A bloody pig head on a spike was found by Los Angeles Police officers outside of the department’s Rampart Station, a division notorious for its late-90s corruption and police brutality scandals. It is currently unclear who placed the head at the station or if it was intended as a threat. 

The Pig’s head discovery comes amidst large-scale global protests against police brutality and George Floyd’s death. While Derek Chauvin and the other Minneapolis officers involved have been fired and charged, protesters are demanding further reforms to law enforcement practices and the American criminal justice system, as Floyd’s family is seeing a surge of financial support and lawmakers are proposing new legislation aimed at eliminating police brutality. 

Given the high tensions surrounding recent protests and numerous documentedincidents of police violence, the LAPD is reportedly approaching the situation extra cautiously, currently reviewing surveillance footage in an attempt to identify the perpetrator. In the meantime, TMZ reports that LAPD officers, under the direction of Chief Michel Moore who recently blamed George Floyd’s death on looters leading to calls for his resignation, have now been advised to maintain a low profile while off duty, in order to avoid further confrontations with the public.

Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, announced his plans along with city officials to make a substantial cut of $100 million-$150 million to the LAPD’s budget in order to reinvest these funds into “Black communities and communities of color.” During a press conference on Wednesday (June 3rd) evening, Mayor Garcetti insisted that, amid the nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, this was an “urgent moment” and  “an inflection point” for the city of Los Angeles. However, he is “committed to making this moment not just a moment.”

“It is time to move our rhetoric towards action to end racism in our city,” he continued. “Prejudice can never be part of police work…It takes bravery to save lives, too.” He then revealed that, contrary to his prior plans, the city would no longer be increasing the police budget from $1.189 billion to the proposed amount of $1.8 billion; instead, he will be cutting between $100 million-$150 million from the LAPD’s budget and a total of $250 million from the city’s overall budget, to be used instead to “reinvest in black communities and communities of color.” He specifically outlined an investment in education, health, and jobs within the city’s Black communities. “We need to make sure that black Americans see an end to the days of murder in broad daylight and of traffic stops simply because of the color of their skin,” he said.

Insecure and How to Get Away with Murder actor Kendrick Sampson has been using his voice to speak on Black Lives Matter and issues pertaining to the black community for years. So, it wasn't surprising that when protests were being organized following the police-involved killing of George Floyd, Kendrick Sampson made sure that he was on the ground and in the crowd among members of his community in solidarity with supporters worldwide. 

Bennett Raglin / Stringer / Getty Images

Last weekend, Kendrick joined marchers in Los Angeles and for those tuned in, he streamed much of his experiences on Instagram Live. There were a few of his fans among the protesters, as well, but instead of approaching the actor for an autograph, they filmed him being beaten by members of the Los Angeles Police Department.

"Glad I y’all witnessed this," he tweeted. "Esp the video of them actually targeting us. He didn’t try to ricochet the bullets of the ground - one tactic - he pointed the gun DIRECTLY AT ME. I actually got hit 7 times with rubber bullets and many with batons. My boy has stitches. #DEFUNDPOLICE."

In a recent op-ed for Variety, Kendrick Sampson detailed his experience and why it's important for him to stand for marginalized communities. "I’m still working through stuff that happened when I was a kid, stuff that happened at Standing Rock four years ago, working through these videos of public Black death, these lynchings that we’ve continued seeing, so I don’t know the scope of the trauma that I experienced Saturday," he wrote. "I feel very strong and I’m really exhausted at the same time. But I also feel a resolve to move forward. I feel like we need to liberate folks and we cannot let up." Check it out below.

This is precisely the reason why people around the world are protesting. Racism must be stopped and the police force needs to be reformed.

A new video has been catching the attention of people on social media who are outraged to even be witnessing such an apparent misuse of power. While the circumstances surrounding the video's origins are unclear, the conclusion is seriously shocking.

The clip shows a group of approximately five or six black teenagers gathered on a street corner before a cop car pulls up on them as they run away. The officers then begin firing rounds of rubber bullets in their direction.

The young kids were not in the middle of a protest -- in fact, many of them are carrying backpacks and skateboards. 

There have been several stories and videos coming out of the protests across the country and many of them have been ridiculously shocking. Watching these clips, you see people in pain, fighting for the countless lives lost from police brutality and racism. In Los Angeles, we shared a story about a store owner that was detained while preventing a nearby shop from being looted. Now, we’re shining a light on another violent incident from a recent protest.

A video is circulating across and several other forum-type sites, showing a group of peaceful protestors being attacked by LAPD officers with their batons. People appear to be gathered calmly before an officer starts shoving the protestors, pulling out his baton and repeatedly smacking them for no apparent reason. 

People can be heard yelling profanities at the cops from afar.

This is just one of many disturbing videos that we are highlighting on Black Out Tuesday. Something needs to change and, until all people are treated equally, the protests will continue.

If you’re looking for ways to help, check out our list of resources. Primary voting is also open in nine states today; consider checking this article and seeing if you’re eligible to vote today.

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Following the tragic police-involved murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, citizens of the city took to the streets. They were protesting against police brutality and were met by swarms of officers who pelted them with rubber bullets and tear gas. As the second day of protests lingers on, some people have taken to looting and destroying property as fears of rioting brewed. Over on the West Coast, Los Angeles has sparked a rebellion of their own, and thousands of people have stormed the busy and ever-popular 101 freeway, halting movement in the downtown area. According to reports, the Los Angeles Police Department has pulled together its tactical unit to descend on the location.

