Civil rights activists block Sunset Boulevard

About 100 activists supporting a group of young black defendants in Louisiana known as the “Jena Six” blocked traffic along Sunset Boulevard for about an hour this morning.

The protest was one of dozens expected in cities around the country that culminated in a demonstration in Jena, La., which drew thousands of civil rights activists. The crowd in Louisiana chanted “Free the Jena Six,” as the Rev. Al Sharpton arrived at the local courthouse with relatives of the jailed teenagers.

The protesters are demanding that authorities dismiss charges of attempted murder against six black high school students who allegedly beat up a white student.

The beating came after months of racial tension at a high school that started when white students hung nooses from a tree. Activists say Jena authorities are using Jim Crow-era policing methods by charging the six with attempted murder for a school fight.

The white student who was beaten was not seriously injured and attended a school function the same night.

Protesters in Los Angeles blocked traffic in the area of Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street and on Sunset between Bronson and Van Ness avenues, said police Officer Kate Lopez. Traffic was expected to be back to normal by the end of rush hour.

Protesters had been expected to close the ramps off Sunset Boulevard to the 101 Freeway, but organizers canceled their permit request, said California Highway Patrol Officer Francisco Villalobos.

ari.bloomekatz@latimes.com

The Associated Press contributed to this report.