Protesters face the police in the Fairfax District in Los Angeles on May 30, 2020.
In the fourth day of protests in Los Angeles, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in LA after things turned dangerous Saturday with multiple police cars set on fire and city buses overtaken. Several Southern California cities also announced curfews to calm the chaos.
Los Angeles police officers in tactical gear and protesters clashed Saturday afternoon near Fairfax Avenue and 3rd Street in the Fairfax District. Several police vehicles were set on fire, sending plumes of black smoke over the area. Messages were written in spray paint on police cars, at least two of which had windows smashed out.
By 9 p.m., an hour after the curfew went into effect, people could be seen looting from stores on Melrose Avenue, and firefighters were battling a fire that was consuming several stores.
At a Saturday news conference, Mayor Eric Garcetti had planned to discuss Friday night’s protest and violence. Instead, he pleaded for peace.
"Whether you wear a badge or whether you hold a sign, I’m asking all of Los Angeles to take a deep breath and step back for a moment," Garcetti said. "To allow our firefighters to put out the flames. To allow our peace officers to re-establish some order. And, to let them protect your rights to be out there."
Garcetti announced a curfew that will be in effect in Downtown Los Angeles beginning from 8 p.m. Saturday to 5:30 a.m. Sunday. Later in the evening, the mayor told NBCLA that the curfew had been expanded to the entire city of Los Angeles. An alert was sent to phones across the city shortly after 7 p.m.
In addition, Garcetti said he asked the governor for National Guard assistance, with up to 1,000 troops expected to arrive in the LA-area by midnight.
LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva also said he had requested "limited activation" of the National Guard and asked for the extra resources to be put on standby.
@LACoSheriff Sheriff Villanueva has called for a limited activation of the national guard ... they have been asked to be on standby. Stay safe everyone!
West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey Horvath also announced a curfew will also be in place in her city starting at 8 p.m. A short time later, the city of Beverly Hills said that a curfew would be in place from 8 p.m. Saturday to 5:30 a.m. Sunday to ensure the safety of residents, visitors and law enforcement. The city of Santa Monica also announced that it would be under curfews from 8 p.m. until 5:30 a.m.
Pasadena and Culver City also announced curfews to match what was happening in nearby Southern California cities.
UPDATE: In a rare move, the LAPD has mobilized the entire department meaning basically all in, days off cancelled, two shifts, placement of detectives, special units out in the field to get as many cops on the street as possible. They are responding only to priority calls.
Squad cars are set on fire during protests in the Fairfax District. As seen on the NBC4 News on Saturday, May 30, 2020.
Several rallies were planned across the city Saturday, with Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and BLD PWR scheduling a rally at noon at Pan Pacific Park, 7600 Beverly Blvd., to call for an end to police brutality against unarmed black Americans and justice in the death of George Floyd. The Fairfax District, where the aforementioned rally was planned, featured significant unrest and several police cars vandalized and and set on fire, resulting in a large police response.
As police and protesters clased, police announced the protests in the Fairfax District as an unlawful assembly.
The protests erupted Saturday as Los Angeles County reported the largest single day total of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, confirming another 2,112 cases of COVID-19 and 48 additional deaths.
"We do need to make sure these protests do not become places that are super-spreader events," Garcetti said. "It is not a reason to not protest. We want to find peaceful ways for people to do that."
Garcetti was joined at the afternoon news conference by the Rev. Najuma Smith-Pollard, daughter of the Rev. Cecil L. Murray and program manager for the Community Engagement program named after her father at USC. She remembered the civil unrest that followed the 1992 acquittal of four LAPD officers in the Rodney King beating and her father’s powerful words that comforted the city.
"To those that are feeling the pain and the grief of this season, we stand with you,” she said. “It is the right thing to stand up. It is the right thing to speak up. It should not be that nearly 30 years later we’re still facing this issue."
Garcetti also announced that all COVID-19 sites were closed at 3 p.m. as a result of the unrest.
The marches and protests were part of several cross the United States against police brutality following the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday.
Saturday was the fourth straight day of protests in Los Angeles over police brutality targeting African Americans. Businesses were looted, freeways and streets were shut down and the protests have turned violent.
Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images
Looters emerge from a store with merchandise during a riot on May 31, 2020 in Santa Monica, California folling a peaceful rally which was held earlier in the day expressing outrage over the death of George Floyd. – Thousands of National Guard troops patrolled major US cities after five consecutive nights of protests over racism and police brutality that boiled over into arson and looting, sending shock waves through the country. The death Monday of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in Minneapolis ignited this latest wave of outrage in the US over law enforcement’s repeated use of lethal force against African Americans — this one like others before captured on cellphone video.
