LOS ANGELES – Thousands have been arrested in protests across Southern California. Charges range from breaking curfew to looting, vandalism, and burglary.
Rahim Williams, 19, has been to several protests lately, but never alone. His friend Cameron Scott, 18, is always by his side.
“We needed to get out to fight for what we actually believe in. You can’t fight for what you believe in sitting inside,” said Williams.
They were two of the many protesters arrested June 1 for being out after curfew. They were near Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. They say they were zip tied for hours and eventually led to a police station where they were let go with little more than a piece of paper.
“As this happened I felt powerless just like every other black man in America,” said Scott.
At first they were told they would need to pay a fine. However, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced she will not file charges against any protester for a curfew violation or failure to disperse. Likewise Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer announced his office developed a method outside the court system to handle all violations stemming from the protests except violations for violence, looting, or vandalism.
Feuer’s office also says they will create opportunities for violators to talk with police and people within the city attorney’s office beginning later this summer.
Both men fully expected to pay dearly for their activism.
“I went into the situation knowing I was going to get arrested and knowing I would face whatever it takes because this is my right and my people and honestly, I feel good that they’re dropping the charges because there’s a lot of people in prison wrongly,” said Scott.
Both men have been to protests since their arrests.
“It’s a very scary reality to know that you could lose your life at any time just because of your skin color. Your skin color is a threat,” said Williams.
They are not finished fighting.