Venice Drum Circle Turns Violent; 2 Arrested

[antiquie]

Two people were arrested and a police officer was injured after violence erupted when hundreds of people who had gathered for a drum circle on the Venice boardwalk were told to disperse Sunday night, authorities said.

Between 400 and 500 people had gathered during the evening as part of a weekly drum circle when police arrived, Munoz said.

Citing beach rules, officers attempted to break up the drum circle, according to Munoz.

One officer was treated for injuries he sustained after a bottle hit his leg, according to Munoz. Another bottle broke the window of a police vehicle, he said.

The crowd eventually dispersed, with the exception of one person who rushed the police line and another person who refused to move, according to Munoz.

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[Warren Stupidity]

1. So in summary, peaceful people gathered in a weekly drum circle were harrassed by police.

[antiquie]

2. It is difficult to find an alternative explanation.

[zappaman]

7. Your summary is incorrect.

As others have explained in this thread, there has been a longstanding understanding that the circle is to shut down at dusk.
Thanks to some assholes in the crowd, it doesn't always go well. Most participants are cool though.
In truth, the cops don't mind the drum circle and even participate sometimes.
But, the residents need relief at night and that's why it is always shut down.

[TeamPooka]

3. I used to live in a building on the Venice boardwalk right near the drum circle.

Venice is a great place but there are a lot of trouble makers that go to the drum circle.
It can also be used as a cover activity by gang members in the area.
I saw a guy get stabbed there once from my window.
And there is a noise ordinance because the circle is really fucking loud once the beach quiets down and it gets dark
The beach has rules because it's also a residential area.
The circle was going after curfew and the police broke them up.
End of story.

[antiquie]

4. ! I thought curfew was midnight.

The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Ocean Front Walk and Breeze Avenue, according to Lt. Marco Munoz of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Pacific Division.

[TeamPooka]

5. There's a noise curfew that kicks in at 8. Midnight is for being on the beach.

[zappaman]

8. Where did you live?

I'm a ways away and still the sound carries.

[SunSeeker]

6. Those "drum circles" are just raucous LOUD parties of people banging on bongos.

For the poor folks who actually live there, I am sure they were relieved when this 500-person bongo fest was broken up. This is a very densely populated residential area of apartments and closely stacked houses that abut the beach boardwalk. It is crazy enough during the day with the beach crowd, street performers and trinket sellers, so the residents dearly need some peace and quiet at night.

Living there is a nightmare. I've spent the night in an apartment there. After about an hour, the incessant bongos gave me a splitting headache, not to mention the random screams and sounds of bottles breaking. These " drum circles" are not some political speech event. They appear to me to be nothing but an excuse for drunks to bang bongos on the beach. I couldn't wait to get the fuck out of there.