Homeless activists backed by socialists attack LAPD trying to shut down 'largest self-run' encampment



Los Angeles police officers clashed with homeless people and activists while trying to shut down a large encampment that some claim has the support of the local community.

The LAPD issued a citywide tactical alert on Wednesday over the altercations at Echo Park Lake, about three miles north of downtown Los Angeles, where hundreds of homeless people have encamped for more than a year.

The tents have transformed into a makeshift communal society with a pantry and garden, but homeowners have fumed on YouTube and other social media platforms that the encampment has brought crime and unsafe conditions. An online petition from nearby residents demanded that the city remove the camp and received more than 4,000 signatures.

On Wednesday the police tried to close the park and remove the encampment but they were attacked by the homeless and their activist supporters. Police said they threw bottles and rocks at the officers.

"The Los Angeles Police Department was asked to support community safety efforts during installation of the fencing to assist in the rehabilitation of Echo Park," said a statement from Los Angeles Councilman Mitch O'Farrell, whose district includes the park.

"Department personnel are deployed in that area so that those efforts can begin in a safe and unimpeded manner," he added. "Our homeless service providers will return tomorrow morning to continue their work with the park's unhoused residents to offer shelter and services to anyone who wants and needs the assistance."

Activists excoriated O'Farrell on social media and blamed him for what they called an immoral effort to "gentrify" the neighborhood.

🚨ALERT: Multiple sources confirm @MitchOFarrell is planning to have police displace the entire unhoused community a… https://t.co/D4fhJcQQyO
— Street Watch LA (@Street Watch LA)1616427039.0

"Multiple sources confirm @MitchOFarrell is planning to have police displace the entire unhoused community at echo park lake this Wednesday, and put up fences to close the entire park by Thursday. Please share + come support the community this Wednesday," read a tweet from StreetWatch L.A., a homeless advocacy group organized by the socialist party.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the action by the police was countered by over 200 protesters demanding that they let the encampment exist.

A notice by the police notified the public that any personal property left in the park by 10:30 p.m. on Thursday would be removed by the city. In response, StreetWatch L.A. called for more protests to stop the police action on Thursday.

Here's a local report about the echo park altercation:

Crackdown at Echo Park homeless encampment begins as LAPD moves in, clashes with protesterswww.youtube.com

Surveillance video shows man stab Jack in the Box manager after being told to wear a mask



Surveillance video from a Jack in the Box showed how quickly a dispute over a mask can turn into a violent attack.

Police released the video from the fast food restaurant in League City, Texas, a town south of Houston.

The video from Wednesday shows the fast food manager speaking to a man who walks towards the exit of the restaurant. Police said that the manager had told the man to wear a mask or use the drive-thru.

After the manager turns away, the man quickly doubles back, reaches for the manager, and swings his arm with an object in his fist. The video ends before the actual stabbing of the manager, but police said that other employees intervened during the struggle that ensued.

The manager was stabbed three times in the arm and the torso with a pocketknife. He was released from a hospital after receiving treatment.

Police believe the man fled on a bicycle after the attack.

The official League City Police Department social media account posted screenshots from the video and sought help from the public in identifying the man.

The League City Police Department needs the public's help identifying this man. He is suspected of stabbing an empl… https://t.co/pC27vhXRLL
— LeagueCityTX (@LeagueCityTX)1616084542.0

Police later identified the man as James Henry Schultz, 53.

"[Schultz] belligerently refused and said they did not want to serve him because he was homeless and began yelling that he would be contacting his attorney as he was filming with his cell phone," said League City police chief Gary Ratliff during a media briefing according to KHOU-TV.

Ratcliff went on to ask that the public respect mask policies of businesses.

"I would ask that people respect the policies that have been put in place by these local businesses and any businesses around," he added. "A lot of these people...have had personal events with loved ones that have died and passed away as a result of COVID as have some of our officers."

An arrest warrant for aggravated assault has been issued for Schultz.

Here's a local news video about the violent incident:

Man refused to wear mask, then stabbed Jack in the Box employee, police saywww.youtube.com