Published on March 05, 2025
Statement regarding the Tuesday, March 4 pepper spray attack against peaceful demonstrators:
“The City of Lakewood strongly condemns the pepper spray attack by an unknown individual against peaceful demonstrators yesterday along Clark Avenue near Lakewood City Hall,” said Mayor Todd Rogers. “The demonstrators, many of whom were senior citizens, were gathered on the sidewalk and exercising their First Amendment right to peacefully protest when a red vehicle drove alongside the group and a man used pepper spray against several of them. The Lakewood Sheriff’s Station has taken a report of the incident and will be investigating this crime, analyzing video footage to identify the vehicle and find the criminal suspect.
“The City of Lakewood believes strongly in the enshrined American right to peacefully assemble and protest. This is not a partisan issue. This is a fundamental right of every American.”