May Day protests in downtown LA

Protesters in downtown Los Angeles converged on Pershing Square tonight as part of the May Day rallies that have been going on all day.

Haley Callis, Occupy LA protester. Photo by Alexandra Woodruff.

Thousands of workers, students, immigration reform advocates and others took part in the events, including protester Haley Callis with Occupy LA. The 28-year-old from Seal Beach joined KCRW’s Steve Chiotakis live on the air. Callis said the Occupy movement has raised the national conversation about income inequality. She also said she hasn’t seen any violence so far today.

However, one female police officer did receive minor injuries when she was hit in the head with a skateboard during a skirmish with demonstrators at about 5 p.m. The blow reportedly put a dent in her helmet. But no arrests have been made in the downtown protests.

However, there were ten arrests at Los Angeles International Airport today. They were willing volunteers, protesting working conditions for janitors and other airport workers.