Protestors Demand LAPD Investigate Charges Against Community Organizer

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Dozens of human rights protestors gathered Tuesday morning to protest charges filed against a community organizer.

The group marched into a Los Angeles Commission board meeting at 9 a.m. at the LAPD Headquarters at 110 W. 1st St.

The organizers were demanding the LAPD Commission investigate the case against 62-year-old Deborah Burton, who has been charged with three counts of assault for alleged actions during a protest.

"It's a cloud hanging over my head, because I didn't do anything wrong," Burton said.

Burton was charged in August 2012 for her actions at a legal protest in June 2011.

"You can absolutely see there is a conspiracy against Los Angeles Community Action Network and human rights organizers and defenders," protest organizer Hamid Khan said. "We're demanding that the abuse of power and the charges be dropped by the Los Angeles Police Commission."

The protestors are asking the LAPD to investigate the case, rescind what they call "faulty evidence" and drop all charges against Burton.

LAPD Commander Andrew Smith says the organizers have a right to let themselves be heard, but the department has no comment regarding the issue.

Burton's trial is set to begin on June 26.

The community-based organizations involved include: Dream Team LA, IDEPSCA, Immigrant Youth Coalition, Labor/Community Strategy Center, Los Angeles Anti-Eviction Campaign, Los Angeles Community Action Network, Los Angeles Human Right to Housing Collective, POWER, Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, Union de Vecinos and Youth Justice Coalition.