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Dakota Smith Profile
Dakota Smith

@dakotacdsmith

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LA Times reporter covering City Hall. Sometimes Twitter shows me "liking" Tweets I never did. @dakotacdsmith @mas .to is where I am at Mastodon.

Los Angeles
Joined April 2009
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
A few hundred people here down near Staples Center. Crowd shouting “Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!”
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Marsha Steinberg, 76, at Pan Pacific Park rally. “I was here for Rodney (King). Nothing has changed.” She says people have not had an “outlet for justice.” Says change has to come from new District Attorneys who prosecute cops.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
This is Nordstroms at the Grove being looted. Security guys outside Nike begging protestors not to break in their store. “We’re one of you,” one said.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
1 year
LAPD officer with hard foam projectile gun standing behind City Council chambers. These weapons more commonly used during large street protests.
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Dakota Smith
9 years
Cat, in a tie, at City Hall hearing on upping number of cats per household in LA. http://t.co/dZPrqNENHb
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
6 years
Lots of cheers as John Cox’s bus rolls up to Santa Clarita.
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Dakota Smith
3 years
LAPD says they interviewed man featured in video at anti-vax rally who talked about "guns" and "civil war" and threatened to go to LA city councilmembers' homes over proposed vaccine mandate. His "words and statements" fall under 1st Amendment protected activity, LAPD says.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
6 years
John Cox in Burbank this morning rallying to repeal the gas tax.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
7 years
Congresswoman Judy Chu is here at LAX trying to talk to someone about detentions.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
6 years
John Cox now talking to teenagers in Vallejo. Tells them their ability to live in California when they are adults hinges in part on whether they can afford the housing here in the state.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
Councilman Cedillo's web site is now down,
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
Rep. Karen Bass will announce at 9 am today that she's running for L.A. mayor, a source says.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
7 years
Congress members Barragan and Chu speaking to CBP rep on phone but getting no info
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
Garcetti says that if any Los Angeles fire fighters are still refusing to get vaccinated in a couple of months, he would "potentially" support mandatory vaccination. "It's something that we're talking about, especially those who will be interacting with the public."
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
New barricades outside Getty House come after weeks of protests. Mayor’s office declined to comment on why they were put up.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
"I read history and in pandemics, they usually throw everybody out and often kill them -- at least in medieval Europe whenever there were pandemics -- so things are, I think, a little bit better than that," Garcetti, speaking to Washington Post about elected officials and covid.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
7 years
A group of volunteer attorneys set up at LAX and are advising people. Passerby just shouted "Thank you, lawyers!"
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
5 years
A giant inflatable rat is outside City Hall this morning. Protesters using rat to highlight FBI investigation at City Hall and development practices in city. And of course, rat problem in building.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Garcetti orders closure of LA restaurants, but drive-thru, pick-up and takeout still allowed. Movie theaters and gyms also ordered closed.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
5 years
Here in Berkeley, Cox is talking about high housing prices. One auto body worker tells Cox that he commutes from Modesto to save money and be near family.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Garcetti announces that 6,000 beds will be delivered at recreation centers to move the homeless into centers to help them avoid virus.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Two protesters have been detained by LAPD during protest outside Getty House. Protesters want hotel rooms for homeless, cancellation of all residential rents.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
Firefighters 4 Freedom, a group of LA city firefighters and police officers, plans to sue the city over the new requirement that city employees be vaccinated.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
Two animal shelter volunteers say they were suspended by the city Thursday. The city requires that the unpaid volunteers get permission to speak to the media. “I didn’t say anything negative,” said one volunteer.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
Bass suggested at KNX debate that Caruso bought his endorsement from the progressive Democratic club Avance. Nilza Serrano, president of Avance, gasped when I called and repeated what Bass said. She suggested that Bass didn't work to get the endorsement.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
6 years
About a dozen and half protesters in front of Garcetti’s Getty House, shouting “Abolish ICE.” Group is from the Democratic Socialists of America-L.A.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
City Council chambers at capacity, meaning the protesters outside -- who want to block the meeting from happening -- can't get in. These are all DWP management workers here for a vote on an amendment to their contract. They were in line to get into the chamber by 8:30 a.m.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
The question to ask: Why did it take a pandemic for the mayor to take such decisive action on moving homeless people indoors?
