By City News Service Apr 1, 2021 LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Two Los Angeles councilmen today introduced a motion requesting a report from the Los Angeles Police Department on officers' detention of journalists during demonstrations last week in Echo Park and the department's broader conduct toward journalists. “The right of a free press to cover demonstrations, political protest and police activity is essential to a functioning democracy and must be preserved,'' Councilmen Mike Bonin and Kevin de Leon said in the motion, which was seconded by Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. The motion cites the detention of several journalists, including the Los Angeles Times' James Queally and Spectrum News 1's Kate Cagle, after they identified themselves and showed press credentials while reporting on the demonstrations at Echo Park Lake last Thursday.