Protesters angry over Donald J. Trump’s election as president marched in downtown Los Angeles early Thursday and shut down portions of the Hollywood (101) Freeway, while in Orange County, police broke up a demonstration that included participants hurling objects at officers.
Thirty people out of hundreds were taken into custody in Los Angeles and in some cases, force was used, said Officer Tony Im of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section.
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti responded to the Los Angeles protests by saying that they’re understandable, maybe even healthy for people unhappy with the election results, but must be peaceful.
In Santa Ana, police worked to tame a crowd that dispersed shortly before 1:30 a.m. Thursday following violent protests that produced no reports of injuries.
A boisterous crowd, which reached about 650 people at its height, gathered around 7 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Bristol Street and McFadden Avenue, said Santa Ana police Sgt. Carol Salvatierra. Demonstrators threw bottles, rocks and fireworks at officers, she said, and at least one police squad car was vandalized. Police formed scrimmage lines and used other tactics to tame the crowd.
Ten people, three of whom were juveniles, were arrested on suspicion of a range of crimes including assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, disorderly conduct, malicious damage to property and curfew violations, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.
Four police cars were damaged and a 7-Eleven store’s front windows were smashed, Bertagna said. Some protesters jumped up on the roofs of squad cars and “stomped” on them, Bertagna said.
About 165 officers, many of whom were called in from neighboring jurisdictions, responded to the protest, Bertagna said.
One protester sprayed painted an expletive directed at Santa Ana police on an Orange County Sheriff’s Department van, Bertagna said.
Rusty Kennedy, the executive director of the OC Human Relations Commission, decried such violence.
“The individuals who would throw bricks at police in situations like this are acting out in ways that are inappropriate in a democratic society,” Kennedy said. “There are many people who are upset, afraid, and angry right now but I don’t think that warrants attacking police officers who have a simple responsibility to keep the peace.”
The violent protesters represent a minority of dissenters, Kennedy said.
“We have a small group of people who act in this violent and inappropriate way who are on the fringes,” Kennedy said. “They seek opportunities when people are afraid to perpetrate their violence.”
There have not been any racially motivated attacks related to the election result in Orange County so far, Kennedy said. But Kennedy added a Muslim man at a community luncheon on Wednesday said he and other Muslims have been receiving hateful Tweets since Trump won the election.
In Los Angeles, officers were in full riot gear as they walked protesters off the freeway this morning in what was otherwise a peaceful demonstration, LAPD Public Information Director Josh Rubenstein said. By 1:30 a.m., the freeway was clear of demonstrators but lanes were closed for cleanup and reopened about 3:45 a.m.
Demonstrators were cleared from the downtown area shortly before 3 a.m.
With the exception of some protesters throwing rocks at officers and vandalizing portions of the freeway, Rubenstein said the protest had been non- violent.
“The minute you start throwing rocks and the minute you start blocking freeways, that’s where things start to ratchet up,” Rubenstein said. “At the height of the crowd there were thousands but it’s certainly dispersed a whole bunch by now.”
Officers were working to keep protesters off the freeway, which became a difficult task as the large group continued to break up into smaller groups.
“We’re here to protect everybody’s right to free speech but not when it impedes everyone else and not when it puts people in harm’s way,” Rubenstein said.
The rally and march in Los Angeles began about 7 p.m. Wednesday outside city hall, drawing an ethnically diverse crowd of more than 5,000, many of whom appeared to be high school and college age.
More than 300 youthful-looking demonstrators earlier rallied outside City Hall before marching to LAPD headquarters and then on toward Staples Center.
Some protesters chanted “Not my president,” and at least one had a sign that stated: “Trump Equals Death.” Other signs read “Epic Fail,” “Rapist President” and “Artists Against Trump.”
While some of the signs and chants contained expletives, the protests were noisy but initially peaceful, and appeared to be growing as the day wore on.
Some motorists honked their horns when they saw the crowds. Helicopters hovered overhead as law enforcement officers controlled traffic and watched for signs of trouble.
“One of our greatest privileges as Americans is the right to free expression,” Garcetti said in a statement Thursday.
“Last night, thousands of Angelenos came together publicly to make their feelings known. I understand that the results of Tuesday’s election are painful for many of us, and this kind of engagement can be a meaningful part of the healing we need after such a long and divisive campaign. But walking and throwing objects onto freeways is dangerous for pedestrians and drivers — and it puts a heavy burden on people just trying make it home to their families or get to work safely.
I am proud that the demonstrations in Los Angeles have been mostly lawful and peaceful, and that our officers are working with demonstrators to keep people out of harm’s way,” Garcetti said. “Protests can, should and must proceed in that spirit and I urge everyone to look out for their fellow Angelenos and put safety first,” Garcetti said.
—City News Service