Powell Party Moved To D.C.

The welcome home party for former Los Angeles Police officer Laurence M. Powell that had been canceled in Los Angeles amid controversy has been rescheduled for next week in Washington, D.C.. Powell, convicted of violating the civil rights of Rodney G. King, is using the occasion to try to add to his legal defense fund.

Powell’s original fete - scheduled for the day of his release from federal custody in December - was canceled at the last minute when the nonprofit group that had intended to host the gathering at the Los Angeles Police Academy backed out amid criticism by city officials.

Instead, Powell’s legal defense fund has rescheduled the fete for next Thursday in Washington, allowing him to attend his dinner and hear next week’s oral arguments in the Supreme Court case involving Powell and his colleague, former Los Angeles Police Sgt. Stacey C. Koon, who both were seen beating motorist King on a widely televised videotape.

The only problem, Powell points out in a fund-raising letter circulated among conservative activists, is that his bank account is empty and he has no way to get to Washington.