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In a sometimes tense dress rehearsal for the kind of confrontations that may occur during the upcoming Democratic National Convention, about 400 union workers faced off against riot police Thursday during a protest march in downtown Los Angeles.
The march, organized by the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union Local 11 to protest conditions at the nonunion New Otani Hotel, drew about 200 Los Angeles police officers to the hotel at 1st and Los Angeles streets. Many were on horseback and all were dressed in riot gear.
Intended by union organizers as a revival of old grievances against New Otani, the demonstration served as a statement from both sides.
Quick and aggressive, police revealed a polished response plan to large protests; loud and well-organized, the marchers demonstrated their increasing strength and sophistication as the convention approaches.
"I hadn't realized it until it started, but this really is a preview of coming distractions," said David Koff, spokesman for the hotel union. "I've seen how police have responded to our protests for years and they're getting better at this. But we're getting better, too."
As they had...