LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: A man throws a Molotov cocktail as another loots a business on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax District during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020.
Daylight revealed the destruction left behind in the Fairfax District after it became the epicenter of violence in Los Angeles that broke out after peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd.
In the 7600 block of Melrose Avenue, businesses continued to smolder hours after fires in the area that kept firefighters on the move throughout a whirlwind night of destruction. Dozens of businesses, some of which had just been allowed to reopen due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions, had shattered windows and other damage.
Los Angeles' Fairfax District was the epicenter of a violent night. Gene Kang reports for Today in LA Weekend on Sunday May 31, 2020.
On Fairfax Avenue, the charred remains of several piles of debris could be seen on the street. By Saturday morning, a National Guard unit was posted at a nearby intersection.
About 1,000 Guard members were called into Los Angeles overnight to help restore calm.
Officers remained at the Grove shopping center early Saturday, posted at entrances to secure the location hit hard by vandals and looters. Thieves could be seen running through broken storefronts hours earlier with shoes, clothes and other merchandise as a citywide curfew went into effect.
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Looters emerge from a store with merchandise during a riot on May 31, 2020 in Santa Monica, California folling a peaceful rally which was held earlier in the day expressing outrage over the death of George Floyd. – Thousands of National Guard troops patrolled major US cities after five consecutive nights of protests over racism and police brutality that boiled over into arson and looting, sending shock waves through the country. The death Monday of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in Minneapolis ignited this latest wave of outrage in the US over law enforcement’s repeated use of lethal force against African Americans — this one like others before captured on cellphone video.
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Looters emerge from a store with merchandise during a riot on May 31, 2020 in Santa Monica, California folling a peaceful rally which was held earlier in the day expressing outrage over the death of George Floyd. – Thousands of National Guard troops patrolled major US cities after five consecutive nights of protests over racism and police brutality that boiled over into arson and looting, sending shock waves through the country. The death Monday of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in Minneapolis ignited this latest wave of outrage in the US over law enforcement’s repeated use of lethal force against African Americans — this one like others before captured on cellphone video.
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People run off with merchandise from a store during widespread protests and unrest in response to the death of George Floyd on May 31, 2020 in Santa Monica, California. Protests continue in cities throughout the country after Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis. The National Guard has been deployed in Los Angeles and other major US cities to attempt to stem the tide of rising violence and unrest, with President Donald Trump blaming ANTIFA and tweeting they will be designated a terrorist organization.
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California National Guard is seen parked at the Los Angeles Convention Center after demonstrators protested the death of George Floyd in Los Angeles, California on May 31, 2020. – Thousands of National Guard troops patrolled major US cities after five consecutive nights of protests over racism and police brutality that boiled over into arson and looting, sending shock waves through the country. The death Monday of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in Minneapolis ignited this latest wave of outrage in the US over law enforcement’s repeated use of lethal force against African Americans — this one like others before captured on cellphone video.
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A man walks past a defaced LAPD vehicle in the Fairfax District, an area damaged during yesterday’s unrest, following violent demonstrations in response to George Floyd’s death on May 31, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. California Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was taken into custody for Floyd’s death. Chauvin has been accused of kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he pleaded with him about not being able to breathe. Floyd was pronounced dead a short while later. Chauvin and 3 other officers, who were involved in the arrest, were fired from the police department after a video of the arrest was circulated.
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Volunteers walk past a store marked black owned in an attempt to deter people damaging or looting their business, after demonstrations followed by unrest protesting the murder of George Floyd, on May 31, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The National Guard has been deployed in Los Angeles and other major US cities to attempt to stem the tied of rising violence and unrest, with President Donald Trump blaming ANTIFA and tweeting they will be designated a terrorist organization.
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A young boy photographs the remains of a burnt-out car, after demonstrations followed by unrest protesting the murder of George Floyd, on May 31, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The National Guard has been deployed in Los Angeles and other major US cities to attempt to stem the tied of rising violence and unrest, with President Donald Trump blaming ANTIFA and tweeting they will be designated a terrorist organization.
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People walk past graffiti outside a store on the iconic Rodeo Drive, after demonstrators protested the death of George Floyd in Beverly Hills, California on May 31, 2020. – Thousands of National Guard troops patrolled major US cities after five consecutive nights of protests over racism and police brutality that boiled over into arson and looting, sending shock waves through the country. The death Monday of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in Minneapolis ignited this latest wave of outrage in the US over law enforcement’s repeated use of lethal force against African Americans — this one like others before captured on cellphone video.
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The National Guard are stationed in front of the Farmers Market on 3rd and Fairfax, on May 31, 2020.
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The National Guard are stationed in front of Fairfax Avenue, on May 31, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 31: U.S. National Guard troops keep watch in the Fairfax District, an area damaged during unrest.
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California National Guard members arrive in downtown Los Angeles Saturday May 31, 2020.