"Peaceful demonstrations are a hallmark of our country. Violence is unwarranted and takes away from the message. I urge all of us to protest peacefully for the sake of everyone’s public safety. -Alex Villanueva, Sheriff of Los Angeles County," the LAPD tweeted on Wednesday (May 27). Local news stations have hovered overhead in their copters, and The Los Angeles Times has stated that at least one patrol vehicle has been vandalized.

People of all ages, colors, creeds, and backgrounds have marched to the Metropolitan Detention Center as they don masks and hold up "Black Lives Matter" signs. We've pulled together a few images and videos being shared on social media, so you can scroll through those below.

This past Saturday (Feb. 15), Drew Carey‘s ex-fiancee, Dr. Amie Harwick was murdered by her ex-boyfriend after he attacked her and caused her to fall from a third-story balcony. The host of The Price is Right and Dr. Harwick originally started dating 2017. In 2018, the two announced their engagement but called it quits within a year of their relationship. 

According to TMZ, the authorities were contacted early Saturday morning after a woman was heard screaming in the Hollywood Hills area. When the law enforcement officials arrived, Harwick’s roommate informed the police that she was being assaulted in their home. Upon entry of the apartment, the authorities discovered Harwick underneath a third-story balcony with injuries consistent with a fall. Dr. Harwick was rushed to the hospital but ultimately passed away from her extensive injuries. 

Evidence gathered by the police, at the scene of the crime suggests that forced entry was used and a struggle ensued within the home. Detectives gathered surveillance footage from the surrounding neighborhood and determined that the suspect was a white male dressed in black. 

Investigators were also informed that Dr. Harwick had growing concerns about an ex-boyfriend of hers that caused her to get a restraining order against him. According to the cops, the restraining order became void approximately two weeks ago and Harwick even came into contact with her ex-lover. 

Eventually, the police were able to locate and arrest Harwick’s ex, Gareth Pursehouse, Saturday afternoon. Pursehouse was charged with murder and is currently awaiting trial.

Upon hearing the news that his ex-fiancee was murdered, The Price is Right shut down production so their host, Drew Carey can mourn. Rest in power, Dr. Amie Harwick. 

Sean Kingston was stopped outside a Dino’s Chicken & Burgers in Los Angeles on Saturday night, after LAPD officers got a call that a male was brandishing a firearm at the fast food establishment. Police arrived at around 8:15pm and searched Sean for possession of a gun. The officers ordered at least one man to the ground before handcuffing Sean and leading him to the squad car. However, he was ultimately released after getting questioned, as law enforcement officials were unable to find anything compromising on his person.

Although this is the LAPD’s official account of the events that transpired, an eyewitness at the scene tells a different story of how things went down. The observer claims that Sean’s car was blocking the exit in the parking lot, making it impossible for anyone to leave the premises. Fellow patrons got irate at Sean, which he returned back at them by throwing ice cubes at the glass windows of the restaurant, creating a loud noise. Whatever the case, Sean remains a free man, which is good news for fans who are looking forward to his collaborative album with former Patriots wide receiver turned rapper, Antonio Brown. The two of them dropped the first single, “Bad Decisions,” off the upcoming album last month.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for The Hollywood Christmas Parade

YG was arrested early Friday morning under what he and his team are framing as questionable pretence. Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies showed up to YG's doorstep with both a search warrant and arrest warrant related to a robbery case. After searching his San Fernando home, the Compton rapper was placed under arrest. "This arrest is one that caught YG completely off guard because there is no truth to them," said YG's lawyer, Joe Tacopina. "YG has no idea what investigators are talking about and we have not been provided with any details ... we are learning about this case through the media."

It has been reported that YG was released on bond on Friday evening, but it has not been revealed yet whether he will be permitted to participate in the Grammy's Nipsey Hussle tribute on Sunday night. Earlier this week, it was announced that YG would be taking the stage alongside John Legend, DJ Khaled, Meek Mill, Roddy Ricch and Kirk Franklin to honour the departed rapper. Since YG's arraignment is only scheduled to occur on Tuesday, it remains unclear whether his arrest will interfere with his ability to perform. 

YG seems to have found himself in further trouble with the law. According to TMZ, the rapper was arrested and booked for robbery after the Los Angeles Sheriff’s County conducted a raid on his San Fernando home. Police said that they arrived at his home at roughly 4 a.m. with a search warrant as well as an arrest warrant related to a robbery case.

Paras Griffin/Getty Images

The rapper’s SUV has been connected to a murder case but it’s unclear if the robbery arrest had anything to do with that case. Reps from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said they’re close to solving the case. However, the rapper’s denied any sort of association to the incident. His escalade was involved in a high-speed pursuit which resulted in a fatal shooting that killed a 65-year-old bystander on a bicycle.

“I was nowhere near the scene of this incident and had been in a recording studio all day in Hollywood. I was there until after midnight on the Fourth of July and didn’t learn of these events until after they happened,” he said to the tabloid website when the news broke.

A few weeks after the shooting in July, a house leased in the Hollywood Hills by YG was raided. The rapper wasn’t at the home at the time of the raid but one person is known to have been arrested. We’ll keep you posted on updates.