'Taking Back This Block': DTLA Protest Is A Peaceful One

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Black Lives Matter march in downtown Los Angeles Thursday night was a peaceful one. Protesters made their way past City Hall toward Los Angeles Street. There was a brief, tense moment with the Los Angeles Police Department on 2nd Street where protesters formed a line in front of police, chanting "I can't breathe" as motorists honked in support. A few moments later, the crowd dispersed and continued their march.

Along the route, Yoni, a Mid Wilshire resident who didn’t want to share his last name, tried to register protesters to vote. Yoni carried pens and forms people could fill out. Yoni was not working on behalf of any organization. “I’m a lone wolf,” he said.

Emani and Haley, two protesters who also didn’t want to disclose their last names, made the one-hour drive from Inland Empire to Los Angeles for the march. Emani said that she and Haley made the trip after they “heard what L.A. Police Chief [Michael] Moore said.”

Emani was referring to Moore’s comments Monday night during a press conference, when Moore talked about looters in L.A. and said that “[George Floyd]’s death is on their hands as much as it is those officers.” Emani and Haley want to attend more protesters in Los Angeles. “We’re gonna come out this weekend,” Emani said.

Los Angeles Police Department vehicles blocked off certain roads through the march. A group of police cars followed the protesters down Los Angeles Street.

At Spring Street, people took photos in front of a new mural of George Floyd as over a dozen National Guard soldiers stood fifty feet away, next to the Starbucks on the corner of 6th Street.

“We have guys who have been here since Sunday,” Master Sergeant Ray Aquino of the National Guard said, referring to the Guard’s advanced presence in Los Angeles.

As night fell, protesters dispersed and Spring Street resident, comedian and activist Aston Wallace started an Instagram live video of a block party, celebrating the end of the L.A. curfew.

“We are taking back the block in a positive way,” Wallace said on his live video. He turned the camera to people dancing in front of him as the National Guard soldiers stood by, across the street.