Protestors tossed from council meeting

DOWNEY - Half a dozen friends and family members of Michael Nida, the South Gate man fatally shot by Downey police last October, were ejected from Tuesday's city council meeting after heckling a speaker who spoke in defense of police.Audience members shouted profanities at homeless resident Greta Campbell, who spoke during the public comment portion of Tuesday's meeting. Nida, who was unarmed, was shot by Downey police last October after he ran from officers who were investigating an ATM robbery near Paramount Boulevard and Imperial Highway. Supporters of Nida have protested each council meeting since, calling for an impartial investigation and increased training for Downey police officers. On Tuesday, relatives of Nida chided city officials for the length of the Sheriff's Department's investigation. They also accused council members of showing no remorse for the shooting. Campbell defended the investigation and Downey police officers before being shouted down by protestors. Mayor Roger Brossmer had about six protestors escorted out of the council chamber. In Downey, members of the public are allowed five minutes to address the council on any item not listed on the meeting's agenda. The mayor, however, reserves the right to eject speakers who use profane language or are otherwise disorderly.

********** Published: April 26, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 02