TOMMASO BODDI/AFP via Getty Images
Looters emerge from a store with merchandise during a riot on May 31, 2020 in Santa Monica, California folling a peaceful rally which was held earlier in the day expressing outrage over the death of George Floyd. – Thousands of National Guard troops patrolled major US cities after five consecutive nights of protests over racism and police brutality that boiled over into arson and looting, sending shock waves through the country. The death Monday of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in Minneapolis ignited this latest wave of outrage in the US over law enforcement’s repeated use of lethal force against African Americans — this one like others before captured on cellphone video.
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People run off with merchandise from a store during widespread protests and unrest in response to the death of George Floyd on May 31, 2020 in Santa Monica, California. Protests continue in cities throughout the country after Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis. The National Guard has been deployed in Los Angeles and other major US cities to attempt to stem the tide of rising violence and unrest, with President Donald Trump blaming ANTIFA and tweeting they will be designated a terrorist organization.
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California National Guard is seen parked at the Los Angeles Convention Center after demonstrators protested the death of George Floyd in Los Angeles, California on May 31, 2020. – Thousands of National Guard troops patrolled major US cities after five consecutive nights of protests over racism and police brutality that boiled over into arson and looting, sending shock waves through the country. The death Monday of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in Minneapolis ignited this latest wave of outrage in the US over law enforcement’s repeated use of lethal force against African Americans — this one like others before captured on cellphone video.
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A man walks past a defaced LAPD vehicle in the Fairfax District, an area damaged during yesterday’s unrest, following violent demonstrations in response to George Floyd’s death on May 31, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. California Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was taken into custody for Floyd’s death. Chauvin has been accused of kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he pleaded with him about not being able to breathe. Floyd was pronounced dead a short while later. Chauvin and 3 other officers, who were involved in the arrest, were fired from the police department after a video of the arrest was circulated.
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Volunteers walk past a store marked black owned in an attempt to deter people damaging or looting their business, after demonstrations followed by unrest protesting the murder of George Floyd, on May 31, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The National Guard has been deployed in Los Angeles and other major US cities to attempt to stem the tied of rising violence and unrest, with President Donald Trump blaming ANTIFA and tweeting they will be designated a terrorist organization.
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A young boy photographs the remains of a burnt-out car, after demonstrations followed by unrest protesting the murder of George Floyd, on May 31, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The National Guard has been deployed in Los Angeles and other major US cities to attempt to stem the tied of rising violence and unrest, with President Donald Trump blaming ANTIFA and tweeting they will be designated a terrorist organization.
MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images
People walk past graffiti outside a store on the iconic Rodeo Drive, after demonstrators protested the death of George Floyd in Beverly Hills, California on May 31, 2020. – Thousands of National Guard troops patrolled major US cities after five consecutive nights of protests over racism and police brutality that boiled over into arson and looting, sending shock waves through the country. The death Monday of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in Minneapolis ignited this latest wave of outrage in the US over law enforcement’s repeated use of lethal force against African Americans — this one like others before captured on cellphone video.
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The National Guard are stationed in front of the Farmers Market on 3rd and Fairfax, on May 31, 2020.
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The National Guard are stationed in front of Fairfax Avenue, on May 31, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 31: U.S. National Guard troops keep watch in the Fairfax District, an area damaged during unrest.
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California National Guard members arrive in downtown Los Angeles Saturday May 31, 2020.
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Volunteers clean up anti-Semitic graffiti at Beth Israel synagogue in the Fairfax District Sunday May 31, 2020 after a night of vandalism.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: Looters target businesses on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax District during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020.
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A destroyed car is removed from the Fairfax District Sunday May 31, 2020.
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California National Guard members arrive in downtown Los Angeles Saturday May 31, 2020.
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California National Guard members arrive in downtown Los Angeles Saturday May 31, 2020.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: Graffiti is seen on a looted business on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax District during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The vast majority of protestors demonstrated peacefully. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was taken into custody for Floyd’s death. Chauvin has been accused of kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he pleaded with him about not being able to breathe. Floyd was pronounced dead a short while later. Chauvin and 3 other officers, who were involved in the arrest, were fired from the police department after a video of the arrest was circulated. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: A man throws a Molotov cocktail as another loots a business on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax District during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020.
