[PhillipHer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GeiozyD3Tc

Here's an article form Fox:

What do y'all make of this? Heavy handed or required response?

I know what Richard Harris would say.

[Beerinkol]

That's typical LAPD behavior. Good to know that finally there is an outrage, and some of these porkers are getting dismissed from the force. Was peculiar to watch the CNN correspondent trying to whitewash their actions.

Unfortunately it isn't so clear. According to local sources and eyewitnesses, out of a crowd of 8-10K, about 100 were seriously threatening police, pelting them with rocks and bottles for a significant amount of time. The police were unable to stop these attacks since the attackers would disperse into the crowd. The police then announced on bull horns and via helicopter bull horns that the rally was over and that people should disperse. Only after the crowd refused to disperse, then and only then did the police intercede.

Basically, from the police view, people were either attacking them or refusing to obey a lawful order. You can see in some videos, people basically arguing with the cops about leaving the park. One can argue that the cops were quick to try to disperse the crowd, but isn't so clear that the agitators and the protesters are totally blameless as well.