Mayor Villaraigosa calls cyclist incident "disturbing" in a letter to cyclists
Hermez Moreno, Manuel Gallegos' lawyer, speaks on behalf of Gallegos announcing a claim against the LAPD at a press conference in downtown Los Angeles on June 4, 2010.
In a letter to bicyclists, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said video footage of a confrontation between police officers and riders on Hollywood Boulevard was "disturbing.''
"Bicyclists have every right to use our city streets and to be treated with courtesy and respect -- both by drivers and law enforcement,'' Villaraigosa wrote in a letter posted on the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition website.
Villaraigosa wrote that he was "very disappointed'' to hear about the May 28 incident, and added, "The video from that night is disturbing.'' He wrote that he had "complete confidence'' the investigation being led by Police Chief Charlie Beck will "make the city's streets safe for everyone.''
On May 28, about 400 bicyclists rode along Hollywood Boulevard to protest the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. They were part of Critical Mass, an activist bicycling group that organizes mass rides that disrupt traffic.
When police officers got into an altercation with one of the bicyclists, Manuel Gallegos took out his cellphone to video the confrontation. The resulting footage was posted on YouTube.
Gallegos claimed police officers attacked him for recording the altercation. In a claim filed against the city, Gallegos said he was "chased down by LAPD officers, who tackled him, dragged him off his bicycle and proceeded to beat and kick him.''
One officer stomped on his phone "in what is believed to be an attempt to destroy evidence of the unlawful conduct of the LAPD officers,'' according to the claim.
Gallegos was held by officers for 45 minutes and issued a citation alleging "false and fabricated'' traffic violations, according to the claim, which is a possible precursor to a lawsuit.
Gallegos' allegations include assault, battery, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He is seeking unspecified damages.
His attorney, Hermez Moreno, said the lawsuit will seek an end to all law enforcement harassment of bicyclists.
Four officers have been temporarily reassigned while the LAPD investigates claims of other bicyclists who said they were harassed by the officers.
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