For the fourth consecutive day, downtown Los Angeles became the epicenter of intense protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as activists rallied in response to recent immigration enforcement operations that led to multiple arrests.
The protests began on Friday after local ICE officials carried out operations in the Westlake District and parts of downtown Los Angeles and South LA, resulting in the apprehension of numerous individuals allegedly unauthorized to be in the country.
In reaction to the escalating protests, President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of National Guard troops into the area, which saw hundreds of guardsmen and about 700 active-duty Marines arrive in Los Angeles in response to the situation.
As protesters filled the streets, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported 50 arrests over the weekend alone.
These arrests included serious charges, such as assault with a deadly weapon on police officers, looting, arson, and failure to disperse.
In a striking development, the LAPD declared many gatherings unlawful, insisting that protesters disband and go home.
The tensions peaked over the weekend when LAPD officers, alongside National Guard troops, donned riot gear while monitoring the demonstration near the Metropolitan Detention Center.
Reports indicated that officers utilized tear gas and non-lethal rounds to disperse crowds that had gathered in significant numbers to protest.
Buildings, street signs, and public transportation vehicles were vandalized with anti-ICE graffiti as the protests grew increasingly chaotic.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a stern warning on social media, affirming that anyone who harmed law enforcement officers would face rigorous prosecution.
On Monday afternoon, large crowds re-assembled outside the Robert Young Federal Building, with demonstrators pressing against a barricade of National Guard troops.
Although the protest was mostly peaceful initially, tension escalated by evening, resulting in minor clashes between some protesters and police officers.
At various points, LAPD deployed rubber bullets and pepper-filled projectiles to control the crowd, which reportedly included hundreds of people.
By 9:30 p.m., many protesters had cleared from the downtown area, but a significant number remained at 2nd Street and San Pedro Street, where they faced a line of law enforcement vehicles extending three city blocks.
The evening took a more violent turn with some protesters hurling fireworks at police and attempting to push a large trash bin towards law enforcement lines.
Officers retaliated by deploying smoke-filled canisters in attempts to disperse the unruly crowd.
Late into the night, individuals set fires and constructed barricades using debris and objects gathered from the streets, further heightening tensions in the area.
After a series of protests in which demonstrators blocked the 101 Freeway and violently vandalized properties, including the LAPD Headquarters and a federal courthouse, the LAPD again called for a tactical alert.
In response to the pervasive unrest, LAPD officials clarified their methods of crowd dispersal, stating that their use of handheld CS gas canisters was authorized to dismantle barricades erected by angry demonstrators.
Over 600 rounds of less-lethal munitions were reportedly used to manage the crowd effectively.
As cleanup crews worked early Monday morning to remove debris left behind from the demonstrations, Governor Gavin Newsom commented on the federal response to the protests.
Newsom criticized President Donald Trump’s actions on social media, asserting that the deployment of the National Guard was not about public safety but rather about the President’s ego.
He highlighted that while 2,000 troops were initially promised, only about 300 were actively on the ground, and much of the deployment appeared to be ineffective.
LAPD Chief McDonnell warned that the anticipated arrival of federal military forces posed logistical challenges for local law enforcement agencies.
In response to the deployment of U.S. Marines to the area, Newsom announced plans for a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, claiming the federalization of the California National Guard was unnecessary and counterproductive.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta described the situation as detrimental to the National Guard’s role in protecting the state and preparing for emergencies.
Bonta’s lawsuit suggested that the President’s actions exceeded the federal government’s constitutional authority as defined by the Tenth Amendment.
Both Newsom and Bonta pledged to put up a legal battle against Trump’s unilateral decision-making regarding troop deployment and the ensuing chaos in Los Angeles.
In particular, the public outcry stemmed from the immigration enforcement operations executed throughout Los Angeles, beginning with planned actions in the Westlake District, downtown, and South LA.
Reports from ICE confirmed the execution of federal search warrants, which led to the arrest of 44 individuals at one operation site, sparking protests across the city.
Among those detained was David Huerta, the president of the Service Employees International Union-United Services Workers West, arrested for obstructing federal officers during their operation.
The unrest fueled protests that extended beyond Los Angeles, with demonstrators gathering in cities like Santa Ana and San Diego to voice their opposition to ICE’s practices.
In Santa Ana, clashes between protesters and law enforcement resulted in the deployment of crowd control measures, including tear gas and pepper ball rounds.
Police Chief Robert Rodriguez clarified that lawful assemblies turn unlawful when they escalate into violence, expressing a commitment to restore order.
Similarly, in San Diego, demonstrators flocked to a federal building to condemn the recent immigration operations.
San Francisco experienced thousands participating in protests, most of which remained peaceful until small groups committed acts of vandalism, leading to multiple arrests.
As the protests continued, fear gripped several neighborhoods in Los Angeles, particularly for vulnerable residents wary of immigration enforcement practices in their communities.
Mayor Arturo Flores from Huntington Park held a press conference denouncing the federal operations that took place early Monday morning, highlighting the negative effects of such policies on public safety.
LA Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho also condemned the rise in immigration enforcement operations, which he interpreted as intimidation tactics against school communities.
As a protective measure, he directed the school district’s police force to heighten security around school events, especially with graduation season underway, ensuring parents felt safe in attending ceremonies.
This wave of protests across various locations in California echoes a larger national sentiment against controversial immigration policies under the Trump administration as activists seek to challenge the enforcement measures deployed by ICE and the federal government.
As tensions remain high in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, the protests against ICE and the federal presence signal a growing demand for reform and accountability in immigration practices.
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