Kelly Thomas' Brutal 'Death by Cop' Spurs Protest in Fullerton, Calif

A crowd at least 100 people gathered outside the Fullerton, Calif., police station on Saturday in an otherwise quiet suburb 30 miles south of Los Angeles. Bullhorns were blaring, car horns were honking and the crowd was screaming. When the woman with the bullhorn shrieked, "What do we want?" the crowd yelled back "Justice," when she screamed, "When do we want it," the crowd replied, "Now." This noisy chant went on for hours as they held signs urging passing motorists to honk their horns in solidarity. Many passing drivers were happy to comply as the crowd loudly cheered them as they passed by.

This protest is in response to a brutal police beating of a 37-year-old homeless man, Kelly Thomas, who later died from his injuries. This is the fourth consecutive Saturday protest at the Fullerton Police department. Protesters are calling for the resignation of the police chief, the Mayer and for the arrest and conviction of the six police officers who were involved in the beating. The officers have been placed on a paid leave of absence and an investigation is currently underway.

No police were in sight during the rally despite the fact that it took place in front of a police station. Although a side-street was apparently closed by the police before the rally, there were no police present to direct traffic or for crowd control. Apparently the Fullerton police felt that their presence would provoke the protesters so they stayed away. It turned out to be a peaceful rally. Protesters laid their signs at the entrance to the police station at the conclusion of today's rally.

Ron Thomas, the grieving Father of Kelly Thomas, was present at the rally. Thomas is currently suing the Fullerton Police department for the causing the brutal death of his son. Ron said that the Fullerton Police department offered him a settlement but he refused it saying that small amount that they offered was a joke. Ron Thomas said that he will start a fund to help the homeless with the proceeds of the judgment from his lawsuit against the Fullerton Police Department.