Police Vehicles Attacked in Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive Store Looted
Rodeo Drive trended on Twitter Saturday, encouraging people to come and protest there.
By City News Service ••
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In response to the growing protests, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced on Saturday that the entire city will be under curfew from 8pm Saturday to 5:30am Sunday morning in order to “increase safety for demonstrators, law enforcement and all citizens of Los Angeles.” Protesters shut down streets near The Grove shopping center, lighting several police cars on fire and overtaking a city bus.
What began as a protest in Beverly Hills Saturday over the in-custody death of George Floyd led to looting of the Alexander McQueen clothing store on Rodeo Drive, attacks on three police vehicles and multiple incidents of vandalism.
Police used tear gas to break up the remaining 200-300 people gathered at Rodeo and Santa Monica Boulevard around 8 p.m., after the gathering was declared an illegal assembly.
More than 2,000 people came to Beverly Hills as part of a nationwide series of demonstrations, Keith Sterling, the city's public information manager, told City News Service.
The sign-carrying demonstrators reached Beverly Hills' famed three- block shopping street, Rodeo Drive, approximately 3:15 to 3:30 p.m., chanting “Eat the rich.” Signs carried by protesters included, “George Floyd did not deserve to be murdered,” “Justice for George Floyd” and “Black lives matter.”
Many protesters ignored social-distancing recommendations.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
The city announced around 2 p.m. Rodeo was closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Stores on Rodeo, like other nonessential stores throughout the state, have been closed since early March due to stay-at-home orders related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Sterling described the vandalism as "mostly spray painting and several broken windows."
“While we are still determining the extent of the damage, we are deeply saddened that vandalism occurred in our city today,” Mayor Les Friedman said. “We will work to support our businesses moving forward in this already difficult time.”
The Alexander McQueen store was looted by masked individuals around 6:20 p.m. as what appeared to be dozens of people entered the store and escaped with stolen items.
There was also an attempt to loot the Gucci store.
Three Santa Monica Police Department vehicles were attacked between 6 and 7 p.m. at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Rodeo. Santa Monica police were assisting the Beverly Hills Police Department on a mutual aid request.
A few police officers suffered minor injuries, Friedman told NBC4, adding the Beverly Hills Police Department will also receive assistance from departments in the Inland Empire.
The incidents on Rodeo came hours after the street was trending on Twitter, encouraging people to come there to protest.
At 5:18 p.m., Friedman joined Los Angeles in announcing a curfew from 8 p.m. Saturday to 5:30 a.m. Sunday “to ensure the safety of citizens, visitors and law enforcement personnel.”
The curfew prohibits anyone from being upon streets, alleys, parks or any public place.
“I'm asking everyone to stay at home,” Friedman said. “Thousands of protesters marched through our city streets on Saturday to call attention the devastating circumstances surrounding the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd.
“While most of the protesters were peaceful and there were no injuries, there were multiple incidents of vandalism in the city. The safety of the Beverly Hills community remains our top priority at all times.”
The Beverly Hills Police Department has deployed extra staffing throughout the city and will be highly visible while enforcing the curfew, Friedman said.
Shortly before 4 p.m., automated telephone calls were made to Beverly Hills residents saying protesters are entering the city and urging residents to stay at home and motorists should avoid the area.
The Beverly Hills City Council held what it described as an "emergency meeting to discuss the current ongoing civil unrest within Los Angeles County" earlier Saturday.
Floyd died Monday after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by a white Minneapolis Police Department officer, Derek Chauvin, who 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.