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 months
I worked so hard to get to the L.A. Times. I want the paper to thrive and for its reporters, editors and owner to come together now.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
All LAX visitors must wear masks or face coverings, mayor announces
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
City Councilman Paul Krekorian voted in as next council president. With Garcetti on a plane headed to Argentina, Krekorian is also acting mayor of L.A.!
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
Black Lives Matter-LA says that they are outside Getty House to protest Garcetti's possible Cabinet appointment. Homeless housing advocates Ktown for All are also there,
@BLMLA
#BlackLivesMatter-LA
3 years
HAPPENING RIGHT NOW! Meet us at the mayor’s mansion - 605 S. Irving - to protest the proposed appointment of one of the worst mayors in the country to Biden cabinet. #FGarcetti @WP4BL @DSA_LosAngeles @PplsCityCouncil @KtownforAll @kendrick38 @WeBldPwr @SunriseMvmtLA @BLMLAYOUTH
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
Councilman Mike Bonin, speaking at last night's "Cancel Rent" event, says city has "failed to acknowledge the severity of this economic crisis, how deep it is, and how profound and long lasting it's going to be."
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas' name has been removed from the list of Karen Bass' endorsers,
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
L.A. relies on hundreds of unpaid volunteers to exercise and help adopt out dogs at city animal shelters, a system that's being stressed as the shelters face an overcrowding crisis
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
Woman with knife disrupts Councilman Buscaino's mayoral campaign event in Venice focused on homelessness. “She said, ‘I’m gonna start killing people,’" said one person at the event. @boreskes
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
At City Council District 14 debate, candidate Kevin de Leon calls for free L.A. public transportation for everyone under the age of 25. Debate underway at Million Dollar Theater.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
Rob Wilcox, spokesman for the City Atty.'s Office, confirms that Atty. General Bonta's office has advised the city to retain emails and other documents related to the 2021 redistricting process.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Mayor’s office tonight: “The City put in temporary barriers to protect the plants.”
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
The price of being 'essential': Latino service workers bear brunt of coronavirus
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Chants of “fuck the police.” Group has defaced Metro bus, climbed atop it.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
LAX air passenger traffic is down 85%, concession revenues are down 50% and rental car transactions are down 80%, said Sean Burton, president of the LA board of airport commissioners at morning meeting. "Clearly, the magnitude of what we are facing is immense."
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
L.A. City Councilman David Ryu announces that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has endorsed his re-election campaign.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
5 years
No one has arrived yet at John Cox’s election night party at the U.S. Grant hotel in San Diego.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Protesters are outside Getty House this morning, leading a drive-by car protest and calling on Garcetti to ban all tenant evictions.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
Jimmie Woods-Gray, president of the city’s Board of Fire Commissioners said, "They can organize all that they want to. But we’re not backing down."
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
Garcetti says he'll remain as mayor and he let the Biden team know that this week. "There were things on the table for me,” Garcetti said. He declined to say what was available to him.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Big blow to City Atty. Mike Feuer this morning as city ordered to pay $2.5 million in sanctions after judge finds "serious abuse" of discovery process by city in PricewaterhouseCoopers/DWP case. PWC alleges city concealed evidence in case.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
“That’s a clear reflection of her taking Latinos for granted. You really have to work your base to get us to show up. You can’t just take us for granted,” said Serrano of Bass.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
The city's safer-at-home order is extended through May 15, Garcetti says. This follows county announcement earlier today. "Officials could not provide a definitive answer as to when the stay-at-home order will ease."
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
8 years
Logan Elementary principal Mojgan Moazzez telling parents about closure. Cars have been pulling up all morning.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Los Angeles police union official said that Garcetti "smeared every single police officer in Los Angeles and across the nation by calling us killers.”
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
About a dozen cop cars look to be destroyed or defaced on 3rd Street
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Garcetti says he's ordered a moratorium for eviction of renters and will work with City Attorney on perhaps a similar moratorium on evictions of restaurants.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
Garcetti heading today to Argentina to attend the C40 Mayors Summit, returning on Sunday. So CM Mitch O'Farrell is now acting city council president and mayor (per the rules that allow the president to be mayor when mayor is out of state.)
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
Among the reasons voters don't think politicians can solve homelessness: "Participants saw corruption in City Hall...as evidence or at least reason to fear that homelessness funds are being misspent or outright stolen."
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
Bass' lead continues to grow in the L.A. mayor's race. She's at 42.87% to Caruso's 36.33%, according to latest results.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
Garcetti tonight on LA’s reopening: “The city of Los Angeles will align with the County Health Officer order including allowing outdoor dining at restaurants starting on Friday.”
