Over 100 Black Lives Matter protesters accused the Los Angeles Police Department of “genocide” during a race and policing symposium at UC Irvine on Friday, at which Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck spoke.
Chants of “LAPD what you say? How many people have you killed today? LAPD you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide” were carried out by members of the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter, UC Irvine’s Black Student Union, and other supporters, according to the Orange County Register. They continued, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, These racist cops have got to go.”
Meanwhile, inside the symposium — which was attended by several hundred people — approximately 20 Black Lives Matter supporters, some with clenched fists above their heads, reportedly held up signs listing the names of people who have been killed by LAPD officers. The talk was reportedly hosted by UCI’s schools of Law and Social Ecology.
The OC Register noted that during his talk, Beck was critical of the group for refusing to engage in constructive dialogue; a point that has presented itself time and again.
“The Black Lives chapter in Los Angeles is unfortunately more about making statements than having discussions,” Beck reportedly said. “Oftentimes, our Police Commission meetings are more about theater than substance.” He also said, “We police a city that can be a violent city. To expect police to police a violent society with the absence of violence is unreasonable.”
Beck quickly exited the Pacific Ballroom after his talk ended, which is when Black Lives Matter supporters began shouting out the names of the dead out loud.
Among the signs and t-shirts held up and worn were the slogans “Blackness is not a crime” and “#FireBeck.”
Beck’s remarks reportedly covered a variety of topics, including the impact of the public using social media to disseminate videos of police activity, officer body cameras, and the media’s perception of the LAPD.
The Register notes that last Tuesday, Black Lives Matter held another protest against the LAPD by crashing a Los Angeles Police Commission meeting to protest two recent deadly officer-involved shootings in South L.A. for which Beck has defended the use of deadly force.
On Friday at UCI, Beck said that LAPD officers are trained to use techniques to de-esculate potentially violent encounters but sometimes those tactics are not effective.
Photo: File
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