L.A. POLICE PROTESTERS ARRESTED

Three people were arrested and rubber bullets were fired when hundreds of
black-clad marchers protesting police brutality clashed with police
officers. Protesters who rallied at police headquarters Sunday said
officers fired at them as they attempted to walk around Parker Center
before beginning the rally. Police Capt. Jim Rubert said the conflict began
after about 700 protesters gathered outside the designated rally site.
Officers fired rubber bullets when protesters threw gallon-sized jars and
broken glass at them, he said. Officer Don Cox said police arrested three
people for investigation of assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon.

Several protesters showed reporters welts left by rubber bullets, but Cox
said no injuries were reported. 'Disgraced This Country' More than 200
police officers - some in riot gear, some on horseback - later surrounded
about 1,500 people who shouted at them and raised their fists while
listening to speakers whose loved ones were killed or injured in police
conflicts. "You all are the worst police force in the U.S. history.

You all have disgraced this country," said Brian Smith, who said his
brother Danny Ray Smith died of asphyxiation in police custody two years
ago. Alleged corruption at LAPD's Rampart station was a key topic at the
demonstration, part of a national protest scheduled for more than 50
cities. But speakers also criticized out-of-town police actions, including
the New York City police shooting of Amadou Diallo, and the Pennsylvania
death-penalty case of Mumia Abu-Jamal.