In the wake of aggressive federal immigration enforcement, downtown Los Angeles has become a hotspot for protests that have sparked both peaceful demonstrations and violent confrontations. The recent actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, coupled with President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy military forces, have intensified the atmosphere of fear and unrest among migrant communities and citizens alike.
Beginning on June 6, ICE agents conducted a series of immigration raids across Southern California. Initial reports included accounts of federal agents pursuing individuals in a Home Depot parking lot in the Westlake area near downtown Los Angeles. Around 3 p.m. local time, demonstrators began to gather in the downtown Fashion District in response to the perceived threat from the federal agents. Aerial footage captured by ABC News affiliates showed ICE agents apprehending individuals and loading them into white passenger vehicles, prompting protesters to attempt to obstruct their departure, even physically lying down in the path of one vehicle.
As the sun set, a larger crowd assembled outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse. Demonstrators rallied against the immigration raids, some vandalizing federal property and clashing with law enforcement. Police responded with batons, riot gear, and tear gas to disperse the increasingly unruly crowd. At 10 p.m., the LAPD declared an unlawful assembly and instructed those in the area to vacate.
On June 7, concerns over more ICE raids led to significant protests in various neighborhoods, including Paramount. Reports circulated suggesting federal agents would target a Home Depot in the area, prompting the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to order dispersal and deploy tear gas. Mayor Karen Bass refuted claims of any ICE presence in Los Angeles County, clarifying that the building in question was merely being used as a staging area for federal resources.
That Saturday evening, President Trump authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, citing the need to restore order amid what he described as lawlessness. This unprecedented federal intervention without the governor’s consent drew immediate backlash from local leaders, with Mayor Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom accusing Trump of escalating tensions and abusing presidential powers. Protests continued into the night, marked by further violence as demonstrators hurled fireworks and projectiles at police who retaliated with non-lethal munitions.
On June 8, the early morning hours saw National Guard troops arrive in L.A., taking position around the federal building. This marked a significant moment in U.S. history, as it was the first time a president had mobilized a state’s National Guard without the governor’s agreement since President Lyndon B. Johnson did so in 1965. The following day, a coalition of 22 Democratic governors released a statement condemning Trump’s actions as an alarming abuse of power. They argued that the federal government’s intervention in state matters without consultation undermined state authority and safety.
Despite this intervention, protests surged, with demonstrators chanting anti-Trump slogans and shutting down parts of the 101 Freeway, leading to confrontations between protestors and law enforcement. Moreover, LAPD reported injuries among officers due to clashes with motorcyclists attempting to breach police lines. At a press conference, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell cautioned about the dangers posed by the fireworks directed at officers, adding to the already tense situation.
On June 9, LAPD declared the ongoing protests in downtown L.A. acts of unlawful assembly, demanding people vacate the area or face arrest. The military confirmed that 700 Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines were also being deployed in a show of force to support law enforcement. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Newsom prepared to initiate a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming that the president had overstepped federal boundaries to infringe upon California’s sovereignty.
Tensions escalated further when President Trump, during a White House return from Camp David, suggested that it would be “great” if ICE were to arrest Governor Newsom, despite no such plans, as stated by ICE officials. Newsom condemned the president’s authoritarian rhetoric, asserting that Trump’s actions mirrored those of a dictator rather than a democratically elected leader.
By June 10, President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico condemned the U.S. for criminalizing migration, asserting that Mexican immigrants contribute positively to the U.S. economy. President Trump was questioned about the potential use of the Insurrection Act in response to protests, to which he replied that he would consider invoking it if there were an insurrection. He characteristically labeled protesters as paid insurrectionists without providing evidence for such claims.
In response to the escalating chaos in downtown L.A., Mayor Bass instituted an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in areas plagued by vandalism and violence. She reported on the extensive looting of local businesses while announcing plans to convene with state and local leaders regarding the continuation of the curfew, likely spanning several days.
Governor Newsom reiterated his opposition to President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard, claiming that the president prioritized political theatrics over the safety of California residents. He denounced the ongoing ICE raids as indiscriminate attacks on hard-working immigrant families across the state.
Adding to the federal response, the Department of Defense announced the mobilization of an additional 2,100 California National Guard members to support ICE in operations, raising the total number of National Guard personnel deployed to over 4,000.
The situation continues to unfold, highlighting the tensions between federal authority and state response amid an environment fraught with fear for immigrant communities and unrest across California.
image source from：https://abcnews.go.com/US/timeline-ice-raids-sparked-la-protests-prompted-trump/story?id=122688437
