LOS ANGELES (AP) — Police in riot gear have cleared some 300 people from Hollywood Boulevard after they were emptied from a nightclub that had been operating over capacity.

Los Angeles police Officer Julie Boyer says fights broke out around Cahuenga and Hollywood boulevards early Monday as police cleared the Empire nightclub because of overcrowding.

She says officers backed by patrol cars with flashing lights took about an hour to move the crowd away from the club.

Police Lt. Andy Neiman says two members of the crowd were arrested for battery, but that no serious injuries were reported.

The nightclub did not return a phone message.

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