Santa Ana PD explains reason for Monday protest curfew

City of Santa Ana issues curfew after Andres Guardado protests

City leaders in Santa Ana issued a curfew Monday night due to an evening protest for Andres Guardado. He's the 18 year old shot and killed by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy last week.

SANTA ANA, Calif. - City leaders in Santa Ana issued a curfew Monday due to a protest about 18-year-old Andres Guardado.

Corporal Anthony Bertagna from the Santa Ana Police Department described the protest as "mostly peaceful." However, he said city officials saw posts on social media promoting the destruction of property ahead of the protest, scheduled for 8 p.m. Monday, and decided to issue a curfew.

"Most protests, peaceful protests, are during the day when the governments are open, and the protests that go in a negative direction are at night, and when they're [social media posters] making threats to do damage to businesses, and harm police officers, we need to prepare in case that does occur. Obviously they don't like it, but they were given their right to protest and no one was arrested," said Bertagna.

Bertagna said protesters deployed fireworks, and one of the officers was "injured and treated at the department." He said reports from protesters saying officers deployed tear gas, and projectiles are "false."

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Art Pedroza who runs the community page, "New Santa Ana" said he questions if the city has the funds to implement curfews, and would like to see city leaders attend protests. Pedroza did not attend the protest in Santa Ana on Monday night, but attended one in his neighborhood recently.

"What got my attention was no one from the city council showed up. The mayor didn't show up. Police were there with their SWAT trucks, and I just wondered what if people just showed up from city hall and participated and took a knee with protesters?

How different of a tone would that set? I think there's a lot of fear, but I think we need to see more of an outreach effort to the people," said Pedroza.

Guardado was shot and killed by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy in Gardena, and his death has sparked outrage, and led to protests across Southern California.

A protest for Guardado is planned for Saturday at 507 W. 4th Street in Santa Ana.