Los Angeles community members who were helping liquor store owners defend the business from apparent looters were handcuffed and detained by police in a moment of confusion on live TV.FOX11 Los Angeles reporter Christina Gonzalez, who was reporting from the city’s Van Nuys district where dozens of looters raided local businesses, captured the scene.
"I was handcuffed, thrown up against a wall with my husband and brother-in-law, and I'm like, 'What the hell?'" Monet, a black woman seen defending the store, later told the station. "The news people are here and telling you, it's not her, she's trying to stop the situation."
A series of clips from the station shows several community members alongside armed store owners in a tense standoff with a group. Gonzalez said the apparent looters seemed to be heading to a store that buys and sells gold next door.
The looters appeared unconnected to a peaceful demonstration in Van Nuys around the same time, protesting the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis, the station reported.
Monet, her husband and brother-in-law were released later after being handcuffed, the station reported.
Monet told FOX11 she has lived in the neighborhood for 37 years and has known the liquor store owner for three decades. When she saw the looting, she said she had to do something.
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"I understand the protest. I understand what this is about. I get it. I understand that -- I'm fighting for the same protest," Monet said. "But we don't want people from other cities to come and tear [apart] where we live because we have to rebuild this. We did this once before. I understand the anger."
Monet said that she also understands tensions remain high across the country, and that police need to respond better in the African American community.
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Police handcuff shop owners who tried to PROTECT their property from looters
