Black Lives Matter protesters interrupt Garcetti's speech

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - Black Lives Matter protesters and other activists interrupted a speech by Mayor Eric Garcetti at a town hall meeting in South Los Angeles Monday night, then blocked his car as he attempted to leave.

No arrests were made, according to Los Angeles Police Department Officer Mike Lopez, but police were forced to clear a path for Garcetti's vehicle, the news media reported.

The community meeting was in its second hour at the Holman United Methodist Church when the unrest escalated, news media outlets reported.

One speaker accused Garcetti of "treating the symptoms" of a rising crime rate by sending more officers to troubled areas, news media outlets reported.

Other speakers shouted over each other, according to news media outlets. "You can boo. You can do whatever you want," Garcetti said.

The meeting ended when protesters swarmed the church altar, news media outlets reported.