ALBUQUERQUE MAYOR RICHARD BERRY SAYS HE MONITORED THE PROTEST MARCH SUNDAY IN ALBUQUERQUE FOR MOST OF THE DAY. HE SAYS THE TROUBLE BEGAN WHEN SOME PROTESTERS CROSSED THE LINE AND BEGAN DAMAGING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY. BERRY SAYS IT APPEARS POLICE WERE VERY PROFESSIONAL IN THEIR RESPONSE AND SHOWED RESTRAINT. HE SAYS HE SPOKE WITH ONE OFFICER WHO TOLD HIM SOMEONE SPIT IN HIS FACE AND ANOTHER HIT HIM ON THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH WHAT HE BELIEVED WAS A ROCK.
BERRY SAYS THE FACT THERE WERE FEW ARRESTS AND NO INJURIES TO PROTESTERS SHOWED HOW THE SITUATION WAS CAREFULLY DIFFUSED . THE PROTEST WAS IN OPPOSITION TO APD'S USE OF FORCE AND RECENT FATAL OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS.
