PHOTOS: LAPD arrests more than 500 demonstrators protesting police violence

More than 500 people were arrested in downtown Los Angeles Friday night as demonstrations protesting police violence — including the recent killing of George Floyd — shifted into looting and vandalism on the streets.

After a tense standoff between protestors and police, backdropped by LA’s City Hall illuminated in blue to honor first responders, officers moved to box-in a crowd around 9:30 p.m.

LAPD declared an unlawful assembly for much of the downtown area, and officers arrested demonstrators standing or sitting in the street after a dispersal order was issued. For several hours, smaller crowds wandered the area around 6th and Springs streets leading to several tense confrontations with officers.

The LAPD continued to sweep the downtown area, firing rubber bullets at demonstrators, some of whom threw rocks, looted, and vandalized downtown businesses.

KCRW photographer Brian Feinzimer was on the scene and captured on-the-ground images of the downtown skirmish.

LAPD officers prepare to arrest demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd in downtown Los Angeles. Photo by Brian Feinzimer for KCRW.

LAPD officers sweep downtown Los Angeles to arrest demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd. Photo by Brian Feinzimer for KCRW.