July 30, 2012

At least nine people have been arrested by Orange County Police as they pushed protesters back during a street rally in outrage over the recent officer-involved shootings that left two locals dead.

More than 200 people have gathered outside Anaheim police headquarters chanting slogans condemning the police and taking over a parking lot, where they drew outlines of bodies.

"The whole system is guilty" and "Am I next?" the angry crowds were chanting in rage, says the LA Times.

The assembly then began marching toward Disneyland, but 50 police officers in riot gear and about two dozen officers on horseback prevented their movement toward the theme park.

The crowd was chanting, "Why can't we go to Disneyland? You're protecting the city, not your people," sites the Orange County Register.

One eyewitness tweeted, “The pics from Anaheim are disgusting, how much firepower does one need against unarmed civilians?”

But many of the demonstrators came from outside Anaheim and were part of the Occupy movement, reports local media.

Some of those arrested have already been released.

For those in custody, “APD are trying to trump up charges because man arrested tweeted while in cuffs ” tweets Orange County reporter, Amber Stephens.

Organizers of the rally and family members of those killed by the officers had earlier voiced their request for a peaceful demonstration in an effort to avoid a repeat of Tuesday's events.

On July 24, police used rubber bullets to disperse a 1,000-strong crowd who threw rocks and bricks at the police. By the end of the night at least seven people were injured, 24 arrests made and 20 buildings damaged.

This month, police fatally shot two men in Anaheim: Manuel Diaz on July 21 and Joel Acevedo on July 22. Authorities said that Diaz, 25, who was unarmed, was resisting arrest and that Acevedo, 21, had fired a weapon at officers during a chase.

Authorities are investigating the fatalities to determine if civil rights infringement investigations are warranted.

Jonathan Gibby/Getty Images/AFP

Protesters march through the streets during a demonstration to show outrage for the several recent office involved shootings on July 29, 2012 in Anaheim, California. (Jonathan Gibby/Getty Images/AFP)

Jonathan Gibby/Getty Images/AFP

An Orange County Police Officer pushes a protester back during protests to show outrage for the several recent officer involved shootings on July 29, 2012 in Anaheim, California. (Jonathan Gibby/Getty Images/AFP)

Protesters shout at Orange County Police Officers during a demonstration to show outrage for the several recent officer involved shootings on July 29, 2012 in Anaheim, California. (Jonathan Gibby/Getty Images/AFP)