More Police Protests Scheduled In Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, LA

SANTA MONICA, CA — More police protests are planned Wednesday across Los Angeles County, including a protest against attacks on protesters on May 31 during protests, looting and unrest in Santa Monica.

Protests are planned at the following locations Wednesday:

• In Santa Monica, a protest starts at 5 p.m. at 333 Olympic Drive. Follow @SM4Democracy for more information.
• In Downtown Los Angeles, a protest against Jackie Lacey is planned at 3 p.m. at 211 W. Temple St. Follow @blmlosangeles @bldpwr for more information.
• In Downtown Los Angeles, a LA Candidate guide protest starts at 5 p.m. at LA City Hall. Follow @cityhallsessions for more information.
• In Fairfax, a youth empowerment protest begins at 5 p.m. at Pan Pacific Park, 7600 Beverly Blvd. Follow @Alexakrull for more information.
• In Sherman Oaks, an *Every Day* Black Lives Matter Protest will be held from 12 to 8 p.m. at the Galleria, near the corner of Ventura and Sepulveda. Follow @thevalleyofchange for more information.

More than 400 people were arrested in Santa Monica following the unrest from May 31 to June 1, according to Santa Monica police Chief Cynthia Renaud. A majority of the people arrested were not Santa Monica residents, Renaud said, and they were arrested on suspicion of looting, burglary and assault with a deadly weapon. The city later said they would not press charges against peaceful protesters.

Some locals have been critical of local law enforcement for their responses to protests and have called on the Santa Monica police chief to resign in the wake of the events on May 31, saying that police did not act to protect people and local businesses and appeared to be caught by surprise by the events of that day. As of Wednesday, more than 65,834 people have signed a change.org petition calling for Renaud's resignation.

"After seeing the widespread looting and vandalism of our city and local businesses, we can do better," according to the statement on change.org. "After seeing our brave law enforcement officers stand by without strong leadership or overarching strategy to protect themselves, our city, and its citizens, we have to do better."

Following community outcry, Councilmember Sue Himmelrich requested that Santa Monica Police Department conduct an after-action review of the events of May 31 to be reviewed by the city's Office of Independent Review, a third party.

RELATED: Photos: Curfew Extended Monday As Clean Up Begins In Santa Monica

In Los Angeles, protests Wednesday are focused on calling for Jackie Lacey's resignation. Lacey is seeking her third term as the county's top prosecutor. She is facing a runoff election in November with former San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon.

Misdemeanor assault charges were filed this week against Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey's husband, who pointed a handgun out his front door while ordering a group of Black Lives Matter protesters to leave his Granada Hills property in March. David Allan Lacey, 66, was charged Monday with three misdemeanor counts of assault with a firearm involving the early-morning run-in March 2 with demonstrators, according to Politico, which obtained the charging document filed by the California Attorney General's Office. His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 13 at the San Fernando courthouse.

The protest occurred before sunrise on March 2. David Lacey was seen on video pointing a handgun out the front door of the couple's home and ordering Black Lives Matter protesters to leave the property. No arrests or injuries were reported.

Members of Black Lives Matter who took part in the protest immediately condemned David Lacey's actions. Activist Jasmyne Cannick posted the video online and circulated links to it via email to local media outlets.

Black Lives Matter has repeatedly protested against Jackie Lacey, criticizing her for what they see as a failure to hold law enforcement officers accountable for shootings of Black suspects, and accusing her of failing to meet with them to discuss the issue.

- City News Service and Patch Editor Nicole Charky contributed to this report.

See more:

• Santa Monica Sushi Bar Arson: Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
• Video: Lowriders Cruise By The Boardwalk In Santa Monica, Venice
• Riot Games Gives Week Off To Employees Due To Burnout, Pandemic