Police declare ‘unlawful assembly’ at downtown L.A. protest, use tear gas to disperse crowds
On Saturday evening, police declared an unlawful assembly and issued a dispersal order for a small portion of downtown Los Angeles next to the Metropolitan Detention Center, where demonstrators from the “No Kings Day” protests had gathered.
There were tense clashes between police and crowds in the area of Alameda Avenue and Aliso Street, with demonstrators accusing law enforcement of increasing tensions due to ongoing tensions from peaceful daytime rallies.
“A dispersal order has been issued for the Alameda area between Aliso and Temple… Everyone in Alameda and the Aliso/Commercial area is required to leave the area,” the Los Angeles Police Department posted on social media at 6:55 p.m. “Everyone in the area has 15 minutes to comply. If you remain in the area you may be subject to arrest or other police action.”
The daily protests, which drew large crowds in Southern California and across the country, included harsh criticism of President Trump’s actions on transgender rights, foreign policy, the federal government shutdown, college funding and other issues. Protesters have also taken up pressure from the White House to deport immigrants to the United States without legal authorization by carrying out raids in US cities, including Los Angeles. The Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal facility, has become a focal point for anti-ICE sentiment.
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On Saturday, tensions escalated around 7 p.m. when the LAPD declared the unlawful assembly and began cracking down on a number of protesters outside the facility. Police fired multiple non-lethal rounds, used tear gas and brought in a fleet of horses in an attempt to push the crowd back.
By 8:30 p.m., protesters had largely abandoned their stands near the detention center as police attempted to re-establish a line on the street in front of the federal building.
LAPD had not reported any arrests as of 9 p.m.
This story first appeared on: Los Angeles Times.
