Echo Park cops pelted with rocks and smoke bombs as 200 protesters block clear-out of huge homeless encampment

COPS have been pelted with rocks and smoke bombs after 200 protesters blocked the removal of a huge homeless camp in Los Angeles.

Officers and protesters faced off at Echo Park Lake last night over the city's plan to shut the park and dismantle the homeless encampment.

Just before 10pm, park rangers and LAPD officers began slapping closure notices onto trees in the park, where homeless people have been living during the Covid pandemic, Los Angeles Times reports.

The signs said all personal property must be removed from the park "including, but not limited to, tents, chairs, tables, backpacks, bags, and personal items".

Protected by cops, city contractors were seen installing fencing under flood lights.

Activists had gathered in the park since 7am on Wednesday to castigate the planned closure and scuffles broke out after LAPD issued a dispersal order to the crowd over a loudspeaker and declared an "unlawful assembly".

Cops were seen shoving protesters, who responded by pelting bottles and rocks at the officers, according to reports.

Several hundreds cops had been called to the scene by 12.30am as protesters chanted: "Whose park? Our park!"

LAPD called for people to calmly disperse from the area and officers in riot gear moved in.

The demonstrators continued to chant: "Why are you in riot gear? I don't see no riot here!"

LAPD said in a tweet: "The Los Angeles Police Department continues to ask for calm and cooperation as the installation of fencing in support of the Echo Park rehabilitation effort continues.

"Unfortunately officers have received projectiles and refusals from individuals blocking streets in the area."

Cops also denied that officers had used tear gas against the protesters and posted: "There is NO tear gas being used."

The issue of the homeless encampment at Echo Park has become a "highly charged test of city leaders" as they struggle to balance demands for clean streets and a growing homeless problem, according to the LA Times.

The encampment grew last year to nearly 200 tents and covered nearly half the park, and nearby neighborhoods have complained about drug use, trash and crime.

Protesters have rallied against plans to permanently close the area of for what is being touted as more than $500,000 in repairs.

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said the homeless residents would be allowed to stay overnight, but that no one else can enter, and added that the residents must leave within 24 hours. 

Some of the protesters saw Moore's statement as a victory, with one shouting: "We won the night."

According to the LA Times, another said: "I live here and I consider tonight a victory."

Some residents of the Echo Park camp said they would refuse to leave, while others decided it was time to go. 

Edward Juarez told the LA Times that he had been living in the park since August after he lost his job as a professional photographer due to the pandemic.

"I just want to get out of here, it's getting crazy," he said.

Last night, the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition asked for eviction to be postponed so the residents "have the necessary time to meaningfully connect with service providers who are working tirelessly to serve them".

Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, whose district includes the park, said homeless service providers will continue to work with the park's residents this morning.

"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," he said in a statement to CBS Los Angeles.

"Department personnel are deployed in that area so that those efforts can begin in a safe and unimpeded manner.

"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."

The city is offering to move people into hotel rooms it is renting temporarily, according to the LA Times.

Ahmad Chapman, a spokesman for the homeless services agency, said outreach workers had moved 44 people from the park into hotels so far.

On Wednesday morning, buses continued to ferry people to a downtown hotel.

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