L.A.P.D. Raids Occupy L.A.

The camp at Occupy L.A. located at L.A. city hall was raided by several hundred L.A.P.D. officers. The officers entered the part with lightning speed, carving up the park with lines of officers in riot gear.
I didn't see any incidents between the officers and demonstrators, and very few have been reported so far. Journalist were allowed to report and photograph inside the park for about 20 minutes during the raid, then the pool took over coverage for the arrest and park clean up.
The L.A.P.D eventually took over the streets around city hall, forcing any lingering protesters out of the area.
As the protesters left the area, they chanted and clapped in unison. I heard one officer clap along with them.

The raid.

LAPD officers inside the park.

Demonstrator watching the raid.

LAPD officers looking at the trees in the park for protesters.

A barrier was set up at the park entrance.

LAPD motor officers on 1st street.

A demonstrator sleeping on 1st street.

Protesters holding a candle light vigil during the raid.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Occupy L.A. Day 17

Most of Occupy L.A.'s active protesters head down to Long Beach today to support an Occupy Long Beach action. Occupy L.A.'s camp is in recovery mode today, after Saturday's mass rally.

Mike "Peacewalker" Oren on city hall steps.

An address on a city hall tent.

Just sayin'.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Occupy L.A. Day 13

A small group of Occupy L.A. protesters held a noontime march from L.A. city hall to the Bank of America building in downtown L.A.
They held a small, peaceful, and loud rally on the steps of the giant Bank of America building.

Occupying B of A.

Occupy L.A. at B of A.

The "Dude" conducting in the background.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Occupy L.A. Day 12

The L.A. city council voted 11-0 in favor of supporting the Occupy L.A. movement.
Meanwhile in 100 degree heat hundreds of people from Good Jobs L.A. marched to the Royal Federal building in downtown L.A. They were protesting the U.S. Senate's vote against President Obama's American Jobs Act.

Occupy L.A. noontime speaker on the steps of city hall.

Occupying L.A.

100+ degrees, and Good Jobs L.A. marches on.

Biker and bike near city hall.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Landis Comes Clean About Being Dirty

Former professional bicycle racer, Floyd Landis, came clean today about doping during his cycling career which included winning the 2006 Tour de France. Landis tested positive for testosterone during the 2006 Tour de France, but denied the charges and spent millions of dollars fighting the charges. Landis also fingered former team mate and friend Lance Armstrong, along with his former team director Johan Bruyneel with suppling him with doping information and how to avoid testing positive for doping. Both Armstrong and Bruyneel deny Landis' allegations.

Lance Armstrong crashed today during the Tour of California today, he received several stitches to his face and had to abandon the race. Armstrong was not in contention to win the race, he was racing in support for team member Levi Leipheimer, who has also been dogged by doping allegations.

The Tour of California is sponsored by Amgen, the largest producer of EPO, the most common doping product abused by cyclist.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010