A protester was arrested during a Los Angeles City Council meeting for allegedly slamming a door in the face of an LAPD officer.

The May 5 incident occurred after Councilman Kevin de Leon gave a cinco de mayo presentation and protesters began to shout in his direction.

Voices could be heard yelling, “f—k you, KDL,” leading to City Council President Paul Krekorian asking security to remove those disrupting the council meeting.

“Whoever is shouting, I want them removed right now,” Krekorian said during the meeting disruption.

LAPD identified the arrested man as Samson Tafolo, 30, and said he “refused” to leave the chamber, before he and a group eventually left. LAPD alleges that upon leaving, Tafolo slammed the door on an LAPD security services sergeant. The sergeant was treated on-scene by Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, but the alleged injuries did not require him to be taken to a hospital.

As LAPD booked Tafolo, they allegedly found a “dagger” disguised as a pink hair comb in his possesion.

Tafolo was arrested for battery on a police officer and disturbing a public meeting, but was later released on his own recognizance.

Allies of Tafolo said he was attending the meeting to speak against a robotic dog that LAPD is attempting to get approved by the city council.

The robotic dog has been a subject of protest, as has been de Leon since his involvement in the 2022 racist leaked tapes that shook the city council.

Protesters have voiced their displeasure with de Leon since he returned to the council with plans to finish his term through 2024.

Tafolo has a scheduled arraignment for June 6.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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