Police arrested two individuals after a protest escalated into battle at a Koreatown temple on Wednesday. The turmoil adopted an illustration in opposition to a non-public occasion on the Audrey Irmas Pavilion on the Wilshire Boulevard Temple headlined by Israeli protection know-how personnel.
Los Angeles police have been on scene simply after 10 a.m., division spokesman Jeff Lee stated in an interview. There, they detained two people who have been being held by temple safety amid the disturbance.
“They have been blocking the sidewalk, and workers of the temple weren’t in a position to depart,” Lee alleged. “Officers responded and have been in a position to disperse the group.”
Rabbi Joel Nickerson, talking on behalf of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, described the incident as a “disturbing outbreak of hate that resulted in arrests for battery and the destruction of property.” He stated in an announcement that people “focused the Jewish group” and disrupted an occasion aimed toward “advancing public security in Koreatown.”
“Nobody needs to be focused within the Metropolis of Los Angeles on account of their religion,” he stated.
The demonstration, organized by Nodutdol for Korean Group Improvement and Koreatown for Palestine, was held in opposition to a non-public public-safety symposium hosted by the Israeli Consulate on the Audrey Irmas Pavilion. In statements circulated forward of the occasion, protest organizers urged the temple “to not welcome warfare criminals and genociders.”
In line with occasion supplies, audio system centered on “AI-driven security instruments” that communities may use “to strengthen native safety with out relying solely on authorities businesses,” and mentioned security challenges “amid pro-Palestinian protests.” This system featured Israeli protection sector audio system and a Korean missionary.
Protesters objected particularly to keynote speaker Goni Saar, an AI researcher for Elbit Methods. The Israel-based protection agency produces unmanned plane, electronic-warfare know-how, cybersecurity programs and munitions.
“We all know that these applied sciences are created on the concentrating on and killing of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Financial institution, and can do the identical to weak communities in Ktown,” the group posted on its Fb account.
The group cited considerations round Israel’s use of AI surveillance programs within the war-torn Gaza Strip. Israel has used AI programs on the battlefield to compile potential targets, additionally described as “kill lists,” in accordance with the Lieber Institute for Legislation & Warfare.
“We don’t consider the lie that Elbit Methods and the genocidal state of Israel which has attacked 5 of its neighbors within the final 2 years, and makes use of their know-how to focus on humanitarian reduction websites, refugee camps and hospitals will have the ability to make LA safer,” the group stated.
Organizers couldn’t be reached for remark.
Mayor Karen Bass stated she was briefed on stories that people on the protest used antisemitic slurs and brought on property injury contained in the temple. Wilshire Boulevard Temple officers stated that protesters knocked over a vase through the altercation.
“This conduct is abhorrent and has no place in Los Angeles,” she stated. “The Metropolis of Los Angeles stands with [Wilshire Boulevard Temple] and totally condemns these assaults.”
Bass stated she spoke with Rabbi Nickerson and deployed extra LAPD patrols to websites of worship in Koreatown.
Los Angeles Metropolis Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto issued an announcement confirming her workplace would examine the incident additional.
“The accounts I used to be supplied describe conduct that crosses the road into legal exercise,” she stated. “Our workplace will evaluation referrals from legislation enforcement and prosecute any crimes established to the fullest extent of the legislation.”
