Protesters continue to speak out against excessive force

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- For the last few weeks, protesters speaking out against police shootings and excessive force has become a familiar site outside the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters in downtown Los Angeles.

These demonstrations were sparked by a grand jury's decision in Ferguson, Missouri and a grand jury's decision in New York.

At the demonstrations, protesters chanted, "I can't breathe," in reference to Eric Garner, the black man who died after a confrontation with the New York Police Department. As in the Michael Brown case, a grand jury in New York decided not to indict the officer who placed Garner in a chokehold.

"I think all of us who are here are so upset by what has gone on," said Pasadena resident Shauna Bigby.

As in previous protests, the demonstrators marched through downtown L.A., but in a much smaller group of about 60 people.

On the airwaves, 27th District Congresswoman Judy Chu took to talk radio to discuss the Garner case. The California Democrat is calling for congressional hearings.

"I think the nation is stunned by the deaths of these young men at the hand of the police and it raises so many questions about what is going on with regard to police practices," Chu said.

Talk show host Earl Ofari Hutchinson said congressional hearings are a step in the right direction.

"It is the voice of the people, and the people are speaking out. Congress must be involved," he said.