Anti-Trump Protest In Downtown LA Turns Rowdy, Nets 195 Arrests
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Nearly 200 protesters were arrested overnight in downtown Los Angeles, as thousands of Californians continued to protest Donald Trump's election victory.
After midnight Saturday -- as a protest was wrapping up in front of Los Angeles City Hall in Grand Park -- things got rowdy, with reports of rocks being thrown at police officers, and police cars being spray-painted.
"Some of the demonstrators began vandalizing property, blocking main roads, assaulting, and interfering with officers, and refusing to leave when conditions became unsafe," the LAPD said in a news release.
In all, about 195 people were arrested overnight at the protest which drew 3,000 demonstrators. Of those, 187 were adults, and 8, were juveniles.
Despite this, another round of anti-Trump demonstrations were slated to begin at 10 a.m. at MacArthur Park, with protesters expected to march through downtown L.A.
"A message to those individuals that plan to create some havoc and disorder: we will be there, we will effect arrests, and you will go to jail," said Sgt. Frank Preciado of the LAPD.
"Tomorrow, those aren't tactics that we plan on using at all," said Ron Gochez, a protest organizer. "However, we cannot control what thousands of people will do."
Police have asked that those planning on participating in Saturday's march remain peaceful. The demonstration was expected to draw as many as 10,000 people.
