By Nathaniel Percy
Source Los Angeles Daily News
One arrest was made and nine crime reports were taken during a pair of immigration protests in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday and Monday, while seven Los Angeles police officers suffered minor injuries, Los Angeles police officials said during a Board of Police Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Feb. 4.
On Monday night, 200 demonstrators were detained, but were issued warnings and released.
Officers also deployed eight less-lethal rounds at crowds on Sunday and 16 on Monday, LAPD Deputy Chief Daniel Randolph told the panel.
No injuries to protesters were reported, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said.
The demonstrators called for immigration reform and were protesting against the mass deportations promised under President Donald Trump’s administration.
“The Los Angeles Police Department fully recognizes and respects the rights of individuals to peacefully protest and express their views,” Randolph said. “However, when demonstrations escalate into unlawful behavior, including vandalism, violence and threats to public safety … the department will take decisive actions to restore order.”
An estimated 3,000 protestors gathered downtown and throughout the day Sunday, splintering into smaller groups before reconvening around City Hall and on the 101 Freeway, Randolph said.
An unlawful assembly was declared about 5:20 p.m. when LAPD received a request for help from the California Highway Patrol after its officers were struck by objects being thrown by the crowd, Randolph said. Eventually, two Mobile Field Force teams were deployed, and the crowds were dispersed.
Seven crime reports were taken Sunday, Randolph said, including four for vandalism of police vehicles, one vandalism of an MTA bus, one assault with a deadly weapon and one report of pointing a laser at officers. Some of the vandalized police vehicles sustained slashed tires.
One arrest was made on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, McDonnell said. No details about that case were immediately available.
Protesters reconvened at City Hall about 9 a.m. Monday and by 10:15 a.m., about 600 demonstrators marched in the streets of downtown Los Angeles, Randolph said. Around 12:25 p.m. some protesters allegedly vandalized property along Figueroa Street between Temple Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue and about two hours later, began doing vehicle burnouts and shooting fireworks on Spring Street between Temple and First streets, later prompting a commanding officer to request additional resources.
Around 4:45 p.m., protesters allegedly began throwing objects at officers and dispersal notices went out as officers pushed the group along Main Street back to Cesar Chavez Avenue, Randolph said. A group of about 200 protesters were later detained in a tunnel on Cesar Chavez Avenue, but were released in pairs after being issued warnings.
No arrests were reported from the Monday demonstrations, but officers took one report each of an assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism on a police vehicle, Randolph said.
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