People In Los Angeles Demand Information On In-Custody Deaths
Community activists continue to push the Los Angeles Police Department for transparency after two unarmed men died within days of each other as a result of violent stops by LAPD officers. But to date, no information has been given.
Ezell Ford, 25, and Omar Abrego, 37, died on August 11 and August 2, respectively. Police placed a "security hold" on the autopsy reports of both men on August 15, meaning neither report will be released to the public until the hold is lifted. As of now, the LAPD has not released the names of the officers involved. The deaths happened within blocks of each other, and community outrage coincided with civil unrest in Ferguson, Missouri after police there shot unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown to death on August 9. Anger in Los Angeles has taken the form of peaceful marches and rallies seeking legal action against the officers involved.
Keyanna Celina and community members rally in front of LA District Attorney Jackie Lacey's office on Thursday, August 21, demanding criminal charges for LAPD officers that killed unarmed Ezell Ford and Omar Abrego. (Photo: Bethania Palma Markus)Keyanna Celina and community members rally in front of LA District Attorney Jackie Lacey's office on Thursday, August 21, demanding criminal charges for LAPD officers that killed unarmed Ezell Ford and Omar Abrego. (Photo: Bethania Palma Markus)"It's an outrage and a disgrace; they're abusing their power," said Keyanna Celina from the Coalition for Community Control Over the Police. "There's nothing democratic about a family being denied the autopsy report and the officers' names."