Los Angeles police have made several arrests since the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Florida.
Twelve people, including 11 juveniles, were arrested after a series of assaults, robberies and acts of vandalism Tuesday night along Hollywood Boulevard. Witnesses described a group of about 30 people roaming the tourist area near Hollywood and Highland. The group appeared to be a gathering of kids that were vandalizing and looting stores.
LAPD made arrests after a peaceful prayer vigil gave way to violence at Leimert Park on Monday, the second night of unrest since the verdict. Fourteen people were arrested after a protest became unruly in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles. It began as a prayer rally at Leimert Park at p.m., when about 150 people became part of an angry mob that ran amuck through the streets of Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. By 8 p.m., several groups of protesters on foot were marching on Crenshaw Boulevard.
The mob attacked passing cars, jumping onto minivans and SUVs, and some roughed up random pedestrians. The mob raided a Walmart and other stores, damaging property and stealing products. By 9 p.m. the LAPD declared a citywide tactical alert, and then at 10 p.m. the LAPD declared an unlawful assembly in the Crenshaw area protest.
Of the 14 people arrested, seven adults and six juveniles were suspected of failing to disperse, and one was suspected of inciting a riot, police said. In Oakland, nine people were arrested when a protest over Zimmerman’s acquittal turned violent.