Aerial video showed protesters lying down on the ground in the middle of an intersection
Friday, Nov 28, 2014 • Updated at 7:01 PM PST
Los Angeles police on Friday night began detaining protesters in the Westlake District who were running into traffic despite orders to stay on the sidewalk, disperse or be taken into custody.
A group of 50 to 100 protesters marched at Alvarado Street near Beverly Boulevard, where police blocked the intersection near the 101 Freeway as crowds chanted "Let us go."
"We are peaceful protesters who demand justice for our rights in the streets," one person shouted. "Over 300 people have been arrested ... What is going on?"
The day of demonstrations on Black Friday marked the latest in a string of gatherings across the city in the wake of a grand jury's decision not to indict a Ferguson, Missouri, police officer in the shooting death of unarmed teen Michael Brown.
LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith said Friday's demonstrators were running into the street and blocking motorists, despite being told repeatedly to remain on the sidewalk. Aerial video showed a group in the middle of the street, some lying down on the ground in the intersection.
Officers could be seen detaining several protesters. Metro riders were told to expect delays and detours in the area.
The protests put the LAPD on another citywide tactical alert and come after a Wednesday night demonstration in downtown LA that left dozens behind bars on Thanksgiving Day.
Some activists and demonstrators who were among those arrested Wednesday night held a news conference Friday afternoon to accuse Los Angeles police of putting them in handcuffs for no reason and without warning. Meanwhile, LAPD officials have maintained that the protesters were warned more than once about potential arrests.
About 371 people have been arrested in Los Angeles this week as a result of the protests, Smith said.
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