AVWatch: Villaraigosa, Bratton "send message" on MacArthur Park immigration riot

Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAPD chief William Bratton is currently holding a press conference pledging a "comprehensive review" of the May 1 MacArthur Park immigration riot. Bratton is demoting two leaders of the Central Division. Tony Villar is offering his remarks in both English and Spanish.

In earlier demagogic news, Louis Sahagun of the Los Angeles Times offered "L.A. mayor vows action against guilty officers":

In a show of solidarity with families confronted by police during Tuesday's immigrant rally at MacArthur Park, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told Cinco de Mayo audiences around Los Angeles on Saturday that action would be taken against officers found to have violated the law.

The mayor stepped up to a downtown pulpit Saturday night and vowed, "There will be consequences... There will be an investigation into what occurred," Villaraigosa said in Spanish, assuring about 300 parishioners at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church that "not even police are above the law."

...Earlier, during the Mass, Villaraigosa, who was seated in the front pew, rose and walked down the center aisle toward the back of the church, grasping people's hands and hugging parishioners. He then returned to give his speech at the end of the hour-long service.

During his 10-minute address, he told the parishioners, "It doesn't matter to me whether you have papers or not. You came to work. We all have the same dreams. We want peace and decent jobs."

Immigration2007a · Mon, 05/07/2007 - 13:41 · · Importance: 1