Five people protesting 'Big Money' arrested outside downtown bank

Five people affiliated with a group that is demanding banks to be transparent about their campaign contributions to the 2012 presidential candidates were arrested Thursday morning during a protest outside a downtown bank branch, Los Angeles police said.

The arrests took place about 11:30 a.m. at the Citibank branch at 4th and Flower streets. The protesters were among a group of 30 people who marched from Pershing Square.

Those arrested -- including three men and two women -- were booked for failure to disperse and for blocking the sidewalk, LAPD officials said.

The protesters are part of 99Rise, which the group describes on its website as "a nationwide movement waging nonviolent struggle to get Big Money out of American politics."

Members of the group were acting in solidarity with group members in New York who staged a similar bank protest that also led to arrests.

Last month, eight members of 99Rise were arrested at a similar protest at a downtown Bank of America branch, Los Angeles police said.

ALSO:

Nearly 160 LAPD jobs could be cut in City Hall plan, chief says

Tom Cruise files lawsuit against magazine over 'vicious' Suri lies

Utilities panel launches probe of troubled San Onofre nuclear plant

-- Andrew Blankstein and Mark Boster

Photo: One of the five people arrested Thursday morning during a protest outside a downtown bank branch is escorted by police. Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times