On July 8, 2006, ANSWER Coalition activists Jose Villa and Christen Westberry were badly beaten by LAPD at an anti-Minutemen protest. The video, which I posted in three versions on YouTube, have now been viewed over 310,000 times and unquestionably played a big part in the very good news that the bogus felony charges against Villa have been dropped.
Videos from the press conference announcing the lawsuits against LAPD are also online.
Villa’s bail had been an outrageous $50,000, which means $5,000 is unrecoverable. The ANSWER Coalition will be holding several events nationwide to help defray that cost. More details coming ASAP.
Update: It now appears LAPD will file administrative rather than criminal charges against the officers involved.