Protestors clashed with authorities Thursday night after those residing in the Echo Park Lake area and advocates had been resisting a closure and clean-up of the park. 

LAPD declared an unlawful assembly as several hundred protesters gathered in the area of Lemoyne and Park Avenue. According to reports, about a dozen people were arrested. Several journalists covering the events were detained. Some background: some unhoused people and advocates had been bracing for the city of Los Angeles to close Echo Park Lake and clear the tent community. Earlier this week, city officials indicated the closure was imminent. Then, as LAPD officers in riot gear were out in force late Wednesday while city workers installed fencing around the 30-acre park, city officials announced encampment residents had until 10:30 p.m. Thursday to leave. Today on AirTalk, Larry talks with reporters about what happened, the handling of the protests and more. Were you at the protests? Have you been sheltering near Echo Park Lake? How has the clearing of the area impacted you? What has been your experience? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722. 

With files from LAist. Read the full story here. 

We reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department to invite Chief Moore or another member of the department who could address police handling of protesters and journalists on Thursday night, but as of the airing of this segment they have not responded to our request. We will update this if we receive a timely response. You can read the full statement from LAPD on the detaining of members of the media here.  

GUEST:

James Queally, LA Times reporter who covers crime and policing in Southern California, he was covering the protests at Echo Park Lake Thursday and was detained by LAPD officers; he tweets @JamesQueallyLAT