May Day protest at LAX ends 'as planned,' official says
A protest that drew about 300 demonstrators to LAX wrapped up about 2:30 p.m. and airport officials say "everything is up and running again" as of late Tuesday afternoon.
Despite chatter and cheers from protesters downtown who claimed that LAX had been "shut down," airport spokeswoman Katherine Alvarado clarified that the rally had simply moved off airport property to the street about 1 p.m.
LAX workers and union members had started their rally inside Tom Bradley International Terminal and then marched outside to the corner of Century Boulevard and Avion Street, where the event eventually ended.
LAPD officials said at least 10 voluntary arrests were carried out Tuesday. But other than that, Sgt. Belinda Nettles, with LAX Airport Police, described the scene on Century as "orderly." The road had been closed in both directions for part of the day in preparation for the protest. It was reopened just before 3 p.m., according to officials, who said traffic is now flowing smoothly.
"Very peaceful," said LAX spokesman Albert Rodriguez. "It was all arranged prior, so everything went as planned.'
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-- Matt Stevens
Photo: Workers at Los Angeles International Airport went on a one-day general strike today to protest what labor activists call unfair practices by airlines using hired contractors instead of unionized employees. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times
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