Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo neighborhood faced widespread chaos on Monday, with multiple locations experiencing shattered windows and graffiti.
State Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez (D-Los Angeles), who took office in December, expressed his anger, particularly against what he described as ‘anti-ICE rioters.’
In a press release, Gonzalez urged demonstrators to dissociate from violence, characterizing their actions as harmful and dismissive of the community’s needs.
‘Causing chaos, damaging neighborhoods, and live-streaming for likes helps no one,’ he stated.
His statement emphasized that small businesses, elders, and public spaces deserve better treatment than what had been witnessed in the demonstrations.
Furthermore, Gonzalez criticized the demonstration tactics that involved spray-painting historic landmarks and launching fireworks at police officers, indicating that such behavior did not constitute valid protest.
He remarked, ‘If you’re out here chasing clout while our neighbors are scared and storefronts are boarded up — you’re not helping, you’re harming.’
These sentiments echoed throughout the week as various politicians attempts to address the violence, theft, and vandalism linked with the protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
However, their descriptions of the rioters and agitated crowd varied.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, representing part of downtown, took a more tempered approach.
In interviews, she referred to the perpetrators as ‘agitators’ and ‘opportunists,’ acknowledging that while the majority of the protests had been peaceful, a faction took advantage of the situation for nefarious purposes.
‘Look, for the most part, this has been a peaceful protest,’ Jurado stated in an interview.
‘But there are definitely some other folks that join that are not here to support immigrants and peacefulness, but are taking this as an opportunity to do something else. And I definitely condemn that.’
In response to the unrest, Jurado has also been working on securing loans for small businesses struggling due to the vandalism and theft.
She is advocating for an additional $1 million to help cover the legal costs for immigrants facing detention or deportation.
Despite these efforts, Jurado faced challenges as one of her staff members, Luz Aguilar, was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer during protests.
Typically, staff like Aguilar would assist affected businesses, but with her arrest, Jurado had to address the situation while trying to help constituents.
The LAPD has not disclosed details regarding Aguilar’s arrest, though it has been alleged that she threw a frozen water bottle at police officers.
City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson also weighed in on the unfolding situation, emphasizing the distinction between looters and legitimate protesters.
‘Someone at midnight running around looting, even though there was a protest earlier, that person’s not a protester,’ he declared to his colleagues.
‘That person’s a looter. That person’s a criminal.’
Harris-Dawson linked the behavior of looters with celebrations following Dodgers victories, pointing out that not all individuals present during such events can be labeled as fans.
‘We don’t say Dodger fans burned a building. We say criminals burned a building,’ he said.
In light of the violence, Mayor Karen Bass declared a local state of emergency on Tuesday, officially categorizing the participants of the unrest as criminals.
In a statement conveying her frustration, she condemned the graffiti that befouled the Japanese American National Museum and other buildings, stating:
‘Anybody that is committing vandalism or violence does not give a crap about immigrants.’
Gonzalez explained that his remarks were inspired primarily by concerns from local seniors who were frightened to leave their homes amidst the protest activities.
He recounted instances where demonstrators violently confronted police, reflecting a genuine concern for the safety of the neighborhood.
Other residents shared differing perspectives, with some expressing that the disturbances had become a familiar occurrence in the area.
Increasingly chaotic scenes of celebration and unrest have been characteristic of downtown L.A. during major sporting events in the past.
Jurado mentioned potential strategies to minimize future incidents which included promoting solidarity through visible signs supporting immigrant rights in local businesses to deter vandalism.
She noted, ‘There were Little Tokyo businesses that weren’t graffitied on because they had a sign on the window that was pro-actively ‘Know your Rights,’ or against ICE.’
The increased tension over immigration enforcement has spurred the city into a complex state of urgency, prompting Mayor Bass to call on President Donald Trump to cease the ICE raids.
Bass also implemented curfews in downtown and Chinatown, reflecting an escalation in response to violence, including a heinous incident where U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was tackled by federal agents.
Concern for safety escalated to the extent that City Hall and nearby government buildings drew heavy police presence from various law enforcement agencies across the state.
The week concluded with conflicts between local leaders and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, who faced scrutiny regarding the police department’s handling of protests.
Harris-Dawson expressed frustration over the LAPD’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities, stressing that they should not be considered ‘partners’ in the context of raids occurring without warrants.
In a significant query, Councilmember Imelda Padilla asked McDonnell if the LAPD could notify city officials in advance of impending ICE actions, which McDonnell stated would be illegal.
In an internal communication, McDonnell acknowledged the emotional conflict among LAPD officers, many of whom identify as Latino and concurrently wrestled with the ramifications of the immigration sweeps.
Meanwhile, the fallout from past city events reached a new level as Councilmember John Lee provided testimony regarding a controversial trip to Las Vegas, defending himself against allegations of undisclosed gifts in violation of city law.
On another front, L.A.’s immigrant rights organizations coordinated through the Rapid Response Network, a collaborative venture involving hundreds of volunteers aimed at addressing the current climate of ICE enforcement.
Amid claims of double-counting in the city’s homeless support declarations, City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo issued clarifications in court to rectify any inaccuracies presented in prior settlements.
The mayor’s plan to hire additional police officers is in attempts to restore public safety, with a recent commitment by Harris-Dawson to identify necessary funding within an expedited timeline.
In summary, the prevailing unrest and government responses this week reveal widespread concern and unresolved tensions as L.A. grapples with the consequences of protests motivated by immigration enforcement.
Looking ahead, the City Council is set to discuss the latest emergency declaration in response to the violence against first responders and other disturbances that have beset the community.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2025-06-14/elected-officials-search-for-words-to-describe-the-vandals-and-thieves-at-downtown-protests
