LAPD cancels tactical alert for pro-Palestinian protest encampment outside City Hall

A growing number of tents and pro-Palestinian protesters outside Los Angeles City Hall Monday night led to a Los Angeles Police Department tactical alert that was later canceled. 

About 20 tents could be seen lining the sidewalks outside of the building at the intersection of Main Street and 1st Street beginning late Monday afternoon. Several had Palestinian flags and phrases like "Free Palestine" and "Free Gaza" painted on the side. 

It's unclear exactly how many people were actually camping out in the tents. But more people arrived later into the night, leading to an LAPD tactical alert. 

Law enforcement agencies issue such alerts when an event is expected to grow and requires a heavier police response, calling on as many officers to be readily available as possible. 

LAPD canceled the alert just after 2 a.m.

Earlier, SkyCal flew over the scene of the encampment, where protesters waving flags and holding signs could be spotted. 

At about 9:30 p.m., LAPD's Central Division tweeted: "There is a non-permitted demonstration occurring in the Civic Center portion of DTLA. Please use caution in the area due to people in the roadway."

Dozens of people were gathered at the corner of the intersection, where an inflatable movie screen and projector were set up. Some of the people could be seen standing in lanes of the street. 

Across the street, LAPD officers were reportedly putting up barriers outside of their headquarters.