Vigil, Call for LAPD Reform Mark Anniversary of King Beating

A coalition of community and civil rights groups Monday night marked the one-year anniversary of the police beating of Rodney G. King by calling for adoption of proposed City Charter amendments that would reform the Los Angeles Police Department.

The group, called the Coalition for Police Accountability, said it would form a “truth squad” to advance seven principles of police accountability. It also announced that it will monitor and counter opposition to the proposed amendments.

“We’re going to make sure (Police Chief Daryl F. Gates) is honest,” coalition chairman Meir Westreich told a small crowd that had gathered at the site of the beating at Foothill Boulevard and Osborne Street in Lake View Terrace.

“We may be small in numbers standing here in the rain . . . but we are a rising tide,” Westreich said.

Organizers had expected 200 to 300 people for what had been billed as a candlelight vigil but, in a persistent rain, the crowd consisted of about two dozen, who tried to stay dry under a tent.

The vigil began with participants breaking 56 sticks, which organizers said symbolized police batons--one for each blow King was struck by four police officers.

“We hope that by breaking these sticks we break the pattern of police brutality,” said Peter Haviland of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Coalition members said their organizations will hold voter registration drives and rallies to persuade voters to approve the charter amendments on the June 2 ballot.