Police clashed with celebrants at a crowded street festival Sunday, setting off a stampede and melee that injured at least 18 people, including six police officers.

At least 10 people were arrested at the Cinco de Mayo celebration of Mexican heritage, which drew between 200,000 and 500,000 people, said Los Angeles police Officer Don Cox.At about 5 p.m., people jammed around a festival stage as they waited for a show to begin. But police decided to cancel the performance because they thought the crowd, which was pressing against the stage, was a safety hazard.

Some people got upset and started throwing rocks and bottles, Cox said. Then police started firing rubber bullets at the ground, sending hundreds stampeding from the stage area.

About 600 officers - many on horses or in riot gear - and 800 private security guards began clearing the 36-block downtown festival area about 5:30 p.m., half an hour before it was set to close.

There was some minor looting and gunfire, and six officers were assaulted, police said.

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Paramedics took 12 people to hospitals with minor injuries, the Fire Department said. One of them, a 27-year-old man, remained hospitalized Monday under observation for chest pain.

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