Two Occupy protesters fight over chalking; 1 man arrested, LAPD says

An argument over chalking between two Occupy protesters escalated into a fight with one man being arrested on suspicion of battery, police said Thursday afternoon.

The argument at downtown Los Angeles' Pershing Square broke out between a protester from L.A. and one from Oakland, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The Oakland member criticized the man from Los Angeles about the quality of his chalking. That prompted the chalker to "assault the person from Oakland," said LAPD spokesman Richard French.

French said the Oakland man made a "citizen's arrest" on the L.A. member, who was arrested a short time later by police officers. 

The names and ages of the two men were not immediately released.

Earlier, police arrested another Occupy member on an outstanding warrant during a protest at Pershing Square.

The two arrests were made hours before Art Walk, a monthly event in downtown Los Angeles that broke out in violence in July when protesters clashed with police after chalking political slogans on the streets. The melee prompted a citywide tactical alert that led to 15 arrests, along with injuries to four officers.

The Oakland protesters had come to Los Angeles to join their L.A. counterparts for protests during Thursday's Art Walk.

Occupy L.A. allies bring chalk protests to Art Walk

Protesters and activists roll into L.A., chalk in hand, to take part in downtown's first Art Walk since the LAPD arrested 17 chalking suspects at the last one.

Storified by LA Times - LA NOW · Thu, Aug 09 2012 13:33:31

The man arrested after chalking came from Oakland w/ dozens of protesters to support Occupy during Art Walk tonight. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-occupy-artwalk-20120809,0,6744507.storyKate Linthicum

Occupy L.A. allies hope to turn Art Walk into chalk talkProtesters and activists roll into L.A., chalk in hand, to take part in downtown's first Art Walk since the LAPD arrested 17 chalking sus...

One man was arrested and two people were detained this morning after they helped draw a large chalk mural in downtown's Pershing Square.Kate Linthicum

Three Occupy protesters detained as chalk demonstrations beginAt least three people were detained by Los Angeles police Thursday morning during a "chalking" protest in downtown L.A.'s Pershing Square...

Occupy L.A. allies and members tweeted photos and updates on the "chalking" protest throughout the morning. 

Stupid for LAPD to have violent confrontation ovr caulk that cn B easily washed off. They just want a fight. #OSF #OLA #OO #OPDX #ChalkupyJayron

#Chalkupy is actually what #Occupy is all about. Reclaiming public space to share our message. Meeting people and talking about the issues.Rachel Allshiny

The goal of the Downtown Art Walk is to affect social change. #chalkupy is a perfect fit. PDF http://bit.ly/QJQmgV #occupyla #dtlaKim Cooper

A crime scene??? Really #LAPD? #Chalkupy #OLA #DTLA http://pic.twitter.com/D6a1x57KWalt Arrrrr

"I <3 the 1st Amendment!" #Chalkupy! This is what 'warranted' 3 arrests today. LAPD, fight crime not art! #ola #oohttp://twitpic.com/ahebxwFresh Juice Party

The cops REALLY do love chalk art :) #ows #ola @OccupyLA http://pic.twitter.com/I4jVt9Ifydnab

Soon bubbles and laughter will be outlawed. #ChalkupyLA #ChalkupyAmy

#Chalkupy is up and under way at #OccupyLA. #OSF #OO #OWS @FreshJuiceParty @therealroseanne http://pic.twitter.com/arUqriBx#pUNkBoY4hUManItY

Giant, disgusting military helicopters over downtown la. Happy art walk everybody! #occupylaJen Daley

Obviously this cat is a criminal! Quick Capt Frank save us! ~ TD #Chalkupy #ChalkWalk #A9 #GlobalChalk http://pic.twitter.com/gCoSW0kY#OccupyLA

We're unloading at pershing sq for some #Chalkupy. They already have a pressure washer out. #OLA #OOPolitical Fail Blog

We are leaving the #Bay to #LA #Chalkupy Pershing Square here we come. #solidarity @occupyoakland @occupyla @punkboyinsf #oo #ola #ows #ochiAnonymous

Meanwhile, some community members questioned the group's tactics.

I'm all for free speech, but why does Occupy LA have to protest tonight? I just want some delicious food truck food.Monica Alvarez

The only group that's extremly pleased about OccupyLA's #ChalkWalk must be the chalk manufacturing industry. #DTLAAndres Cruz

Very sad that Occupy LA thinks it's fighting corporate abuse by hijacking #DTLA's community artwalk; sad that this mvmt has devolved so muchAri José

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-- Andrew Blankstein (twitter.com/anblanx) and Robert J. Lopez (twitter.com/LAJourno)

Photo: A police officer looks over chalk art, labeled with an evidence tag, in Pershing Square on Thursday morning. Credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times