ACLU 'disturbed' by Los Angeles police shooting

LOS ANGELES — A fatal weekend police shooting of an unarmed man who family members say was autistic prompted the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California on Monday to urge the Los Angeles Police Department to re-examine its policies.

Steven Eugene Washington was shot by gang enforcement officers Allan Corrales and George Diego near Los Angeles' Koreatown shortly after midnight Saturday after he approached them and appeared to remove something from his waistband, police said. No weapon was recovered.

Corrales and Diego heard a loud noise while driving in their patrol car and turned around to see Washington. The officers said the 27-year-old was looking around suspiciously and manipulating something in his waist area.

When the officers tried to stop Washington to investigate, he quickly approached them and seemed to pull something from his waistband, Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger told reporters at a news conference Saturday afternoon.

Each officer fired once and Washington was hit in the head, police said.

The officers fired "with the belief that he was arming himself, and in defense of their lives," Paysinger said.

Corrales and Diego called paramedics, who pronounced Washington dead at the scene.

ACLU of Southern California Executive Director Ramona Ripston said the organization was deeply troubled by the shooting.

"The initial news coverage of the incident shed little light on why lethal force was necessary when officers were not responding to any report of criminal activity and had no reason to suspect Mr. Washington of a crime just because they heard a loud noise as they were driving past," Ripston said in a statement.

"We urge the LAPD to go beyond a one-time investigation examining the conduct of the officers, and take a broader look at changes in department policy and training that could help prevent such a tragedy from recurring," she said.

Family members said at a news conference Saturday that Washington was autistic and had never shown any signs of violence or had any trouble with police.

"They assured us that they are investigating, they also assured us that they care, so all we want is answers," aunt Vickie Thompson said.

The LAPD's Force Investigation Division and the district attorney's office are investigating the shooting.

Corrales has been with the LAPD for nearly seven years, and Diego for nearly eight years, police said.

Source:AFP

World Water Week in LA

Do you take that glass of tap water for granted? The one that sits in front of you while you eat out?

So often we finish our soda, or our glass of wine, while those 12 ounces of clean water sit not enjoyed, not sipped, not used. But, of course, there are millions of people who need clean water, which is where UNICEF's annual tap water iniative comes in.

During the week of March 21-28, a host of restaurants throughout the United States and Los Angeles are asking diners to pay a dollar for their requested glass of tap water.

When all of those dollars are added up for the UNICEF Tap Project, the organization then puts them into its water, sanitation, and hygiene programs, which ultimately benefit people needing clean drinking water at spots around the globe.

AOC, Hugo's, and Real Food Daily are just a few of the local restaurants on the participant list. If you'll be dining out over the next week, and requesting water, make note and help out.

Source:nbclosangeles.com/

31 Los Angeles Marathon runners hospitalized, 1 in critical condition

Legal news for California personal injury attorneys. One runner is in critical condition, and 30 others were rushed to the hospital while running in LA marathon.

California personal injury attorneys alerts- The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to 115 calls of injured runners during the Los Angeles Marathon.

Los Angeles, CA—At least 31 runners, who participating in the 25th Annual Los Angeles Marathon, were rushed to the hospital after complaining of ailments such as fatigue, dehydration and chest paints. One runner was hospitalized in critical condition after collapsing during the marathon on Sunday, March 20, 2010, as reported by MyFoxLA.com.

Over 25,000 runners gathered to participate in the Los Angeles Marathon, which stretched for 26-miles and outside the Los Angeles city limits. The Los Angeles Fire Department was busy responding to 115 medical assessments during the marathon, in which 31 runners were rushed to area hospitals for treatment. Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center reportedly received seven runners, while Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopedic Hospital treated 10 other runners as of 6:30 p.m. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center reportedly treated injured runners as well. The hospitals reported that they had treated numerous aches, cramps, dehydration and shortness-of-breath complaints.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics were part of 10 two-person bicycle teams to patrol the entire marathon trek. The Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopedic Hospital medical director stated, “It’s important for people running a marathon to stretch, eat properly and stay hydrated tonight and in the days following the race… Running a marathon is stressful on the body, no matter how one prepares. Taking it easy and allowing your body to recuperate afterwards is the key to a healthy recovery.”

Source:justicenewsflash.com/