Protesters Shut Down 101 Ramp In LA: Highway Patrol

LOS ANGELES — The southbound ramp from U.S. Route 101 to Los Angeles Street was closed as of shortly before noon due to protest activity, according to California Highway Patrol.

Drivers were advised to use alternate routes.

Video posted by Citizen showed what appeared to be hundreds of people marching through downtown as part of an immigration protest around the time of the closure.

The demonstrations began over a week ago, occupying the streets of downtown all last week and continuing into the weekend. They were largely peaceful except for clashes Monday and a violent altercation between youths during a student march Friday.

Martin Richard Torres, a 42-year-old convicted felon and protester, was charged Monday with throwing an object at a vehicle on the 101, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.