Protestors March In Balboa Park, Gather Near SDPD Headquarters

SAN DIEGO, CA — Protests against police violence against black Americans continued for a third day Monday in San Diego County. A peaceful protest march proceeded through Balboa Park Monday afternoon, followed by a second demonstration that began early Monday evening near the San Diego police headquarters.

About 150 people participated in the first protest, according to police, a day after a downtown San Diego protest devolved into looting and vandalism after dark.

The group of protesters began marching early Monday afternoon through the park and to the San Diego Zoo. Participants chanted "No Justice, no peace. No racist police," as well as the name of George Floyd, a black man who died Memorial Day in Minneapolis after being taken into police custody. His death has sparked protests and civil unrest in cities across the country.

Protest leaders urged marchers not to commit vandalism and to only use temporary means like chalk to leave messages, which many of the demonstrators used to write messages such as "Black Lives Matter" on city sidewalks.

"We are facilitating this protest to ensure everyone remains safe," San Diego police officials said on Twitter.

There were no reports of arrests.

The California Highway Patrol closed some downtown freeway on- and off-ramps as a precaution. The closures included westbound state Route 94 to F Street, the First Avenue entrance to southbound I-5, and the southbound I-5 exits to 10th Avenue and Front Street.

A second protest began Monday evening near the San Diego police headquarters. The protest prompted police to shut down Broadway to vehicles between 13th and 15th streets.

"Our department maintains its commitment to supporting peaceful and lawful demonstrations," police said on Twitter. "We are aware there are a few unruly persons within the now much larger group at this moment. We are encouraging the peaceful demonstrators to make their desire for peace known."

The latest protests followed a weekend of large-scale protests in La Mesa and downtown San Diego, both of which started peacefully, but ended with clashes between protesters and police as well as looting and vandalism. Other smaller protests were reported over the weekend throughout the region.

In response to continued large gatherings, looting and rioting, curfews were extended Monday for four cities and some unincorporated areas in the county.

The cities of El Cajon, Poway and Santee extended curfews Monday night. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department also extended a curfew for some unincorporated areas of the county, including areas around Spring Valley and areas from Lakeside north to Poway.

Also see:

• Curfews Extended For Some San Diego County Cities, Communities
• Over $75K Raised For La Mesa Businesses After Devastating Riots
• La Mesa Cleans Up After Night Of Protests, Arson And Looting
• Over 100 Arrested After Looters Rob, Vandalize Shops In San Diego
• Protests, Looting Continue For Second Day In San Diego County
• Curfews Issued For Some Cities, Unincorporated Areas In San Diego County

City News Service and Patch editor Kristina Houck contributed to this report.