Police arrested 183 people on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning during demonstrations in downtown Los Angeles in protest of a grand jury’s decision not to indict a Caucasian police officer for the shooting death of an unarmed African American teenager in Ferguson, Mo.

The arrests came during the second night of protests against the decision not to charge Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the death of slain Missouri teen, Michael Brown. Demonstrators marched from South Los Angeles into downtown, where a large group gathered in front of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Police Administration Building at 100 W. 1st St. Another group of protesters gathered near LA LIVE and Staples Center, while a third group walked on to the Hollywood (101) Freeway near Grand Avenue and blocked traffic for approximately 30 minutes until officers from the California Highway Patrol forced them to disperse.

CHP officer Kerri Rivas said the demonstrators entered the freeway at approximately 9:15 p.m., and used barricades and pieces of metal debris to stop traffic.

“About 9:45 p.m., CHP officers safely got the protesters off the freeway and all the debris,” Rivas said. “There were no injuries, but I heard there were four arrests.”

LAPD spokeswoman Diana Figueroa said the 183 people arrested late Tuesday and early Wednesday were booked for “a variety of charges.” A majority of the arrests were made at approximately 12:45 a.m. on Wednesday at the intersection of Broadway and Temple Street, where police in riot gear surrounded demonstrators who allegedly refused to disperse. Approximately 30 people were arrested following a separate protest near Flower and 9th streets.

Of the 183 arrests, 167 people were taken into custody for disturbing the peace, one suspect was arrested for felony assault of a police officer, and 15 juveniles were arrested for curfew violations. An additional nine demonstrators were arrested on Wednesday morning after they temporarily blocked traffic on the 101 Freeway near Alvarado Street, according to police.

Figueroa said the protests were mostly peaceful, and no serious injuries were reported. Media reports stated that some protesters threw bottles and confronted police. One officer was struck in the head with a bottle. Figueroa said she did not know the extent of his injuries.

The demonstrations on Tuesday were much larger than the protests on Monday, which occurred after the announcement was made about the Missouri grand jury’s decision. The announcement set off violent demonstrations in Ferguson that continued on Tuesday. However, the protests in Los Angeles on Monday were mostly peaceful.

A group of 70 demonstrators who initially gathered in Leimert Park marched north on La Brea Avenue, and at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Monday, attempted to walk up an off-ramp from the Santa Monica (10) Freeway and block traffic. California Highway Patrol spokesman Edgar Figueroa estimated that approximately 50 people marched up the off-ramp from the eastbound 10 Freeway to northbound La Brea Avenue. CHP officers blocked traffic temporarily until police forced the demonstrators to disperse.

“A few people got on to the freeway, and we forced them back for their safety,” Figueroa said. “No one was hurt and no one was arrested.”

Another group of demonstrators also temporarily blocked traffic on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills on Monday evening, briefly lying on the pavement at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive before leaving peacefully, said Sgt. Max Subin, with the Beverly Hills Police Department.

“Around thirty to forty people entered the city at Wilshire and La Cienega at around 9:30 p.m.,” Subin said. “They staged a peaceful sit-in for around four minutes at Wilshire and Rodeo Drive. No arrests were made, and we allowed them to peacefully demonstrate. We respect everyone’s right to demonstrate as long as they abide by city and state laws.”

LAPD Det. Meghan Aguilar, said another group of protesters gathered in front of the police administration building in downtown Los Angeles on Monday. The demonstration was mostly peaceful. One person was arrested for unlawful assembly, while another demonstrator was taken into custody for allegedly being drunk in public and a third individual was arrested for resisting arrest, Aguilar said.

“We are here to facilitate peaceful protests and allow those who want to exercise their First Amendment rights to do so,” Aguilar said. “For those who choose to become violent in nature, we will address that as well.”

LAPD chief Charlie Beck, Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson, 10th District, and Los Angeles Police Commission president Steve Soboroff held a press conference at the police administration building on Tuesday, and called for demonstrators to remain peaceful.

“I am proud that most of the people who protested did so peacefully,” Wesson said. “I want to commend Chief Beck for his leadership in making sure that those who wanted to peacefully protest were able to do so.”

Other local legislators issued statements about the Missouri grand jury’s decision, including Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.).

“I am deeply disturbed that a St. Louis County grand jury did not issue any indictments against officer Darren Wilson for the shooting of Michael Brown. This announcement continues a trend of injustice that has rightfully created an environment of anger and concern in Ferguson, Missouri, and across the United States,” Bass’ statement read. “From the onset, Ferguson law officials have been negligent in their handling of this tragic death. Ferguson officials botched this case from the beginning when they left Michael Brown’s body on the street for over four hours after he was killed. They were mean-spirited when they leaked information to the media to assassinate Michael Brown’s character. The Ferguson Police Department violated the constitutional rights of the Ferguson community when they attacked and tear gassed lawful protesters. And the grand jury attacked justice by not holding officer Wilson accountable for his actions. I will continue to insist that the United States Department of Justice conduct its own investigation to determine if the Ferguson police violated Michael Brown’s civil rights.”

Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer issued a statement calling on people to work together in Los Angeles to continue to bridge divides that exist in local communities.

“I certainly understand the strong feelings surrounding [the] decision,” Feuer said. “Here in Los Angeles, although we still have much to do, we’ve come far in building trust between those who enforce our laws and the communities they serve. It is even more important to continue that focus, working constructively together toward a society that is safe, just and fair for everyone.”

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also issued a statement, calling for protesters to remain peaceful.

“Michael Brown’s death has ignited deep passions across the nation, and Los Angeles is no exception,” Garcetti said in the statement. “[The] decision is one that will be heatedly debated, but we should do so through dialogue and peaceful action. City departments are mobilized to assist in the exercise of peaceful protest.”