Police apprehend a protester during G8 demonstrations in Los Angeles

June 19, 1999
Web posted at: 1:15 a.m. EDT (0515 GMT)

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- About 150 to 200 people protesting industrialized nations blocked traffic in downtown Los Angeles Friday before police intervened and made arrests.

Fourteen demonstrators were arrested for failure to disperse and battery on police officers, said Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Jason Lee.

The demonstration began shortly before 2 p.m. (5 p.m. ETD), with protesters clogging traffic and holding up a large sign that read: "Hey G8, Economic progress is killing the planet."

A wall of helmeted police moved in. While at the scene, the police found two suspicious packages. Nearby buildings were evacuated and bomb-squads sped to the scene, but the packages were found to be harmless.

The G-8 refers to the world's seven most industrialized nations and Russia.

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