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    Kelly Thomas' Brutal 'Death by Cop' Spurs Protest in Fullerton, Calif

    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
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    A crowd at least 100 people gathered outside the Fullerton, Calif., police station on Saturday in an otherwise quiet suburb 30 miles south of Los Angeles. Bullhorns were blaring, car horns were honking and the crowd was screaming. When the woman with the bullhorn shrieked, "What do we want?" the crowd yelled back "Justice," when she screamed, "When do we want it," the crowd replied, "Now." This noisy chant went on for hours as they held signs urging passing motorists to honk their horns in solidarity. Many passing drivers were happy to comply as the crowd loudly cheered them as they passed by.

    This protest is in response to a brutal police beating of a 37-year-old homeless man, Kelly Thomas, who later died from his injuries. This is the fourth consecutive Saturday protest at the Fullerton Police department. Protesters are calling for the resignation of the police chief, the Mayer and for the arrest and conviction of the six police officers who were involved in the beating. The officers have been placed on a paid leave of absence and an investigation is currently underway.

    No police were in sight during the rally despite the fact that it took place in front of a police station. Although a side-street was apparently closed by the police before the rally, there were no police present to direct traffic or for crowd control. Apparently the Fullerton police felt that their presence would provoke the protesters so they stayed away. It turned out to be a peaceful rally. Protesters laid their signs at the entrance to the police station at the conclusion of today's rally.

    Ron Thomas, the grieving Father of Kelly Thomas, was present at the rally. Thomas is currently suing the Fullerton Police department for the causing the brutal death of his son. Ron said that the Fullerton Police department offered him a settlement but he refused it saying that small amount that they offered was a joke. Ron Thomas said that he will start a fund to help the homeless with the proceeds of the judgment from his lawsuit against the Fullerton Police Department.

     

    4 comments

    • phred  •  8 mths ago
      Unfortunately this kind of behavior by police is rather common. Harassing and beating homeless is horribly common, and the police are no exception in committing these crimes. Pity more people aren't interested in helping the homeless...
      • V.I.T.R.I.O.L. 8 mths ago
        Pity this guy's FATHER wasn't interested in helping HIS OWN SON, until he was dead. Now he wants to get paid.
    • V.I.T.R.I.O.L.  •  8 mths ago
      Feed the homeless to the poor.
    • OH NO  •  8 mths ago
      What's a Mayer ?
    • wardog  •  8 mths ago
      Hey Phred! In Denver, they made it a hate crime to attack the homeless just a few months ago. Not that that does any good when it comes to corrupt cops, and we have PLENTY here.
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