LAPD officer injured during protest in Boyle Heights over proposed rent increase

BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A Los Angeles police officer was injured when a crowd apparently became unruly during a planned protest against rent increases, officials said Sunday.

The march started at 10 a.m. at Hollenbeck Park in Boyle Heights. Thousands participated to protest the Los Angeles Housing Department's proposed 9% rent increase for rent-controlled tenants, according to advocates.

The group says the increase is particularly tough for people living on fixed incomes at a time when prices are rising for goods and services as well as gasoline.

"The rising number of evictions, the rising rents, the amount of harassment the tenants are facing, and the fact the Housing Department isn't doing anything about this, and the City Council also isn't helping to enforce anything," said Leonardo Vilchis with the Los Angeles Tenants Union.

The Los Angeles Police Department responded to the march, which was near 1st and St. Louis streets, around 11:20 a.m.

One officer somehow sustained injuries when the crowd became unruly and was taken to the hospital, officials said. The extent of their injuries or condition are unknown.