INS Detention Center Stirs Melee

Seven members of the Revolutionary Youth Brigade--protesting a detention center for illegal immigrants--were arrested Saturday when their demonstration at MacArthur Park erupted into a bottle-throwing confrontation with police, authorities said.

Four people were arrested for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon and three for investigation of rioting in the melee that drew 700 onlookers and created a “tremendous traffic problem,” said Los Angeles Police Sgt. Alex Salazar.

“They dragged park benches and picnic tables into intersections and burned trash cans,” Salazar said. “Then they started throwing rocks and bottles at passing vehicles and pedestrians . . . and police.”

Salazar said 30 officers were called to control the disturbance that was apparently connected to the group’s objections to a nearby Immigration and Naturalization Service detention center at Pico Boulevard and Alvarado Street.