Tessa Quinn
In September 2020, protesters blocked the entrance of an LA hospital where two officers were being treated after being shot in an ambush. The protesters shouted slogans like Death to the police and We hope they die, referring to the two LA sheriff's deputies who were shot in Compton. The LA County Sheriff's Department and police chiefs across the nation condemned the protesters for blocking emergency entries and exits to the hospital, stating that people's lives were at stake when ambulances could not get through. A reporter, Josie Huang, was also arrested during the protest for allegedly violating the obstruction law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood |
| Date | 13 September 2020 |
| Time | Evening |
| Protesters | A small crowd |
| Protesters' slogans | "We hope they die", "Death to the police", "Kill the police", "You're next with the f------ hot pocket" |
| Police response | Blocked protesters from entering the hospital, pointed weapons at protesters, arrested protesters |
| Arrested individuals | One man, one journalist (Josie Huang of KPCC and LAist) |
| Charges | Obstruction, violating the obstruction law, Penal Code Section 148 |
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What You'll Learn
Protesters blocked LA hospital entrances and exits
On Saturday, 12 September 2020, two Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies, a 24-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, were shot in Compton, Los Angeles. The deputies were sitting in their patrol car at the MLK Transit Center in Compton when the shooter, who remains at large, approached the LASD vehicle from behind and opened fire. The two officers were then transported to St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, where they underwent emergency surgery.
A small crowd of protesters, some shouting slogans like "Death to the police!", gathered outside the hospital where the wounded deputies were being treated. The protesters blocked the hospital's entrances and exits, with some trying to break into the emergency room. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department tweeted, "To the protesters blocking the entrance & exit of the HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM yelling 'We hope they die' referring to 2 LA Sheriff's ambushed today in #Compton: DO NOT BLOCK EMERGENCY ENTRIES & EXITS TO THE HOSPITAL. People's lives are at stake when ambulances can't get through."
The situation escalated as sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene and ordered the protesters to disperse. One protester, a man, was arrested for failing to comply with the dispersal order. A journalist, Josie Huang of KPCC and LAist, was also arrested for allegedly violating the obstruction law. Huang was released hours later, and the obstruction charge against her was dropped.
The incident drew widespread condemnation from journalism organizations, with the sheriff's chief watchdog launching an investigation. It also prompted criticism from police chiefs, who called the protesters' actions a "new low" and a display of a "lack of humanity".
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Protesters tried to break into the hospital
In September 2020, protesters tried to break into a Los Angeles hospital where two officers were being treated after an 'ambush' shooting. The protesters were angry about the shooting of Kizzee while riding a bicycle in the Westmont neighbourhood of South LA, and the killing of two other black Americans. They shouted slogans like "Death to the police!" and "I hope they f------ die", referring to the two deputies. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department shared videos of the shooting and of the protesters blocking the hospital entrance and exit.
The incident drew widespread condemnation from journalism organisations, as a reporter, Josie Huang of KPCC and LAist, was arrested while covering the protests. Huang was taken into custody outside St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood and released hours later. She received a citation for allegedly violating obstruction laws, though KPCC refuted this, saying she was wearing press credentials. Huang posted videos on Twitter recalling the incident, including one showing deputies damaging her phone.
The sheriff's department tweeted a dispersal order for the unlawful assembly of protesters, and arrested a man who refused to comply. A female adult, later identified as a member of the press, also ran towards the deputies during the arrest and was taken into custody. The deputies were out of surgery by 11 pm PT, and their conditions were downgraded to stable.
The protests were described by Detroit Police Chief James Craig as a "new low", showing a "lack of humanity". Craig highlighted the "escalation of violence toward our men and women in uniform" and the blocking of emergency entrances, which endangered patients requiring immediate medical attention.
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A journalist was arrested at the protest
In September 2020, protesters gathered outside St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, Los Angeles, where two sheriff's deputies were being treated for gunshot wounds. The deputies had been shot at point-blank range while sitting in their patrol vehicle in Compton, Los Angeles. The shooting was described as an "ambush" attack, and the deputies underwent surgery for their wounds. Protesters attempted to break into the hospital's emergency room, blocking the entrance and exit and chanting, "We hope they die".
