By
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - Three people were arrested and rubber bullets were fired when hundreds of black-clad marchers protesting police brutality clashed with police officers.
Protesters who rallied at police headquarters Sunday said officers fired at them as they attempted to walk around Parker Center before beginning the rally.
Police Capt. Jim Rubert said the conflict began after about 700 protesters gathered outside the designated rally site. Officers fired rubber bullets when protesters threw gallon-sized jars and broken glass at them, he said.
Officer Don Cox said police arrested three people for investigation of assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon. Several protesters showed reporters welts left by rubber bullets, but Cox said no injuries were reported.
More than 200 police officers - some in riot gear, some on horseback - later surrounded about 1,500 people who shouted at them and raised their fists while listening to speakers whose loved ones were killed or injured in police conflicts.
"You all are the worst police force in the U.S. history. You all have disgraced this country," said Brian Smith, who said his brother Danny Ray Smith died of asphyxiation in police custody two years ago.
Alleged corruption at LAPD's Rampart station was a key topic at the demonstration, part of a national protest scheduled for more than 50 cities. But speakers also criticized out-of-town police actions, including the New York City police shooting of Amadou Diallo, and the Pennsylvania death-penalty case of Mumia Abu-Jamal.
