20,000 People Protest In Hollywood, Smaller Groups March Throughout LA And Orange Counties
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) -- Thousands of demonstrators speaking out against racism and police brutality marched at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Hollywood on Sunday afternoon into Sunday night.
LAPD estimated about 20,000 people were in attendance, making it one of the biggest protests in the L.A. area over the past few days.
The protest was sponsored by Black Lives Matter, BLD PWR and local rapper YG, and was attended by people of various races and ages.
Widespread demonstrations came after the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, who died shortly after an officer held his knee on Floyd's neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
For complete coverage of the situation in Minneapolis visit CBSMinnesota.com and stream CBSN Minnesota.
Marchers in Hollywood were still moving as of 7 p.m. and most appeared to be wearing face masks, although they were still standing closely together. Police presence was low in the area, so some people volunteered to direct traffic as others marched, chanted and handed out water to the protesters braving the heat.
The group was considerably smaller after 10 p.m. as some demonstrators gathered around a makeshift memorial.
Meanwhile, National Guard troops were leaving the Los Angeles area Sunday evening, eight days after being deployed to help control unrest that unfolded in the city, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced.
RELATED: California National Guard Departs LA After Week Of Peaceful Protests
Other areas throughout Southern California saw smaller protests and gatherings, where groups demanded justice for Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other African Americans who have died at the hands of police officers.
Los Angeles County
Up to 300 protesters demonstrated outside the Los Angeles City Hall, moving between Spring Street and Grand Park throughout the day. Sunday morning, LAPD Chief Michel Moore, parents and students marched from the LAPD headquarters to City Hall as part of the Building Blue Bridges organization's goal to bridge the gap between the community and police officers.
In West Hollywood, a small group grew to hundreds of demonstrators marching toward Santa Monica Boulevard.
Thousands of demonstrators also came out in Compton on foot, motorcycles and horses for the Compton Peace Walk.
Demonstrators gathered peacefully in East Los Angeles at Mariachi Plaza and in Beverly Hills on bicycles.
A memorial and civil rights rally was held in Venice to honor the contributions of people of color in the community.
Orange County
Demonstrations were held outside the Huntington Beach Police Department and at the Huntington Beach Pier. There were about 1,000 people gathering in Fullerton. Smaller groups also came out in Santa Ana and Newport Beach.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)
