San Francisco police arrested about 60 people, including juveniles, after a protest in the city's Financial District escalated into violence on Sunday evening, resulting in injuries to two officers and significant property damage, authorities said,
NBC Bay Area reports.
In a statement, the San Francisco Police Department said the violence began around 7 p.m. at the intersection of Sansome and Washington streets, where officers were monitoring a demonstration. Hundreds of protesters had gathered outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office at Sansome Street, carrying signs and chanting slogans against ongoing federal immigration enforcement and the recent deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles.
According to police, some individuals in the crowd became violent, allegedly committing crimes that included assault and felony vandalism.
As the gathering was declared an unlawful assembly, many demonstrators dispersed. However, police said that others continued to engage in what was described as illegal activity. Two officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and one of them had to be transported to a hospital for treatment.
As the unrest spread to Market and Kearny streets, protesters allegedly vandalized buildings and a police patrol vehicle. Police said some participants split from the main group and continued damaging property in surrounding areas.
A smaller group then moved to the 200 block of Montgomery Street, where officers issued dispersal orders. After repeated warnings were ignored, police carried out arrests.
