In brief: Hundreds protest proposed Wal-Mart

Los Angeles – Hundreds of people marched Saturday through the streets of Chinatown in Los Angeles to protest against Wal-Mart’s plans to open a store in the neighborhood.

The colorful event included lion dancers, bicyclists and a rally under Chinatown’s dragon gates, headlined by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello.

Many said they came to protest against the proposed store while others said they came to decry what they said were Wal-Mart’s low wages and union-busting attempts.

“This historic neighborhood will be utterly gutted if Wal-Mart comes here,” Morello said about the prospects of the retail giant driving smaller stores in Chinatown out of business.

Wal-Mart began construction last week with plans to open the store next year. The proposed store is what the company calls a “neighborhood market,” one that is about a fifth the size of a supercenter and typically carries groceries, fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, deli foods, stationery and dry goods.

Sharpton delivers eulogy for King

Los Angeles – Rodney King was remembered in Los Angeles on Saturday as a forgiving man who bore the scars of his infamous beating with dignity.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who delivered the eulogy at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, said before the funeral that King never showed bitterness to the officers who beat him.

“People should not be judged by the mistakes that they make, but by how they rise above them,” Sharpton said outside the Hall of Freedom at the sprawling cemetery grounds. “Rodney had risen above his mistakes. He never mocked anyone – not the police, not the justice system, not anyone.”

The funeral came nearly two weeks after King was found dead at the bottom of the swimming pool at his Rialto, Calif., home. He was 47.

King became famous after his beating by Los Angeles police in 1991 was captured on videotape and broadcast worldwide, as were photos of his bloodied and bruised face.

Fifteen cattle killed eating toxic grass

Dallas – Experts are investigating the deaths of 15 cattle in Central Texas that were grazing on toxic grass this spring.

The deaths on Jerry Abel’s ranch northeast of Austin represent the first documented case of cyanide deaths being linked to a common Bermuda grass hybrid found in grazing lands across the southern United States.

State agriculture experts have spent the past month ensuring the problem is isolated and assuring ranchers there’s no cause for alarm.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service said it’s still not sure what caused the cyanide to build up in the Tifton 85 grass.

But it recommends ranchers wait seven to 10 days after new growth before sending cattle to graze. That allows the grass time to release the cyanide into the atmosphere.