LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Some of the protesters demonstrating against police brutality and demanding justice for George Floyd shattered the windows of two California Highway Patrol cruisers on the Hollywood (101) Freeway in downtown Los Angeles today.
The mostly peaceful protest, which started about 4 p.m. outside the Hall of Justice turned violent about 6 p.m., when hundreds of protesters entered the Hollywood Freeway, near Alameda Street, and some demonstrators shattered the windows of two CHP cruisers.
One demonstrator, who was sitting on a cruiser while its windows were being shattered, was injured by falling onto the ground when the cruiser sped off to avoid further damage. Personnel with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to take the victim to a hospital.
The protest was organized by Black Lives Matter's Los Angeles chapter to demand justice for Floyd, who was killed Monday at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, and to demand that all officers who use excessive force be prosecuted.
“The actions I watched in the video were incredibly disturbing and go against the basic law enforcement principle of preservation of life,'' Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore said regarding the video of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on Floyd's neck.
“Knowing that we have experienced our own high-profile incidents here in Los Angeles, I can assure you the LAPD strives each day to build trust and these events are sobering reminders of how quickly that can be lost.''
Black Lives Matter's Los Angeles chapter reminded followers on Twitter of those who were killed in recent years by police in Los Angeles County.
About 6:30 p.m., hundreds of protesters left the freeway and continued the protest near Alameda Street and Aliso Street. It was not immediately clear if anyone was arrested.
“Peaceful demonstrations are a hallmark of our country. Violence is unwarranted and takes away from the message,'' Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a statement released on Twitter.
“I urge all of us to protest peacefully for the sake of everyone's public safety.''
City News Service contacted Black Lives Matter for comment on the protest, but there was no immediate response.
Photo: Getty Images