May 17, 2007 9:22 am US/Eastern
L.A. Mayor To Join Immigration Rights Rally
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez are expected to join immigrant rights protesters today at a rally condemning police behavior during May First's immigration march.
The event is scheduled to begin with a town-hall style meeting at a church, followed by a procession to MarArthur Park, where protesters clashed with police at the May Day rally.
Organizers say they will hold a candlelight vigil and a series of performances at the park.
The May First rally ended with riot police using batons and rubber bullets to drive protesters and journalists out of MacArthur Park.
Several individuals and groups have filed lawsuits over the incident, and city and federal reviews are under way.
Police Chief William Bratton has blamed a leadership breakdown at the scene for police measures that he has described as inappropriate.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
