Crowds Take To Santa Monica Streets Amid Anger Over The Death Of George Floyd

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA) -- Protesters marched throughout Santa Monica on Sunday afternoon, demanding justice in the deadly arrest of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Groups were marching with signs that read "Black Lives Matter" and "No Justice, No Peace."

For complete coverage of the situation in Minneapolis visit CBSMinnesota.com and stream CBSN Minnesota. 

The protest began just after 12 p.m. and was largely peaceful, but as of 2 p.m., smaller, separate groups of people were seen looting stores on the Third Street Promenade and 4th Street.

Many were seen running from the Vans store with merchandise in their hands.

Later, groups were seen smashing windows and trying to break into the Santa Monica Courthouse.

Multiple fires continued to burn after 6 p.m. and several police cruisers were defaced but as of 7 p.m., police reported that they had since been extinguished.

The Santa Monica Fire Department said that there were four structure fires, four car fires and one dumpster fire, as of 7:15 p.m.

CBSLA reporter Cristy Fajardo on the scene reported that bags of feces were also thrown at police.

The city of Santa Monica imposed a citywide curfew that took effect at 4 p.m. Sunday through 5:30 a.m. Monday. Emergency responders are exempt, as are those traveling to and from work or seeking or giving emergency care.

Police said they will be making arrests throughout the night for people caught engaging in criminal activity and breaking the curfew.

The National Guard was en route to Santa Monica on Sunday night, according to Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tem Terry O'Day.

During a press conference, officials urged residents to only call 911 for life-threatening emergency amid the large response from the police department being dispatched across the city in response to the growing unrest.