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Rediff.com  » News » Skid row shooting: Protesters take to the streets against LAPD

Skid row shooting: Protesters take to the streets against LAPD

March 04, 2015 11:50 IST
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The homeless man who was fatally shot by Los Angeles police on Sunday has outraged civil rights activists and fellow skid row residents. Citizens took to the streets to protest against police brutality.

Sunday's shooting, which is currently under investigation, marked the latest in a string of incidents that have put law-enforcement agencies across the country under scrutiny over the use of lethal force, especially against minorities, the poor and the mentally ill.

Caught on video filmed by a bystander that circulated widely on the Internet, the shooting triggered protests and calls by civil rights activists for a special police commission hearing on police use of force on skid row.

Critics said the shooting highlighted heavy-handed tactics routinely used by police in dealing with homeless people, many of whom suffer psychiatric problems.

People protest against the killing of a homeless man by police in Los Angeles, California on Sunday. Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/ Reuters

People protest against the killing of a homeless man by police outside LAPD headquarters in Los Angeles. Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/ Reuters

People walk through skid row in protest against the killing of a homeless man by police in Los Angeles, California. Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/ Reuters

Citizens protest against the killing of a homeless man by police outside LAPD headquarters in Los Angeles. Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/ Reuters

A man dressed as Batman speaks at a police commission meeting during a protest against the killing of a homeless man by police in Los Angeles. Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/ Reuters

Protestors view a memorial for a man killed by police on skid row in Los Angeles, California. Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/ Reuters

Gerald Pitts puts a rose on a memorial for a man killed by police on skid row in Los Angeles. Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/ Reuters

Protestors rally against the killing of a homeless man by police outside LAPD headquarters in Los Angeles. Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/ Reuters

A woman protests against the killing of a homeless man by police in Los Angeles. Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/ Reuters

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