People gathered at the Huntington Beach pier in California. Photo / APA birthday party invitation that went viral on TikTok brought hundreds of people to a raucous celebration on a Southern California beach, prompting police to declare an unlawful assembly and arrest nearly 150 people after they refused orders to disperse. Police in Huntington Beach estimate that at least 1000 people gathered by the fire pits on the sand. Video footage shows officers dressed in riot helmets closing streets to control the crowd and, in some instances, firing less-lethal rounds. A number of downtown businesses, police vehicles and a lifeguard tower were damaged, but no significant injuries were reported, she said.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 23, 2021 22:52 UTC