Peaceful protest of police shootings held in downtown LA

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11/AP) - More than 200 people gathered in LA Thursday night to show their support and to stand in solidarity in the wake of the shooting deaths of Anton Sterling and Philando Castile.

Black Lives Matter protesters started at City Hall before peacefully heading to downtown LA streets.

Many protesters spoke of the need for change.

There were similar peaceful gatherings in other cities including New York and Washington, as a protest in Dallas turned deadly.

The attack in Dallas began Thursday night during a protest about the recent killings by police of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota. Five officers were killed and seven others were wounded. Two civilians were also wounded.

LA police Chief Charlie Beck responded to the tragedy, writing on Twitter, 'Blue lives matter, they are willingly given and senselessly taken. Tragedy beyond belief. #PrayforDPD.'

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