Hours after what began as a peaceful protest of the killing of George Floyd began in downtown L.A., the situation took a dark turn.
In the heart of downtown Los Angeles’ loft district, which before the coronavirus bustled with restaurants and other shops, the scene was chaotic and surreal at midnight.
Hours after what began as a peaceful protest of the killing of George Floydbegan in downtown, the situation took a dark turn. Los Angeles police repeatedly clashed with protesters as they tried to push them south from City Hall.
Then, some people in the crowd began vandalizing buildings and looting some businesses. One man threw a scooter into a plate-glass window of a business.
Some jewelry stores were looted, and one person handed a handful of jewels to a reporter on the street. Jewelry display cases lay nearby.
A Starbucks on Spring Street was thrashed, its windows broken, merchandise taken and furniture tossed onto the street.