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Demonstrators kneel as they block an intersection in the Fairfax District in Los Angeles, California on May 30, 2020.
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People smash a police vehicle in the Fairfax District in Los Angeles, California on May 30, 2020.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 30: People are seen at a gathering at Pan Pacific Park on Saturday, May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: An LAPD vehicle burns after being set alight by protestors during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: An LAPD officer aims a nonlethal weapon during a confrontation with protestors at a Black Lives Matter protest following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Protests have erupted nationwide after Floyd died while in the custody of police in Minneapolis. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: An LAPD vehicle burns after being set alight by protestors during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: Protestors march during a demonstration organized by Black Lives Matter following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 29: Demonstrators gather on an overpass of the 110 Freeway while police officers gather below in response to the police killing of George Floyd on May 29, 2020 in Los Angeles.
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Demonstrators face a row of police as they block a road leading to the 110 freeway to protest the death of George Floyd, in downtown Los Angeles.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 29: Demonstrators shut down the Freeway 110 North in downtown Los Angeles response to the police killing of George Floyd on May 29, 2020 in Los Angeles.
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A demonstrator confronts police as he protests the death of George Floyd, in Los Angeles, California on May 29, 2020.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 29: Demonstrators lights fireworks while they shut down the Freeway 110 North in downtown Los Angeles response to the police killing of George Floyd on May 29, 2020 in Los Angeles.
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A demonstrator holds up a sign outside City Hall as he protests the death of George Floyd, outside police headquarters in Los Angeles, California on May 29, 2020.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 29: Demonstrators shut down the northbound 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles in response to the police killing of George Floyd on May 29, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
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A protester rides a skateboard on the 110 northbound freeway in downtown Los Angeles.
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Protesters block the 110 northbound and southbound freeway in downtown Los Angeles Friday May 29, 2020.
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A protester stands above the nrothbound 110 freeway in Los Angeles Friday May 29. 2020.
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A drone aerial view shows United States National Guard troops gathered at the Los Angeles Convention Center after being activated by California Governor Gavin Newsom following violent demonstrations in response to George Floyd’s death on May 31, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was taken into custody for Floyd’s death. Chauvin has been accused of kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he pleaded with him about not being able to breathe. Floyd was pronounced dead a short while later. Chauvin and 3 other officers, who were involved in the arrest, were fired from the police department after a video of the arrest was circulated.
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Demonstrators face a row of police as they block a road leading to the 110 freeway to protest the death of George Floyd, in downtown Los Angeles, California on May 29, 2020.
Adrey Arroyo
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A girl jumps holding a sign (Justice Now!) while she and her family protest in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles on May 30, 2020.
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People participate in a peaceful demonstration in Santa Monica on Sunday, May 31, 2020.
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People participate in a peaceful demonstration in Santa Monica on Sunday, May 31, 2020.
Five hundred and thirty-three people were arrested Friday during the protest, Los Angeles police said. The individuals were arrested on suspicion of burglary, looting, probation violation, battery on a police officer, attempted murder and failure to disperse, the LAPD said Saturday in a news release. All but 18 of those arrested were released on their own recognizance.
"While more protests are slated for various locations throughout the city today, we remain hopeful those demonstrations will be peaceful," the department said in its new release. "The Department will be deploying additional resources to maintain order and ensure the safety and security of not only individuals exercising their first amendment rights, but also the residents and businesses in our community."
LAPD said that six officers were injured during the protests on Friday night and Saturday morning. None of the injuries were life-threatening.
Six Los Angeles Police Officers were injured during the protests on Friday night and early Saturday morning. They sustained non-life-threatening injuries ranging from lacerations to impact wounds.
Christine Kim reports for Today in LA on Saturday, May 30, 2020.
People are protesting to demand justice for Floyd, who died Monday after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by a white Minneapolis Police Department officer, Derek Chauvin. Chauvin pressed his knee on the 46-year-old man's neck for several minutes while three other officers looked on.
Video footage of the arrest, in which Floyd is heard saying "I can't breathe," spread widely online, and all four officers were fired.
Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter on Friday.
Police Chief Michel Moore appealed for calm ahead of the protests on Saturday in a tweet saying, "Last night was a dark reminder of the perils of a society in turmoil and how our people stand to support peaceful expression while being ready to protect the rights of all."
This morning the sun came up on a Los Angeles that offered a new day.
Last night was a dark reminder of the perils of a society in turmoil and how our people stand to support peaceful expression while being ready to protect the rights of all.
