WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (CNS) — Deputies dispersed more than 100 Black Lives Matter protesters who gathered on Halloween night in front of revelers at bars and restaurants at Santa Monica and San Vicente boulevards near the West Hollywood Sheriff's station.
Despite at least one deputy pointing a less-lethal weapon directly at protesters, the group ultimately departed east before any shots were fired or any chemical irritants released.
What You Need To Know
- Deputies dispersed over 100 BLM protesters who gathered on Halloween night near the West Hollywood Sheriff's station
- The group ultimately departed east before any shots were fired or any chemical irritants released
- The activists swayed to Latin pop and house music at the lighthearted meet-up for racial equality, which began at 6:30 p.m.
- The situation became tense when a deputy pointed his less-lethal firearm directly at multiple demonstrators
The activists, who were participating in a dance for Black Lives Matter and wearing unicorn, Robin Hood, cheetah, Casey Jones, and law enforcement costumes, swayed to Latin pop and house music at the lighthearted meet-up for racial equality, which got underway at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
At first, some Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials seemed confused about the demonstration. One male deputy, mustering at the Pacific Design Center at around 7:30 p.m., said it wasn't clear to him what was happening, just that "something is going on up there."
Another deputy nearby, J. Aguirre, said as far as he was concerned, whatever was occurring was an illegal activity in the era of COVID-19 restrictions.
"It's an unsanctioned event," he said. "The city isn't putting this on."
At 7:44 p.m., the seemingly impromptu party, titled "Dance for Black Lives," was officially deemed an unlawful assembly, but at first demonstrators weren't keen on leaving.
The situation became tense when a deputy pointed his less-lethal firearm directly at multiple demonstrators, and as a woman began spraying bubbles toward law enforcers.
A female protester's amplified voice filled the air as she shouted, "No justice, no peace! We goin' dance in these streets!"
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One attendee, in his early 20s from Los Angeles, who gave his name only as Ben M., said he found out about the flash mob on Instagram and came out to the event to promote the racial justice movement.
"Black people keep dying," he said from the middle of the intersection as sheriff's deputies expanded their street barrier.
As Justin Frazier, 25, followed the trickle of demonstrators beginning to make their way east, he was upbeat.
"This is beautiful," he said, adding he wished the deputies saw it the same way.
"It was going good until they showed up," he said.