More than 100 protesters gather in Fullerton, some recalling their own violent episodes with police
Some 100 protesters gathered Saturday afternoon at the Fullerton Transportation Center as violence and outrage continued to erupt nationwide from the death of George Floyd as he was being apprehended by a Minneapolis police officer.
The location was symbolic. The transportation center has been dubbed by activists as Kelly’s Corner in memory of Kelly Thomas, a homeless man who was fatally beaten by police in 2011, near a light pole at the expansive facility.
Protesters held signs that read ” Black Lives Matter” and “Who do you Call When the Murderer Wears a Badge?”
A woman who appeared to be leading the demonstration used a loudspeaker to attack police for being at the rally. “Your presence is agitating us,” she shouted. The officers eventually retreated about 4:30 p.m.
Numerous protesters addressed the crowd, recounting violent encounters with police.
R. Joshua Collins of the Homeless Advocates for Christ said when he lived on the streets in Las Vegas he had experience with law officers similar to that of Floyd.
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“My head was on the concrete and he (the police officer) was kneeling on my head,” Collins told the crowd. “It felt like my head was going to explode like a watermelon. By the grace of God I survived.”
“Police shouldn’t love their jobs before the love of people,” he said.
Shortly before 5 p.m., the protesters began marching from the transportation center toward the Fullerton police headquarters. While en route, a protester threw a bottle at a man driving a vehicle. A woman tried to punch the driver while another kicked his car.
Protesters crowded the intersection of Highland Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue, shouting “Our Street.” For a short, tense period, there was a standoff between police and the crowd. Officers dressed in riot gear told the crowd over a bullhorn to clear the intersection and please leave the area. After a few minutes, the crowd turned back, heading the way they had come, back to the bus depot.
Donna Acevedo-Nelson said she felt compelled to attend the Fullerton demonstration because her son Joel Acevedo was killed by Anaheim officers in July 2012.
Nelson said the culture of good police officers protecting bad ones must change. “Why don’t they stand up and turn in the bad ones?” she asked.
Authorities said two demonstrators were arrested in Fullerton. Valerie Paneguia, 34, of Buena Park, was arrested on suspicion of failure to disperse. And Donald Gibson, 42, of Anaheim, was arrested on suspicion of vandalism and possession of methamphetamine.