LAPD: 'Eligible Protesters Released From Jail By Dinner Time In Light Of Thanksgiving'
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Protesters who remained in jail Thursday for participation in demonstrations across Los Angeles were released early, in light of the holiday.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Chief Charlie Beck explained he wanted any eligible protesters that are being held to be released from jail by dinner time to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Those arrested on misdemeanor charges who couldn't make the $500 bail were asked to sign a document promising to appear in court on Monday.
Police called it a sign of peace.
Protesters who have warrants out for their arrest in unrelated cases will not be considered eligible to be released. They will remain in jail until they appear in court next week.
Wednesday night, protesters began their march around 4:00 p.m. in downtown Los Angeles, with the intention of walking to the Staples Center, where the Los Angeles Lakers played the Memphis Grizzlies inside the arena.
Most of the 130 protesters who were arrested were adults in their 20s and 30s, who reportedly failed to disperse when ordered to do so by police.
They were taken into custody for disturbing the peace and unlawful assembly.
CBS2's Adrianne Weingold spoke with protesters who said they shouldn't have been arrested in the first place.
"We shouldn't have been arrested to begin with," said protester Yasmeen. "This is an illegal arrest. They had gone against their rights by taking us with no reason."
Demonstrations originally broke out Monday evening, after a grand jury's decision was announced to not indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo.
Since Monday night, 323 people have been arrested in Los Angeles demonstrations.
"We're here because we know the youth of Ferguson, Mo. aren't going to stop protesting, and neither are we," said Civil Rights Organizer Maricruz Lopez.
Several protesters told Weingold they would be back demonstrating again on Friday by taking their message to the streets.
KCAL9's Laurie Perez picked up the story Thursday evening where protesters told her of specific plans.
She said protesters planned demonstrations Friday afternoon at Wilshire and Rodeo Drive where many are expected to be doing shopping for Black Friday.
Attorney Nana Jumfee represents many of the people arrested.
"They were bogus arrests," she said, "We shouldn't have been arrested to begin with.They took us in with no reason. These people are not looting, these people are not burning anything. They are literally marching in the street. What is the problem?"
