Officials, religious leaders to meet after protests outside Los Angeles synagogue turn violent

Will Conybeare and Erin Myers

22 minutes ago

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is expected to meet with other elected officials, law enforcement and religious leaders after a protest outside a local synagogue turned violent on Sunday.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, authorities were first dispatched to the 9000 block of Pico Boulevard in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood of Los Angeles just before 11 a.m. on reports of Protesters reportedly blocked the entrance to the Adas Torah synagogue.

“There were several physical altercations between the two protesting groups, resulting in two reports of assault and battery,” the LAPD said in a press release issued early Monday morning, adding that an investigation into the two reports had been opened.

Officers in riot gear immediately established skirmish lines and blocked access to nearby streets as counterprotesters arrived and the clashes became physical.

Video of the protests taken by user

Others were seen throwing wild punches, kicking people to the ground and using the flags they were carrying to defend themselves.

One person was arrested for possession of a prohibited item during a protest; according to LAPD Officer Tony Im, the object was described as a “spiked flag.”

The individual was cited at the West Los Angeles police station and released, police said.

Several elected officials were quick to condemn the violence, including California Governor Gavin Newsom.

“The violent clashes outside the Adas Torah Synagogue in Los Angeles are appalling,” the governor said on X. “There is no excuse for targeting a place of worship. Such anti-Semitic hatred has no place in California »

In separate statements, Mayor Bass and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky both called the protest “unacceptable” and confirmed they would meet this week, along with the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, Acting LAPD Chief Dominic Choi and other city officials. to discuss the safety of Angelenos.

The LAPD announced it would increase patrols in the area around Adas Torah Synagogue as well as other places of worship and reminded Angelenos that while lawful protests are permitted, violence and crime are not tolerated .