Protesters angry over the George Zimmerman verdict blocked a Los Angeles freeway on Sunday night, while about 80 marched to the CNN building in Hollywood just after midnight Monday, causing police to declare an unlawful assembly. Police said the protests were mostly peaceful, but at least seven were arrested throughout the day. At one demonstration, protesters threw rocks and D-cell batteries, which led to police firing bean bags at the crowd. Rallies were also held in New York: hundreds marched in Times Square, and demonstrations were held in Harlem and Union Square, resulting in seven arrests throughout the city. Hundreds also protested in San Francisco and Oakland on Sunday. Zimmerman, 29, was acquitted Saturday night of all charges relating to the death of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in Florida last year.
LAT:
About 80 protesters gathered in front of the CNN building in Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard shortly after midnight Monday, chanting "No Justice, No Peace," as police declared an unlawful assembly.
A police helicopter shone a light on demonstrators as more than 100 Los Angeles police officers in riot gear converged on the crowd and began making arrests and telling people to disperse. Some officers fired less-than-lethal rounds at the crowd.
The protesters had marched down to the CNN building from Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, with some carrying signs that said "We Are All Travyon Martin."
Throughout the evening, police struggled to get a handle on pockets of protesters blocking traffic in the wake of the verdict in the George Zimmerman murder trial in Florida. The neighborhood watch volunteer was acquitted Saturday of fatally shooting the unarmed black teenager during a confrontation in February 2012.Earlier, the LAPD called a citywide tactical alert after demonstrators blocked traffic on the eastbound 10 Freeway. The freeway was shut down from 6:30 p.m. to about 6:45 p.m.
A slightly refreshing break from the normal as LAPD "emphasized that most of the protesters were peaceful," but that some "splinter groups" have been more aggressive.
Protesters march during a rally denouncing the not guilty verdict in the George Zimmerman murder trial in San Francisco Bay area on Sunday, July 14, 2013:
