Police Clash With Protesters

Re “Police Forcefully Break Up Melee After Concert,” Aug. 15: The Los Angeles Police Department did a great job Monday night. The police were faced with a typical situation that they handled the right way. Kudos to the LAPD for doing it the best way possible.

I’m still not sure what the protesters think they will accomplish. They had their 1st Amendment rights respected. Do they really think the people who attended the convention will come away saying, “Wow, those demonstrators really opened my mind”? I think the convention-goers are more likely to say, “Wow, what idiots.”

DON LAFFERTY

Winnetka

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* Considering the fact that there were no deaths or serious injuries reported, I think the police should be praised for their handling of a situation that could easily have escalated into a riot. The people who are criticizing the police response should trade places with them sometime.

ROBERTO BACALSKI

Los Angeles

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* As I participated in a protest march on Monday against Al Gore’s investments with Occidental Petroleum in the Colombian rain forests, I was struck with the amount of police force employed to control us. There were literally thousands of police who lined each side of the street. They made discreet militaristic moves and routines to show us their force. We marched from Pershing Square and back.

On the return march there was a small police riot that could have erupted into a major event but fortunately did not. A group of demonstrators sat down in the street as an act of civil disobedience. While this group was not threatening anyone, the police began beating people with batons. Many were needlessly beaten up by police.

The police seem not to know how to differentiate between destructive activities and simple civil disobedience. They should respond to nonviolent civil disobedience by simply arresting and removing the persons. The LAPD should make the tactics fit the problem.

CHARLIE WILKEN

Van Nuys

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* What a mitzvah it would be for Gore and Joe Lieberman to take off their neckties, roll up their sleeves and go outside of the Staples Center to meet with the protesters. Not only for a great photo op but for a chance to include these young activists who are championing some of the Democratic Party’s own causes. Just do it!

MARILYN PROVISOR JOYCE

Signal Hill