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Los Angeles is under curfew as the region heads into its fifth day of protests.
The protests began as an outpouring of anger and grief over the lives of black men and women killed by police -- a response triggered by the death of George Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer continued to kneel on his neck even after he stopped responding. But peaceful protests have been met with a heavy police response, and some people in the crowds have looted and vandalized property.
Our journalists report witnessing numerous instances of looting, but also a heavy use of force from law enforcement that has at times been directed even at those same journalists. Our own Adolfo-Guzman Lopez reports being shot in the throat with a rubber bullet.
Following are some of their images from Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Los Angeles.
(Fair warning: Some of the images are graphic or contain language that some may find offensive)
(FOR THE LATEST UPDATES, READ: LA Protests Over Death Of George Floyd Stretch Into 5th Day)
I just got hit by a rubber bullet near the bottom of my throat. I had just interviewed a man with my phone at 3rd and Pine and a police officer aimed and shot me in the throat, I saw the bullet bounce onto the street @LAist @kpcc OK, that’s one way to stop me, for a while pic.twitter.com/9C2u5KmscG
— Adolfo Guzman-Lopez (@AGuzmanLopez) June 1, 2020
The rubber bullet hit stings like a mf, and is starting to hurt, talked to doctor friends, said if not having trouble breathing then ok. Going home. So here are the pix I took reporting at 3rd & Pine in downtown LB pic.twitter.com/JdNW2HR0FZ
— Adolfo Guzman-Lopez (@AGuzmanLopez) June 1, 2020
— Adolfo Guzman-Lopez (@AGuzmanLopez) June 1, 2020
“We love Long Beach! Please don’t hurt us!” pic.twitter.com/geoYnjCDjQ
— Adolfo Guzman-Lopez (@AGuzmanLopez) June 1, 2020
People were stealing from the Cavalli men’s shop and the clothing store next door at 3rd St & Pine Ave in downtown Long Beach before officers moved in to stop them pic.twitter.com/eCh4L9BqVV
— Adolfo Guzman-Lopez (@AGuzmanLopez) June 1, 2020
This woman has been trying to tell everyone there’s a fire inside REI pic.twitter.com/YOTNAZhwZ1
— Emily Guerin (@guerinemily) May 31, 2020
Outside REI pic.twitter.com/gLsmNkGcPB
— Emily Guerin (@guerinemily) May 31, 2020
Women pose with graffiti on 4th and Broadway. I saw someone spray paint this just an hour or so ago. pic.twitter.com/fdy75zRzD0
— Emily Guerin (@guerinemily) May 31, 2020
A man poses in front of a broken store window pic.twitter.com/XSvW7P7p5d
— Emily Guerin (@guerinemily) June 1, 2020
Store on fire, third street promenade in Santa Monica pic.twitter.com/xrM0TUCKjG
— Emily Guerin (@guerinemily) June 1, 2020
People are stealing from @patagonia . I heard one guy say, “anyone need a sweater for your kids?” pic.twitter.com/Fm8iwPzTTa
— Emily Guerin (@guerinemily) June 1, 2020
People currently smashing the door of the @Chase in Santa Monica. Note the big dollar sign scrawled on the door. pic.twitter.com/sdMP0Wag0L
— Emily Guerin (@guerinemily) June 1, 2020
A smashed @chase ATM with “Reform” scrawled on it pic.twitter.com/a3bk0AUp9I
— Emily Guerin (@guerinemily) June 1, 2020
Aftermath of looting on 4th St in Santa Monica. Wait for the mural at the end. It’s...heavy. pic.twitter.com/t3rrTnVBmZ
— Emily Guerin (@guerinemily) June 1, 2020
This is Los Angeles City Hall right now. Protesters on steps, stopped by metal barricades, police and National Guard. @LAist pic.twitter.com/RgtNH8RaFW
— Robert Garrova (@robertgarrova) June 1, 2020
National Guard officer takes a breather at Pershing Square. Heard older woman asking where she could catch a bus. National Guard wasn’t sure but tried to help point in right direction. pic.twitter.com/a0g9PbH3yb
— Robert Garrova (@robertgarrova) June 1, 2020
Crowd moving closer to National Guard. Chants of ‘no justice no peace.’ Organizers asking protesters to move back. pic.twitter.com/RrRrXxDRrG
— Robert Garrova (@robertgarrova) June 1, 2020
— Robert Garrova (@robertgarrova) June 1, 2020
“Take a knee and we will leave right now.” pic.twitter.com/Hd5oLzctWU
— Robert Garrova (@robertgarrova) June 1, 2020
Moving down Hill towards 2nd now. Revving engines. pic.twitter.com/c9sjXBdtFm
— Robert Garrova (@robertgarrova) June 1, 2020