A protest slows traffic near LAX during a busy holiday travel day. Karma Dickerson reports for the NBC4 News at 11 a.m. on Wednesday Dec. 27, 2023.
A police officer was thrown to the ground during a protest Wednesday that turned violent and blocked traffic near Los Angeles International Airport, the LAPD said.
The protest brought traffic on some nearby streets to a stop during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
The crowd gathered Wednesday morning near the airport's entrance on Century Boulevard and moved to nearby locations. Authorities asked drivers to avoid the area around the airport.
Debris, including road signs and tree branches, appeared to have been left in lanes on Century Boulevard.
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Video showed authorities taking protesters into custody. Thirty-six people were arrested, some on suspicion of rioting and one on suspicion of battery on an officer, police said.
"The LAPD’s objective is to ensure public safety for ALL, while facilitating the First Amendment rights of those peacefully demonstrating," the LAPD said. "However, this was not a peaceful demonstration.
"Protestors threw a police officer to the ground, used construction debris, road signs, tree branches, and blocks of concrete to obstruct Century BLVD while attacking uninvolved passerbys (sic) in their vehicles. This unlawful behavior is dangerous and will not be tolerated. Approx. 36 protesters were arrested and booked for 404.6 PC (Rioting) and at least one arrested for battery on a police officer."
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Details about the protest were not immediately available. Signs and graffiti left behind by the protesters referenced the war in Gaza and other international conflicts.
The protest began after 8 a.m. during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year at the airport. More than 1.9 million travelers were expected at LAX during the holiday travel period that began Dec. 15 and continues through Jan. 2. The busiest days at LAX were expected to be Dec. 21, 22, Thursday and Friday.