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
Garcetti's office on photo showing him maskless at Super Bowl: "The mayor was wearing his mask the entire game, except when he was eating or drinking."
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
5 years
“Hollywood is looking more and more like Charlotte, N.C. — with no personality,” said Jill Stewart, executive director of the Coalition to Preserve L.A., which advocates on planning and development issues. Goodbye. Amoeba Music building,
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
6 years
I'm here outside a tent camp for immigrant teens in Tornillo, Texas where Garcetti and a group of U.S. mayors will call on Trump to reunify families. NYC mayor Bill de Blasio says he and other mayors will try and enter the camp.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Los Angeles County leaders passed new rules Tuesday aimed at protecting the health of food delivery workers on platforms like Instacart, Doordash and Shipt w/ @suhaunah
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
New statement from @mel4abetterLA on Feuer and Buscaino. "Two candidates for L.A. mayor who recently dropped out of the race before Election Day were allowed on every single debate stage and forums - while others certified candidates, including myself, were excluded."
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
5 years
Garcetti's speech at USC on human rights interrupted by protesters; event has turned into a shouting match/Q&A between Garcetti and protesters angry about LAPD, homelessness, gentrification and Olympics. Many in audience also applauding him.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
1 year
Speaking to business leaders, Bass said she urged White House to focus on LA's homeless. "Biden said that he wanted to reduce homelessness in the country by 25% in two years. I called up and said...if you come to LA and deal with our situation, you'll meet your national goal."
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
5 years
“I have decided not to throw my hat into the ring," Garcetti says at press event announcing decision not to run for president. "It's such an honor to work at the local level."
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
1 year
KDL entering City Hall through Temple Street entrance. He said that he hasn't read Cedillo's letter that the former councilman wrote, blaming "cancel culture" for the resignation calls.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
1 year
La Opinión is demanding a public retraction of a mailer supporting Marisa Alcaraz in CD 6 race paid for by Local 770 United Food and Commercial Workers PAC. The mailer says Alcaraz is endorsed by La Opinión. "That endorsement is a false claim," Armando Varela, executive editor.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
City Council Ad Hoc committee votes to censure Martinez, Cedillo and De Leon, a symbolic move. It goes to full council today.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Black Lives Matter rally has spilled onto 3rd Street with protesters heading west
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
7 years
Garcetti revs up crowd, telling them, "Today we speak out but tomorrow we act." #womensmarchla
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
Garcetti could still ban outdoor dining in Los Angeles since the city can enact restrictions that are tougher than those of the county. Back in June, he expressed concern that county was moving too quickly as it re-opened bars. He later said "those things happened too quickly.”
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
"I'm the older, straighter Pete," Garcetti just said at a conference on homeless conference, comparing himself to the presidential hopeful.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
1 year
I ran into #CD6 candidate Marco Santana and his mom Maria at a Van Nuys voting center. Only about 4 people had voted there as of this morning, according to an election worker.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
From Politico: "Garcetti will speak at a climate summit hosted by the U.K., France and U.N. on Dec. 12, as a proxy for Biden and his administration, which cannot be invited for protocol reasons." Comes as there is talk Garcetti could get a climate change position w/Biden.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Mayor on why outdoor restaurants allowed to operate if he's also recommending people stay home if possible. "Outdoor spaces properly spaced are very safe...So, we don't discourage people from dining out." Ended his answer by saying, "I, personally, I'll be ordering in."
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
10 years
Guitarist for Sublime pauses to thank Mayor Garcetti for supporting MIA concert. "He took a lot of shit for this," guitarist told crowd.
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
'They're all tainted by it.' Federal corruption cases deal new blow to trust in City Hall
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
Number of Los Angeles firefighters testing positive for the coronavirus has dropped significantly the vaccine was offered to them. Still, just 60 percent of the force has taken a dose, despite being at the front of the line for it. With @palewire
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
2 years
Garcetti's India ambassador hearing is up...next Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Looters running out with stuff from the Apple store at the Grove
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
3 years
Garcetti says qualified L.A. restaurant workers can apply for one-time $800 stipend from the non-profit LA Mayor's Fund
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@dakotacdsmith
Dakota Smith
4 years
Community, labor, policy and academic groups met with Garcetti yesterday and sent a four page letter demanding a host of changes: Cuts to LAPD budget, investigation into the LAPD's tactics at Fairfax and 3rd, the immediate withdrawal of the National Guard and much more.
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