Scattered violence and fist fights broke out Sunday between Palestinian supporters and supporters of Israel in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles, where police in riot gear restored order.
One person was arrested for carrying a “spiked flag,” a prohibited item at a public demonstration, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Tony Im told City News Service.
The confrontation began at 10:52 a.m. Sunday, when Pro-Palestinian demonstrators had gathered in front of the Abas Torah synagogue at 9040 W. Pico Blvd., west of Robertson Boulevard, and were met with counter-demonstrators, some carrying Israeli flags, Im told City News Service.
Heated verbal confrontations grew physical shortly thereafter, with several scuffles occurring in streets throughout the neighborhood. Video from the scene showed punches being thrown and some people wielding the handles of protest signs as weapons. Police responded in riot gear.
Im said there were no immediate reports of any injuries or arrests, but video appeared to show at least two pro-Palestinian demonstrators taken from an SUV and detained near Pico and Wetherly Drive, with an LAPD officer removing a small child from the back seat.