A journalist, Josie Huang of KPCC and LAist, was arrested at the protest. Huang was taken into custody and received a citation for allegedly violating the obstruction law, Penal Code Section 148. Video footage from the scene shows deputies pinning Huang to the ground and handcuffing her. Huang had allegedly rushed towards the police line to see what was happening. According to the sheriff's department, Huang did not identify herself as a member of the media and lacked the necessary press credentials.
The incident drew widespread condemnation from journalism organizations, with the sheriff's chief watchdog launching an investigation. It was not an isolated event, as several journalists covering protests in Los Angeles have reported being attacked or detained by law enforcement. There has been an outcry from journalists and organizations advocating for press freedom, with calls for authorities to ensure the respect and safety of the press.
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Two officers underwent surgery after the shooting
On Saturday, September 12, 2020, two Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies, a 24-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, were shot at point-blank range in an ambush attack. The shooting occurred around 7 p.m. local time outside a Metro rail station in Compton, Los Angeles. The deputies were sitting in their patrol car at the MLK Transit Center in Compton when the shooter approached the vehicle from behind and fired several bullets inside through the passenger-side window.
The two officers were critically wounded and transported to a local hospital in Lynwood, where they underwent emergency surgery. They were listed in critical condition immediately after the shooting but were out of surgery and had their conditions downgraded to stable by 11 p.m. PT.
In the aftermath of the shooting, protests erupted outside the hospital where the deputies were being treated. Videos posted on social media showed a group of protesters gathering outside the hospital, with some trying to break into the hospital's emergency room and shouting slogans like "Death to the police!" and "We hope they die". The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department tweeted a dispersal order, stating that protesters were blocking the hospital's emergency entries and exits, and ambulances could not get through.
During the protests, a struggle ensued between the deputies and a male adult protester who refused to comply with the dispersal order. A female adult, later identified as KPCC/LAist reporter Josie Huang, ran towards the deputies during the arrest, interfering with the process. Huang was arrested for allegedly obstructing justice and released hours later. She received a citation for allegedly violating the obstruction law, but KPCC refuted the charge, stating that she was clearly wearing press credentials.
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Protesters clashed with law enforcement
On Saturday, September 12, 2020, two Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies, a 24-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, were shot in an ambush attack at the MLK Transit Center in Compton. The deputies were sitting in their patrol car when the shooter approached from behind and fired several bullets inside. The two officers were critically injured and were rushed to a local hospital in Lynwood, where they underwent surgery.
In the wake of the shooting, protesters gathered outside the hospital where the wounded deputies were being treated. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department tweeted that protesters were blocking the hospital's emergency room entrances and exits, yelling, "We hope they die." The department urged the protesters not to block emergency entries and exits, stating that people's lives were at stake when ambulances couldn't get through.
Videos posted on social media showed a tense confrontation between the protesters and law enforcement officers outside the hospital. The protesters attempted to get inside the emergency room, with some chanting slogans like "Death to the police!" and "Kill the police!". Law enforcement officers, including sheriff's deputies, were present in large numbers and worked to prevent the protesters from entering the hospital grounds.
During the protest, a struggle broke out when a male adult protester refused to comply with orders to disperse. A female adult, later identified as Josie Huang, a reporter for KPCC and LAist, ran towards the deputies during the arrest, ignoring repeated commands to stay back. Huang was tackled to the ground, arrested, and taken into custody for allegedly obstructing justice. Huang's arrest sparked widespread condemnation from journalism organizations, with KPCC refuting the claims that she lacked proper press credentials.
The clash between protesters and law enforcement at the hospital reflects the escalating tensions between the community and the Sheriff's Department following several deputy-involved shootings in the area. Detroit Police Chief James Craig, alongside other police chiefs, condemned the protesters' actions, calling it a "new low" and citing the potential risk to others needing immediate medical attention.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, protesters have shown up at LA hospitals. In one instance, protesters gathered outside a hospital where two wounded officers were being treated after an 'ambush' shooting.
The protests were spurred by immigration raids by federal immigration authorities in areas of the city with prominent Latino populations.
Protesters blocked the hospital's emergency entrance and exits, with some chanting "we hope they die".
Yes, a man was arrested for "refusing to comply and cooperate" and a member of the press who "interfered" with the arrest.
