April 30, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Civil Rights Activists Demand Investigation of California Highway Patrol Violent Arrest

 

There has been controversy surrounding the CHP beating a woman on the 10 Freeway.
There has been controversy surrounding the CHP beating a woman on the 10 Freeway.

Civil rights activists called today for the U.S. Attorney’s Office to investigate a California Highway Patrol officer’s violent arrest of a homeless woman who was seen on cell phone video being repeatedly punched after being caught walking barefoot along the Santa Monica (10) Freeway.

The video, shot by a motorist on July 1, shows the officer atop Marlene Pinnock, delivering at least nine blows to the 51-year-old woman’s head.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson of the Los Angeles Urban Roundtable said it was a conflict of interest to have the state Attorney General’s Office investigate the arrest, because it would be one state agency investigating another.

Pinnock’s daughter, Maisha Allums, joined Danny Bakewell, publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel, and other activists at news conference calling for an independent federal investigation.

Pinnock, who remains hospitalized, was put on a 72-hour psychiatric hold — something available to law enforcement officers when a person appears to be danger to themselves or others — and held involuntarily for a mental evaluation following her arrest.

Attorneys and one of Pinnock’s daughters claimed family members were unable to find Pinnock for five days after her arrest, because she was signed in at a hospital under an alias.

Several CHP officials, including Commissioner Joe Farrow, have met with family members and activists since the arrest, but Bakewell complained that CHP officials were not forthcoming with information.

“We don’t know the name of the officer. We don’t know the whereabouts of the officer. He’s been taken completely out of circulation, and that is not right,” Bakewell said. “This is our sister … and next week we want to make sure it’s not us.”

Allums said her mother had a number of bumps and bruises and was scheduled to undergo an MRI scan this afternoon.

At 2:30 p.m., attorneys for Pinnock plan to further discuss the case outside the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital Mental Health Facility at 1720 E. 120th St., where Pinnock is being treated.

The arrest occurred along eastbound lanes of the 10 Freeway near the La Brea Avenue offramp. Pinnock was walking barefoot along the shoulder and occasionally in traffic lanes, according to the CHP. When Pinnock did not respond to orders to stop, the officer got out and confronted her. The woman became combative, prompting the officer to place her under arrest, CHP officials said.

About the time the officer stopped punching Pinnock, an off-duty law enforcement officer showed up and helped handcuff Pinnock.

Pinnock, a mother of two who has fallen on hard times, apparently had been living under the freeway in the area from some time. According to published reports, she has been arrested more than a dozen times since 2008.

Related Posts

A vocal flower blooms in Beverly Canon Gardens

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

Soprano Golda Zahra comes home to put on a free concert in her old neighborhood “Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa…” The young couple was...

Geffen Playhouse Announces New Season Packed With Premieres and Powerful Voices

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

Season to Feature World Premieres, West Coast Debuts and Acclaimed Artists The Geffen Playhouse unveiled its 2025–26 season lineup, featuring...

Culver City Baseball and Softball Teams Gear Up for Crucial Santa Monica Matchups

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

Centaur Baseball Seeks Revenge After Last Year’s Setback Against Santa Monica Culver City High School’s varsity, junior varsity, and softball...

LA City Council Set to Dissect Proposed Budget in High-Stakes Tuesday Hearing

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Formal Deliberations Begin Following Passionate Comments From Residents The Los Angeles City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee will begin its...

Kids Learn Season of Science, Biomimicry in Heal the Bay Science Camp

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

This summer, kids have the opportunity to engage in science in Heal the Bay’s Aquarium Summer Science Camp.  Heal the...

Century City Couple Honored at Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Gala That Raised $1 Million

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Skirball Center Hosts Starry Night of Music, Philanthropy, and Community Recognition Century City residents and philanthropists Sandy and Pat Gage...

Los Angeles Residents Accused of Defrauding FEMA After Devastating Wildfires

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Defendants Faked Damage and Residency to Illegally Collect FEMA Aid Five individuals have been arrested on federal charges for allegedly...

Performing Arts Workshops Summer Camp Open for Registration

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Performing Arts Workshops (PAW) has something for everyone this summer. They offer four two-week musical theater camps and eight one-week...

Spring Brewery Artwalk & Open Art Studios

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Where Art Lives. If you’re looking for something fun and different to do, the Brewery Artwalk is holding its Spring...

Culver City Releases New 2025 Wildfire Hazard Maps for Local Neighborhoods

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

City Urges Public to Review Proposed Zone Maps and Submit Feedback Culver City residents can now review updated fire hazard...

Gene Simmons Lists Modern Beverly Hills Home for $14 Million Amid Downsizing

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

Kiss Rocker is Trimming His Real Estate Portfolio, Parting Ways With a Luxury Home Rock legend Gene Simmons is looking...

March Sees Another Dip in Home Sales as Inventory Grows Nationwide

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

Existing-Home Sales Fall, Inventory Builds as Buyers Face Higher Prices Existing-home sales across the United States declined in March, according...

LA City Attorney Drops Charges in Majority of UCLA, USC Protest Arrests

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

Charges Filed Against Edan On, After LA District Attorney Dropped Charges Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced on...

Mayor Issues Emergency Order to Waive Permit Fees for Palisades Residents

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025

City Departments Ordered to Suspend Collection of Fees for Rebuilding Mayor Karen Bass on Friday issued an Emergency Executive Order...

West Hollywood Braces for Controversial Rally, Reaffirms Commitment to Equality

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

City of West Hollywood Condemns Harmful Rhetoric Ahead of Planned Assembly City officials and public safety leaders in West Hollywood are preparing...