Demonstrators Shut Down ‘Coffee With a Cop’ Event in Pasadena

A planned “Coffee With a Cop” community meeting was cut short Tuesday after a group of demonstrators disrupted the gathering, police said.

The meeting between police and community members was scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Starbucks at Fair Oaks Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard.

A crowd of 15 to 20 protests showed up and began yelling and chanting at officers, Pasadena police Lt. William Grisafe said.

Some of the demonstrators carried cans of soup — a reference to a comment previously made by President Trump accusing demonstrators of using soup cans as weapons. Some feigned throwing motions with the cans, but no items were hurled, Grisafe said.

Police have completely ended the “Coffee With Cops” – it was supposed to be a community dialogue but they began packing up as soon as activists offered them soup and wanted to discuss the #anthonymcclain vigil.#blm #protest #pasadena #soup #PoliceBrutality #police #soupsongs pic.twitter.com/x2mbT8CdDY

— Sean Carmitchel (@ACatWithNews) October 27, 2020

Warning: Above Twitter video contains profanity.

Video footage posted to Twitter showed demonstrators taunting police officers and volunteers.

Due to the disruption, officials decided to end the event early at 11:30 a.m., he said.

Grisafe added that it was unfortunate that while some community members wanted to engage police in a meaningful conversation, the disruption by the demonstrators would not allow it.

The city has been the site of numerous protests since the fatal Aug. 15 police shooting of 32-year-old Anthony McClain following a traffic stop in Pasadena.

Police said he drew a gun from his waistband while running from officers. Attorneys representing family members in wrongful death claims have disputed that account.