayes had a permit that allowed him to march down Crenshaw Boulevard and then into Leimert Park for a rally. That rally was to be for homeless rights and it was very anti-immigration oriented.

When people heard of Hayes' march, a counter protest was planned. A number of people showed up from various coalitions, of all different races. They were determined not to let Mr. Hayes and his group into Leimert Park. When police, supervising the march, saw what was transpiring they had to weigh all the issues. Police decided public safety was a larger priority than first amendment rights.

Deputy Chief Mike Hillman, Los Angeles Police Department: "In the balancing act that we got into here was the issue of allowing access to the park. Mr. Hayes' group had a permit to go into the park. The park was occupied by literally children between 5 and 12 years of age and their parents, plus about 250 to 300 of the individuals that were community members that obviously took issue with Mr. Hayes being here in their community. So they blocked access to the park."

It was made very clear to those who were behind Mr. Hayes and members of the Minutemen that those who didn't want to leave would be arrested.

Ted Hayes, activist: "I went to the trouble to get the permit to have this park right here, so that we can express our first amendment rights to talk about how our civil rights are being hijacked by citizens from foreign countries illegally within our country."

Mr. Hayes and four other individuals were arrested. According to the LAPD, it was Mr. Hayes' choice to be arrested and he wanted to make a stand.

There were no reports of injuries to any LAPD officers or bystanders that gathered for both of the protests.

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