Pro-Palestinian rally in Pan Pacific Park veers into The Grove shopping center

Hundreds of protesters calling for a permanent cease fire in the Israel-Hamas war and a halt to U.S. aid for  Israel marched through The Grove shopping mall in L.A. and took over the intersection of 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue on Friday, Nov. 24. At one point they prevented shoppers from entering or leaving The Grove for more than 30 minutes.

The pro-Palestine protesters marched through city streets as police officers tried to prevent them from reentering The Grove or Farmers’ Market property. Marchers chanted and beat drums, and at one point three people holding a pro-Israel flag appeared to attempt to confront the pro-Palestinian protesters.

The rally ended at about 1 p.m. and traffic was no longer blocked.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky said in a statement, “I’ve just spoken with Chief Moore and have been in touch with Mayor Bass about the protest in the Fairfax neighborhood. LAPD has declared a tactical alert, and will ensure there is sufficient police support. We all have a first amendment right to protest, but we will not accept or tolerate hate or violence of any kind. Safety and security must not be compromised.”

The rally was relatively peaceful, save one person who slashed the tire of a motorist who was trying to get  through the intersection. And a few honking drivers were stopped, caught in the traffic.

Backers of the “Shut It Down for Palestine” effort organized boycotts, disruptions and rallies on Black Friday across the country “to make it clear that there will be no business as usual until Palestine is free,” according to the ANSWER Coalition, one of the local organizers.

The march through The Grove caught Black Friday shoppers by surprise, many of whom whipped out their phones to record the drama. At least 200 hundred people marched from Pan Pacific Park to The Grove shopping center.

The LAPD said on social media, “The LAPD’s objective is to ensure public safety for ALL, while facilitating the Frist Amendment rights of those peacefully demonstrating. Equally the department will enforce the law when individuals engage in acts of violence.”

Earlier in the day at Pan Pacific Park, many in the crowd waved signs, including one reading “Stop killing children,” and took part in organized chants, including, “Israel is a terror state.”