Scattered violence and fist fights broke out Sunday between Palestinian supporters and supporters of Israel in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles, where police in riot gear attempted to restore order.
The trouble began at 10:52 a.m. in the 9000 block of Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Tony Im told City News Service.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators had gathered in front of the Adas Torah synagogue at 9040 W. Pico Blvd. and were met with counter-demonstrators, some carrying Israeli flags.
Heated verbal confrontations grew physical shortly thereafter, with several scuffles occurring in streets throughout the neighborhood. Video from the scene showed punches being thrown and some people wielding the handles of protest signs as weapons.
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"One person just boom, straight to my nose," said Nafoli Sherman, an Israeli supporter. "I fell to the floor. I got hit many times on my head. I got kicked over here."
Police responded in tactical gear.
Im did not immediately report any injuries or arrests, but video appeared to show at least two pro-Palestinian demonstrators taken from their SUV and arrested near Pico and Wetherly Drive, with an LAPD officer removing a small child from the back seat.
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One couple connected with the protest was detained after it was reported that they were armed with a gun. They were released after police searched and confirmed that they did not have a weapon.
In response to Sunday's violence, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement condemning the fights.
“Today’s violence in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood today was abhorrent, and blocking access to a place of worship is unacceptable," Bass' statement read. She added that she called on police to provide additional patrols in the community as well as other houses of worship in the city.
"Gov. Gavin Newsom echoed those sentiments in a social media post.
"The violent clashes outside the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles are appalling," Newsom's post read. "There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship. Such antisemitic hatred has no place in California."
