Los Angeles protesters prepare for police raid

World

Los Angeles protesters prepare for police raid

Close

Protesters at the Occupy Los Angeles encampment brace for an imminent raid by police.

30 November,2011 12:19 pm

Protesters at the Occupy Los Angeles encampment prepared Tuesday night for what they believed was an imminent raid by police, with hundreds of people gathered at the protest site discussing emergency preparations.About half of some 500 tents remained after a Monday morning eviction deadline and the remaining protesters showed no sign of leaving the Los Angeles encampment, which is one of the largest still remaining in the U.S.This is a monumental night for Los Angeles. Were going to do what we can to protect the camp, said Gia Trimble, a member of the Occupy LA media team.She said she thought a lot of people would stay and risk arrest, adding, Were really committed to this.The protesters designated medics with red crosses taped on clothing. Some protesters had gas masks. Broadcast footage showed Los Angeles police officers boarding buses that had lined up near Dodger Stadium at what appeared to be some sort of staging area.Organizers at the camp packed up computer and technical equipment from the media tent.Two men who have constructed an elaborate tree house fashioned a ladder pusher out of bamboo sticks tied together with twine. It was intended to push down a ladder that police may erect to get them out of the tree house.Members of the National Lawyers Guild had legal observers on hand for any possible eviction that may occur.Pam Noles, a member of the camp media team, said the park is legally closed at 10:30 p.m.Police have removed protesters in other cities. Some of those instances involved the use of pepper spray and tear gas.The movement against economic disparity and perceived corporate greed began with Occupy Wall Street in Manhattan two months ago.