Demonstrators march in Hollywood to protest police brutality; 5 arrested

Five people were arrested Friday night as dozens gathered along Hollywood Boulevard to protest police brutality.

The demonstrations began at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, where exactly two weeks ago a man brandishing a knife was fatally shot by a Los Angeles Police Department officer.

The crowd of at least 50 marched west to the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea Avenue, where the road was briefly closed to traffic.

Four people were arrested on suspicion of resisting a peace officer, and one person on suspicion of battery.

Jasmyne Cannick, a political consultant who was among the protesters, said one of those arrested is three months pregnant.

Officials declined to specify how many officers were on the scene.

“We have enough to take care of the problem,� said LAPD Sgt. Chuck Slater.

By 10 p.m., the crowd moved to the LAPD’s Hollywood Station. Images and footage posted online showed about two dozen demonstrators facing off with police officers outside the station.

In the wake of grand juries’ decisions not to indict the police officers who fatally shot Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and Eric Garner in New York, protesters have voiced outrage over police brutality in cities across the country.

For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno. He can be reached at [email protected].