Mayor Cancels Santa Ana City Council Meeting Over Anti-Police Hat
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com/AP) — Santa Ana's mayor canceled a City Council meeting after a protester refused to remove a cap with an anti-police expletive on it.
The protester, a man who only went by the name "Bijan," says he's part of a group called CopWatch Santa Ana, according to The Orange County Register.
Mayor Miguel Pulido said he found the man's hat offensive, The Associated Press reported.
City officials asked the man to remove his hat and when he refused, Pulido ordered the public to leave the filled chambers.
About 20 people remained inside, calling on officials to start the meeting.
More than two dozen Santa Ana Police officers were on hand for crowd control.
Police told those who chose to remain inside the council chambers that they risked being arrested if they did not leave, according to The Register.
A video posted on YouTube allegedly showed police threatening to arrest those who remained in the chambers.
A message posted on the CopWatch Santa Ana Facebook page alleged police "were even showing off their cuffs" in order to get attendees to leave the meeting.
Eventually Pulido announced the meeting was canceled and everyone left.
Some residents have voiced mounting concerns over actions taken by Santa Ana police following the release of a video in July that purportedly shows officers beating a 27-year-old man after he is on the ground.
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