Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 | 8:23 a.m.
Organizers of a protest of new Las Vegas ordinances affecting the homeless say 12 demonstrators were taken into custody.
About 100 protesters blocked a downtown street Monday to voice their opposition to two city laws that ban camping. They had tents, sleeping bags and cardboard boxes.
One ordinance prohibits camping out on sidewalks if there are available beds at a shelter. The second bans sitting or camping on city sidewalks during street cleaning hours. Violation of either law could result in a misdemeanor.
Police Lt. Jeff Stuart says about a dozen people were arrested after they refused to move from the road.
It was not immediately known Tuesday what charges they might face.
Opponents of the ordinances have been protesting since the first ordinance was passed in November. Supporters of the measures say they are necessary for public safety and sanitation.
