L.A. mayor kneels at peaceful protest as crowd shouts "defund the police!" in Los Angeles

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and LAPD officers kneeled with peaceful protesters in downtown Los Angeles following days of unrest that prompted a curfew to be imposed from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday. The crowd chanted "Defund the police!" as Garcetti knelt, per the Los Angeles Times.

The big picture: There have been days-long clashes across the U.S. between law enforcement and demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd and other black people in police custody. But police and officials in several cities have taken to kneeling with protesters in recent days. One sheriff even marched alongside demonstrators in Michigan.

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Yesterday, Michigan Sheriff Chris Swanson set an example for law enforcement across the nation. I’m grateful for his leadership, and hope to see many more follow his lead. https://t.co/7C0lGf6GMW

— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) May 31, 2020

Los Angeles officers take a knee with clergy and marchers at LAPD Headquarters during a demonstration on Tuesday. Photo: Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images

Sheriff Chris Swanson with protesters in Flint, Michigan, posted to his Facebook page Sunday with the caption, "Building trust, and bringing our community together. Let’s create a path forward, for everyone." Photo: Sheriff Swanson/Facebook

New York City police officers show support during a Times Square protest Sunday. Other officers kneeled with protesters elsewhere in the city, after which NYPD Brooklyn assistant chief Jeffrey Maddrey asked demonstrators to remain peaceful, saying, "I don’t look at you as anything but my brothers and sisters." Photo: Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images

A man screams with emotion as a police officer takes a knee while hundreds protest in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. Several other officers later briefly took a knee in front of a line of protesters, before several fires and clashes with police began after the city's curfew came into effect. Photo: Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

A New York City police officer takes a knee during the Times Square protest. Photo: Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images

5/31/2020 - The Mayor of Niagara Falls, along with the Niagara Falls Chief of Police and Acting Niagara County Sheriff took a knee with protester out side of the Niagara Falls Police Station. Overall, the night ended peacefully with no arrest, injuries, or damage. pic.twitter.com/sarKx7CGlt

— The Action Niagara Falls (@TheAction716) June 1, 2020

Orlando Police taking a knee and uniting with protestors. Powerful scene. pic.twitter.com/Fo7oesXjzE

— J🌴 (@_PrimeFultz_) June 1, 2020

A Charlotte police officer taking a knee with everyone during a protest this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/1y5xHqvWQ5

— Jordan Herald (@JordanHerald5) May 31, 2020

Powerful image of the protest in Santa Cruz this morning. Mayor Justin Cummings and Police Chief Andrew Mills took a knee in solidarity. (📷: Shmuel Thaler.) pic.twitter.com/EQ36VNIKtC

— Heather Knight (@hknightsf) May 30, 2020

While smoke bombs go off at the #MIAMIPROTEST, at the Coral Gables #GeorgeFloydprotest earlier today, police take a knee in solidarity. Photo by @SunSentinel's Mike Stocker: pic.twitter.com/yMHnMXuQYG

— Dan Sweeney (@Daniel_Sweeney) May 31, 2020

To all the police here in salem and Portland taking knees and protesting themselves make me happy :) pic.twitter.com/K5QoHpg9VP

— Torin (@Jesus67Soviet) June 1, 2020

portland police taking a knee in solidarity with protestors #portlandprotest #portland pic.twitter.com/mDznFvtJxU

— danielle 🦋 (@kingmoodybrat) May 31, 2020

Our community is hurting, no different than communities across this country. It is time to embrace each other and...

Posted by Sheriff Chris Swanson on Sunday, May 31, 2020

Editor's note: This article has been updated with the gestures in L.A.