LOS ANGELES — District Attorney Jackie Lacey said was “angry” and “pissed off” when she saw the video capturing the death of a black man in Minneapolis at the hands of a white police officer, while emphasizing her support for peaceful protests and belief that looters are hurting the wrong people.
But Lacey — who has been criticized by protest organizations such as Black Lives Matter, which has previously called for her resignation based on a lack of convictions for police brutality and excessive force — also took a stance against the looting and violence that took place over the weekend and distracted from the protesters’ racial justice narrative.
Lacey reminded people that looting is a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances.
The charges include cases against 17 people charged at the Airport Courthouse — which covers some of the western portions of Los Angeles County, including Santa Monica and Beverly Hills — with crimes including felony looting, burglary and identity theft, along with misdemeanor looting and burglary.
Eleven people in downtown Los Angeles have been charged with felonies, including looting, robbery and assault on a peace officer.
