Last night, more than 600 protestors gathered around the Anaheim City Hall in California, following the death of two young men at the hands of police last weekend. Their deaths were at least the fifth officer-involved deaths so far this year, and the sixth officer-involved shooting in the city.
Protests started on Saturday, sparked by the death of Manuel Diaz, who police say was a known gang member. Police killed Diaz near an alley on Saturday after Diaz attempted to run away. According to the police, Diaz was not carrying a gun, and two officers were put on paid leave as a result of the killing. Then, on Sunday police shot and killed Matthew Acevedo following a brief car chase during which Acevedo shot at police.
The protests Tuesday were the fourth night of demonstrations against police brutality and misconduct. According to NBC Los Angeles, protestors gathered in front of City Hall at 4pm to “urge councilmembers to investigate those shootings and reform the city’s police force, which residents have accused of racial profiling.” After filling the council chamber, protestors clashed with police on the streets.
Watch a video of police clashing with protestors:
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Police fired pepperballs and bean bag rounds at the protestors, who threw rocks and lawn chairs back at the officers. The Orange County district attorney’s office will lead an inquiry of the two police officers put on leave.