L.A. Protests Draw Thousands Hours after Gov. Newsom Prohibited Fourth of July Gatherings

A protest in Los Angeles on July 1 drew thousands of people hours after California governor Gavin Newsom discouraged residents from holding Independence Day gatherings with anyone outside an immediate household. A photo published by the LAPD showed protesters standing shoulder to shoulder, with many wearing masks. Los Angeles has seen a resurgence of coronavirus cases over the past week, leading some businesses to reduce or shut operations. Los Angeles police have not issued permits for mass gatherings since March 3, when Mayor Eric Garcetti issued an executive order forbidding such gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, police have not intervened to break up the gatherings. The protests are part of a wave of demonstrations in response to the death of George Floyd, an African American man killed during arrest by Minneapolis police officers, has sparked waves of massive demonstrations in major cities across the U.S. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said last week that she believed the current spike in coronavirus cases in the area were connected to increased protests. “I definitely think there’s a direct correlation between the protesters and the spike,” Barger told the local CBS affiliate. “I mean, obviously, the opening up probably threw something into it.” Barger added that the size of the crowds made contact tracing for coronavirus almost impossible. Los Angeles beaches will be closed and the city will feature no fireworks or block parties for Independence Day...MORE