Protesters shut down freeway in downtown LA over Floyd killing
LOS ANGELES — Marking a third day of protest in California over the killing of George Floyd, demonstrators blocked the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles Friday night.
Marchers moved through downtown Los Angeles and into the Staples Center area earlier in the evening, chanted, “I can’t breathe” and “No justice, no peace.” Then some members of the group went onto an onramp to the 110 and blocked northbound traffic, waving signs and chanting at stopped motorists.
TV footage from KTLA-TV showed Los Angeles Police Department officers clashing with some protesters who allegedly vandalized a patrol car.
An LAPD spokesman has confirmed one officer was injured in a scuffle near Pershing Square and is currently receiving medical treatment. No arrests had been announced as of 7:30 p.m. Pacific time.
Hours earlier, protesters in San Jose temporarily shutdown the 101 Freeway.
The killing of Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck earlier this week, has sparked protests across the country, including two in downtown Los Angeles. On Wednesday night, demonstrators briefly shutdown the 101 in the L.A. Civic Center.
On Friday, hundreds of demonstrators began marching at San Jose City Hall before running onto the 101 Freeway at Santa Clara Street. They briefly blocked freeway traffic before returning to downtown San Jose.
One police officer is believed to have been injured, having been knocked unconscious, and several arrests have made according to local reports, though San Jose police have yet to respond to calls or an email from the Los Angeles Times.
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said Friday he understood the anger but urged peaceful protests.
“Anger and peaceful protest will always be appropriate responses to injustice; violence will never be,” tweeted Liccardo on Friday afternoon. “San Jose is united in outrage over the atrocious crime committed in Minneapolis and in sadness over George Floyd’s horrible death.”
He added, “SJPD will take a measured approach in facilitating peaceful protest, but there will be no tolerance of violence to our people or damage to our city.”
Marchers also returned Friday to downtown Los Angeles for a third day of demonstrations with 100 walking down Seventh and Olympic around 5:50 p.m. with a police presence around. Though there were a few small skirmishes, no arrests were reported.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore tweeted, “In response to recent demonstrations, we stand with our community and rebuke any instance of police brutality. No one despises a bad cop more than a good cop.”
He added, “However, as we continue to facilitate spontaneous and planned protests, violence or property damage has no place here in LA.”
Nine people were arrested Thursday night at a Fontana protest.
That event, which started in the 8400 block of Sierra Avenue about 6 p.m., initially involved about 50 demonstrators but grew to include about 100, police said in a news release.