Ferguson protests in Los Angeles: 3 arrested in downtown

LOS ANGELES -- More than 250 protesters filled the streets in downtown Los Angeles and even blocked a local freeway following a grand jury's decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown.

The Los Angeles Police Department lifted its tactical alert overnight, and said three people were arrested in the downtown protests.

Dozens of protesters marched onto the 110 Freeway from Pico Boulevard around 11:20 p.m. Monday, blocking traffic in both directions. The California Highway Patrol urged the crowds to disperse at about 11:45 p.m. after declaring it an unlawful assembly. Officers were able to corral the protesters and cleared the freeway at about 12:15 a.m.

PHOTOS: Rallies held across Los Angeles to protest Ferguson decision

Earlier in the day, about 100 protesters gathered at Leimert Park as they heard the announcement from Ferguson, Missouri. The CHP stood guard at La Brea Avenue and the 10 Freeway after a handful of protesters headed down the on-ramp trying to get onto the freeway. Officers quickly moved in, but the commotion brought traffic to a crawl.

At one point, they gathered in front of the LAPD's Southwest Station before marching on toward the USC campus.

A splinter group of about 30 people peacefully protesting the grand jury decision lay down on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. A few cars got stuck in the midst of the protesters, who appeared to have left the vehicles alone.

The group shouted chants of "hands up, don't shoot," the refrain that has become a rallying cry in protests over police killings across the country.

The LAPD went on a citywide tactical alert in advance of the announcement of the grand jury's decision, allowing them to keep officers on duty beyond their normal shifts. Firefighters and police officers and about five helicopters followed the progress of the protesters.