A look at LA’s largest gatherings yet.
On Tuesday morning, two separate protests slowly turned into peaceful parades moving through Hollywood and DTLA. LAPD. The enormity of the crowd in coupled with the unity of such diverse groups, was a sight to behold. Meanwhile, smaller gatherings were seen in Venice, Monrovia, Brea, Manhattan Beach, Northridge and other parts of SoCal.
Originally, the Hollywood Vine protest was promoted by rapper YG, who later pulled out. But that didn’t stop thousands of people from descending on the area to speak up against racial injustice and police brutality in the country. The protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd, who died after having his neck crushed by a police officer.
Crowds stopped at various intersections to kneel with their arms held up in the air, expressing anger loudly—but peacefully— through chants. “Black lives matter,” “George Floyd” and “I can’t breathe” were among the rallying cries that echoed down the city’s famed streets.
Almost no reports of unrest were reported until late afternoon when law enforcement moved in as the curfew drew closer. This caused the groups to diverge and move down smaller streets while others halted behind the lines of officers awaiting instructions. After some tension, mediators and organizers managed to calm the crowd enough for gatherings to unite again.
This is what protestors captured on social media.
DTLA protest today. Black lives matter.#NoJusticeNoPeace #GeorgeFloydProtests pic.twitter.com/aWrbVDvmHs
— Potential Spam (@AsToldBySam) June 2, 2020
A massive crowd stopped outside City Hall to chant “hands up” and “don’t shoot.”
#DTLA Protest pic.twitter.com/FteQWlFBaZ
— Rachel Kim (@CBSLARachel) June 3, 2020
Despite what you may see in the news or elsewhere, I was in downtown LA today marching and protesting for hours with thousands of ppl and the entire assembly was peaceful from start to finish. I’m sure there are other experiences but this was mine #GeorgeFloyd #DTLAProtest #BLM pic.twitter.com/Kr1PCWz96N
— M 🧬🧬 (@angeluxx__) June 1, 2020
DTLA Protest – June 2nd, 2020 #BlackLivesMatter #NoJusticeNoPeace #Peacefulprotest #LosAngelesProtest pic.twitter.com/7WwMYq1X1w
— Daveeed (@DavidJames0426) June 3, 2020
Hollywood
Little girl standing in the intersection of sunset and vine, the national guard is behind them #Hollywood pic.twitter.com/z5ve37a8K2
— Brittny Mejia (@brittny_mejia) June 2, 2020
There was no looting. There was no violence on our side. If you are able to be out there marching then do it to be part of a solution, on the right side of history and to show solidarity. Don’t let the news scare you into being complicit. Exercise your rights #hollywood pic.twitter.com/Q70mrKdPXX
— Iliza Shlesinger (@iliza) June 2, 2020
THE MEDIA WON’T SHOW YOU THIS❗️2 DIFFERENT PEACEFUL PROTESTS MET UP AND MARCHED TOGETHER ON HOLLYWOOD BLVD TO DEMAND EQUALITY AND CHANGE!🥺💞 NO JUSTICE NO PEACE. BLACK LIVES MATTER 🖤 I’ll never forget today. #BlackLivesMattter #Hollywood #hollywoodprotest #PeacefulProtests pic.twitter.com/6FppDEZ1nK
— lo (@itslinzy) June 2, 2020
The crowd decided to continue the march in the opposite direction after being cut off from other large groups.
LAPD formed a line of at least 20 along Hollywood Blvd to keep this crowd from joining another further up the street. The crowd turned around and marching in the opposite direction #GeorgeFloydProtests pic.twitter.com/LdRwlkEpSa
— Brittny Mejia (@brittny_mejia) June 2, 2020
Featured Image: Kiersten Friesen
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