38 arrested in ‘No Kings’ protests in Los Angeles
Law enforcers in riot gear block ‘No Kings Day of Defiance’ demonstrators in downtown Los Angeles. Inquirer.net USA photo by Robert Gamo
LOS ANGELES – Police Sunday said 38 people were arrested during Saturday’s “No Kings” protest in downtown Los Angeles, when tens of thousands of people flooded the area to protest the policies of the Trump administration in one of a series of nationwide demonstrations.
The downtown gathering was the largest of several held throughout Los Angeles County and Orange County, and was largely peaceful until police issued a dispersal order at around 3:45 p.m. for all persons located on Alameda Street south of Aliso and north of Temple.
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A line of officers, some on horseback, were seen driving people from the intersection shortly before 4 p.m. As of about 4:30 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department began using tear gas and less-lethal rounds after some people reportedly started throwing bricks, bottles, rocks and other objects.
‘No Kings Day of Defiance’ demonstrators are blocked by law enforcers in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday. Inquirer.net USA photo by Robert Gamo
Around 5:30 p.m., police officers in riot gear and carrying zip-ties began mobilizing to clear protesters who refused to disperse. Mounted officers were also moving crowds along.
LAPD spokeswoman Officer Rosario Cervantes told City News Service that tear gas was in use, but she was uncertain of the exact area because “it’s fluid right now.”
On Sunday, police said 35 people were arrested for curfew violations, one for failure to disperse, one for resisting, obstructing or delaying a police officer, and one for resisting arrest, according to the department.
Three officers were injured, police added.
Since the daily demonstrations began on June 7 to protest federal immigration raids in the Los Angeles area, the LAPD has arrested 561 people related to protest activity, according to the department. Twelve officers have been injured, police added.
During the downtown Los Angeles march, protesters carried a variety of flags and protest signs including a large balloon figure depicting President Donald Trump as a baby wearing a diaper.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who had urged the crowds to remain lawful, later told KTLA5 that most of Saturday’s demonstrators followed that advice.
“Sometimes people who aren’t even a part of the main protest hang around, and then that’s where you can have trouble,” she told the station as an 8 p.m. curfew when into effect. “I think that is happening off and on right now, but I do think at the end of the day, this will have been a successful, peaceful day.”
Local officials went to great lengths to ensure the peace Saturday. Bass said public safety agencies “pre deployed and pre-positioned” in preparation for the demonstrations, and the Los Angeles Fire Department kept Friday night’s shift on call and deployed special medical assistance teams to the area.
The California Highway Patrol also provided enhanced support, and the city’s Emergency Operations Center coordinated logistics.
The mayor earlier said the nightly 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew covering a one-square-mile section of downtown Los Angeles would remain in place indefinitely.
After the curfew began Saturday night, some demonstrators lingered and marched southbound on Broadway toward Sixth Street.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell told NBC4 officers were enforcing the curfew. He said rocks, bottles and commercial grade fireworks were thrown at officers by so-called “agitators” and seven officers were injured, but none seriously.
The curfew affects a portion downtown between the Golden State (5) and Harbor (110) freeways, and from the Santa Monica (10) Freeway to where the Arroyo Seco (110) Parkway and Golden State Freeway merge. That area includes Skid Row, Chinatown, and the Arts and Fashion districts.
The No Kings protests were meant as a counterpoint to Saturday’s military parade in Washington, D.C. The parade honored the 250th birthday of the US Army. (CNS)