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Volunteers clean up anti-Semitic graffiti at Beth Israel synagogue in the Fairfax District Sunday May 31, 2020 after a night of vandalism.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: Looters target businesses on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax District during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020.
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A destroyed car is removed from the Fairfax District Sunday May 31, 2020.
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California National Guard members arrive in downtown Los Angeles Saturday May 31, 2020.
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California National Guard members arrive in downtown Los Angeles Saturday May 31, 2020.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: Graffiti is seen on a looted business on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax District during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The vast majority of protestors demonstrated peacefully. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was taken into custody for Floyd’s death. Chauvin has been accused of kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he pleaded with him about not being able to breathe. Floyd was pronounced dead a short while later. Chauvin and 3 other officers, who were involved in the arrest, were fired from the police department after a video of the arrest was circulated. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: A man throws a Molotov cocktail as another loots a business on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax District during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020.
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Demonstrators kneel as they block an intersection in the Fairfax District in Los Angeles, California on May 30, 2020.
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People smash a police vehicle in the Fairfax District in Los Angeles, California on May 30, 2020.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 30: People are seen at a gathering at Pan Pacific Park on Saturday, May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: An LAPD vehicle burns after being set alight by protestors during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: An LAPD officer aims a nonlethal weapon during a confrontation with protestors at a Black Lives Matter protest following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Protests have erupted nationwide after Floyd died while in the custody of police in Minneapolis. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: An LAPD vehicle burns after being set alight by protestors during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 30: Protestors march during a demonstration organized by Black Lives Matter following the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 29: Demonstrators gather on an overpass of the 110 Freeway while police officers gather below in response to the police killing of George Floyd on May 29, 2020 in Los Angeles.
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Demonstrators face a row of police as they block a road leading to the 110 freeway to protest the death of George Floyd, in downtown Los Angeles.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 29: Demonstrators shut down the Freeway 110 North in downtown Los Angeles response to the police killing of George Floyd on May 29, 2020 in Los Angeles.
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A demonstrator confronts police as he protests the death of George Floyd, in Los Angeles, California on May 29, 2020.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 29: Demonstrators lights fireworks while they shut down the Freeway 110 North in downtown Los Angeles response to the police killing of George Floyd on May 29, 2020 in Los Angeles.
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A demonstrator holds up a sign outside City Hall as he protests the death of George Floyd, outside police headquarters in Los Angeles, California on May 29, 2020.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 29: Demonstrators shut down the northbound 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles in response to the police killing of George Floyd on May 29, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
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A protester rides a skateboard on the 110 northbound freeway in downtown Los Angeles.
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Protesters block the 110 northbound and southbound freeway in downtown Los Angeles Friday May 29, 2020.
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A protester stands above the nrothbound 110 freeway in Los Angeles Friday May 29. 2020.
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A drone aerial view shows United States National Guard troops gathered at the Los Angeles Convention Center after being activated by California Governor Gavin Newsom following violent demonstrations in response to George Floyd’s death on May 31, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was taken into custody for Floyd’s death. Chauvin has been accused of kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he pleaded with him about not being able to breathe. Floyd was pronounced dead a short while later. Chauvin and 3 other officers, who were involved in the arrest, were fired from the police department after a video of the arrest was circulated.
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Demonstrators face a row of police as they block a road leading to the 110 freeway to protest the death of George Floyd, in downtown Los Angeles, California on May 29, 2020.
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A girl jumps holding a sign (Justice Now!) while she and her family protest in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles on May 30, 2020.
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People participate in a peaceful demonstration in Santa Monica on Sunday, May 31, 2020.
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People participate in a peaceful demonstration in Santa Monica on Sunday, May 31, 2020.
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A LAPD kiosk outside one of the shopping center stores was burned. Graffiti was spray painted onto several buildings.
Looters cleaned out an Apple store on Melrose Avenue.
Trash bins that had been pushed onto the street remained scattered on streets. Some were charred due to fires inside the bins.
"When the sun comes up, people are nursing their headaches and wondering why," said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. "It's disappointing, because there were peaceful protests. Some came to protest behind the tragic murder of George Floyd, but there were other people who couldn't care less about that. For them, it was just an opportunity to vandalize and loot."
Several cities also set curfews as protesters refused to disband and started to turn violent. Jonathan Gonzalez reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. May 31, 2020.
Villanueva said the National Guard helped deny access to some areas, allowing law enforcement to focus on arresests. It was not immediately clear how many people were arrested.
The curfew expired early Saturday morning. Several streets in the Fairfax District remained at least partially closed.
Earlier Saturday, a group of people marching in protest over the death of George Floyd from nearby Pan Pacific Park clashed with police near the intersection of Melrose Avenue and Fairfax Boulevard. Police vehicles were set on fire at what became a flashpoint for the violence.
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Brian Humphrey said the department responded to 49 calls within the first 30 minutes of the day, according to City News Service.
"At this point in time we're not aware of any pre-hospital loss of life in the areas impacted by social insurgents," he said.
