July 29, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Westside Restaurant Owner Alleges Excessive Force by LAPD in New Civil Rights Lawsuit

Arrest Occurred After Business Owner Attempted to Make a Misconduct Complaint

The co-owner of a well-known café in South Los Angeles has filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department, alleging that two officers used excessive force and unlawfully arrested him after he attempted to file a complaint against another officer.

Joe Ward-Wallace, who co-founded South LA Café, announced the legal action during a press conference on Friday alongside his attorney, Christian Contreras. The incident at the center of the lawsuit occurred over a year ago, on April 11, 2024.

According to Ward-Wallace, the confrontation began when he approached LAPD officers in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven near his business. He said he intended to raise concerns about an officer he had seen driving recklessly through the neighborhood, behavior he claimed nearly caused an accident.

Instead of receiving his complaint, Ward-Wallace alleges that two other officers at the scene assaulted him and arrested him on suspicion of assaulting a police officer. He was held without bail for five days before being released, and the charges against him were later dropped.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI_ltvqJB6-/?hl=en

Contreras said his client was placed in solitary confinement during his detention and was subjected to unsanitary conditions, including being served meals containing cockroaches. 

Ward-Wallace had never been arrested and jailed before in his life, and is well known in the community for his good deeds to support people in need, especially during the pandemic, and for his friendly demeanor. 

Ward-Wallace and his wife, Celia, opened their café in the aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles uprising that followed the police beating of Rodney King. At Friday’s press conference, Celia Ward-Wallace drew a connection between the past and present.

“Thirty-three years later, this week,” she said, “it’s still happening.” A social media post to the cafe’s account stated, “This is America. When they harm one of us, they harm all of us. South Central is standing strong — and the truth will not be silenced…This isn’t just about one man — it’s about dismantling a system built on violence and injustice. We are standing for dignity, safety, and freedom.”

The LAPD has not publicly responded to the allegations.

Related Posts

Second Grenade Still Missing After Blast That Killed Three LA Sheriff’s Detectives

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Only One Grenade Exploded; The Second Device Has Vanished Authorities said Friday that one of two grenades recovered last week...

Tesla Diner Draws Protests as Musk Faces Backlash and Falling Sales

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Activists Target Musk’s Hollywood Diner, Speak of His Anti-Trans Views Demonstrators gathered outside Elon Musk’s newly opened Tesla Diner over...

Felony Charges Dropped for Man in UCLA Encampment Attack After Diversion Deal

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Malachi Marlan-Librett Must Complete Therapy, Anti-bias Training in Hate Crime Case The only person charged with a felony in connection...

Homecare Company Celebrates 14 years of Compassion While Planting New Roots After January Fire

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Luxe Homecare, a leading provider of compassionate and reliable in-home care services for seniors has recently announced the opening of...

Wallis Annenberg, Visionary Philanthropist and Civic Leader, Dies at 86

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Philanthropist Expanded Foundation’s Reach From Arts to Conservation Wallis Annenberg, a prominent philanthropist and longtime leader of the Annenberg Foundation,...

Award-Winning Beverly Hills Villa Lists for $39.9 Million in Celebrity-Filled Enclave

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Limestone Showpiece Hits Market in the Flats, From Acclaimed Architect Tucked in the heart of Beverly Hills Flats, a limestone-clad...

More Than $50 Billion in Damage: What January’s Wildfire Cost the City of Los Angeles

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Nearly 11,000 Properties, Many in Pacific Palisades, Affected; True Losses Likely Higher Nearly $52 billion in residential real estate across...

(Video) A Plus Tree: A Steward of Urban Forest Management Across Los Angeles

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

For More Information, Go to Aplustree.com A Plus Tree: A Steward of Urban Forest Management Across Los Angeles For More...

Gay Venezuelan Asylum Seeker Describes Abuse After U.S. Deportation to El Salvador’s Infamous Prison

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Andry Hernández, Sent to CECOT Without Due Process, Tells of Sexual Assault and Torture After four months inside El Salvador’s...

The Third Place Reinvented: Why Kavahana Is Becoming LA’s New Favorite Hangout Spot

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

In a city full of coffee shops that close too early and bars that don’t cater to the sober (or...

Avocet Playa Vista: Your New Luxury Retirement Experience

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

A wealth of high-end amenities, gourmet cuisine, mind-body programs and stimulating cultural events, centered around a luxury lifestyle retirement experience...

Broadway Star and Singer Adam Lambert Sells Glam Hollywood Hills Home for $6.2 Million

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Lambert Unloads Customized Estate With Infinity Pool, Motor Court Singer and Broadway performer Adam Lambert has sold his custom-upgraded Hollywood...

In Your Time of Need, Woodlawn Cemetery is Available

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

By Susan Payne  For over 125 years, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary, wholly owned and operated by the city of...

Going for the throat

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Coach Bill Schuman expects protégé Golda Zahra to hold back nothing  By Linda Chase World famous competitors hire special coaches...

Unmasking ICE: Senators Push for Visible IDs After Secretive LA Immigration Raids

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bill Requires Federal Agents to Display Visible Identification During Raids U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on...