Central Los Angeles : Man Faces Charges Over Labor Protests

A man who protests at construction sites in South-Central Los Angeles to demand the hiring of blacks has been charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor in connection with his labor activities.

Deacon Alexander faces a maximum six years in jail if convicted of attempted extortion, making terrorist threats and simple battery, said Ellen Aragon, Los Angeles deputy district attorney. A court hearing for Alexander, who pleaded innocent, is scheduled for Sept. 12.

Alexander is accused of threatening to kill white construction workers taking part in the reconstruction of the historic Dunbar Hotel, where he was arrested on June 15. He is also charged with threatening the project’s general contractor unless she hired him as a labor foreman, Aragon said.

The third charge stems from an incident in which a contractor was slapped during a “tirade� by Alexander, Aragon said. Alexander remains in jail in lieu of $185,000 bail. His attorney declined comment.