Protesters run through Westwood in support of Trayvon Martin
Los Angeles police officers gathered on the corner of Westwood Boulevard and Lindbrook Drive, where they detained at least one protester Thursday evening.
By Amanda Schallert
July 18, 2013 11:39 p.m.
This post was updated on July 21 at 7:39 p.m.
At least one person was detained by police in Westwood Thursday while protesting a recent verdict that declared neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman not guilty for the death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin.
About 15 people took part in the protest, which participants referred to as the “Smash White Supremacy Fun Run.” The run started on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue about 7:45 p.m and lasted about 15 minutes.
Zimmerman shot and killed 17-year-old Martin in February 2012. He claimed Martin had attacked him and he had acted in self defense. The Florida jury’s not guilty decision was released late in the evening of July 13.
The trial gained national attention, and protests and riots erupted throughout the country after the not guilty verdict.
On Thursday, protesters ran through Westwood to show their disapproval of the verdict, wearing signs that read “End White Supremacy” and other messages.
After stretching for about 40 minutes, they ran or biked up Westwood Boulevard toward UCLA and then back down Westwood Boulevard.
Multiple police cars and motorcycles and a police helicopter followed the protesters as they ran in the middle of the street, until the run ended on the corner of Lindbrook Drive and and Westwood Boulevard, when one of the protesters was taken into custody.
Some of the protesters at the run Thursday said they thought the trial’s verdict demonstrated that racism remains prevalent in American courtrooms.
“It’s our duty to be down here supporting equal justice for everybody,” said Nico Ambrose, a student at the UCLA School of Law.
Ambrose said he had participated in multiple protests since he heard the verdict of Zimmerman’s trial.
“As a law student, the Trayvon Martin case is symbolic (to me) of racism in the justice system,” Ambrose said.
Demetrius Wyman, a 23-year-old Los Angeles resident, said he showed up to the protest because he was outraged by the Zimmerman verdict.
Wyman said he wanted to channel his anger in a non-violent way through the run.
At least 10 cop cars gathered at the corner of Lindbrook Drive and Westwood Boulevard around 8 p.m. during the arrest.
LAPD could not give further information on whether or not any protesters were charged with a crime.
