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About 10 People Being Arrested at LAX May Day Protest [UPDATED]
An estimated 10 protesters are facing imminent arrest outside Los Angeles International Airport. The Los Angeles Police Department are working to control the permitted protest, however they are currently directing participants unwilling to be arrested to move aside.
A group of protesters seated on Century Boulevard who are willing to be arrested are staying put as the LAPD clears the area, and will likely be taken into custody shortly.
A LAPD rep tells a reporter from KTLA live on-air that the protesters will be arrested for a misdemeanor charge of "failure to disperse," and are expected to spend "a few hours" in jail.
Some of those protesters have indicated they are not LAX employees.
Meanwhile, LAX officials report that flight operations are normal despite the protests.
Drivers are warned that they will likely encounter planned intermittent, temporary closures of Century Boulevard between Airport Boulevard and the Central Terminal area.
Protesters arrived to begin a strike at LAX at 3:30 this morning. An estimated 1,200 people, including airport workers, religious leaders, janitors and other unions are expected to be taking part in the May Day action.
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UPDATE 2:30 PM The intersection of Century and Avion remains closed, though much of the crowd has dispersed. The LAPD are wrapping up the peaceful arrests of the protesters who remained seated on the street after an unlawful assembly was declared.
LAX officials have issued the following warning about traffic in the area:
Due to traffic congestion on northbound Sepulveda Boulevard diverted to the 96th Street Bridge to enter LAX, all motorists headed to LAX (including those from south of the airport) are advised to use Howard Hughes Parkway and take southbound Sepulveda Boulevard to access the airport.
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