Los Angeles saw violent confrontations between anti-ICE protesters and law enforcement on Friday as tensions escalated during a week of heightened demonstrations. Multiple arrests were reported as demonstrators clashed with police and U.S. military personnel, including National Guard troops and Marine units. The incidents occurred following the Trump administration’s deployment of federal forces to the city amid ongoing ICE raids and deportations, a policy that has drawn strong opposition from local authorities and communities.
According to police reports, the protests began at around 9:30 a.m. near City Hall, with demonstrators marching through downtown Los Angeles. As the day progressed, tensions flared, leading to the use of less-lethal munitions by federal authorities to disperse the crowd. The Department of Homeland Security officially declared the gathering an ‘unlawful assembly,’ prompting federal agents and the National Guard to intervene with riot gear and orders for the crowd to disperse.
The situation has been further complicated by the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement measures, which have led to the abandonment of local Fourth of July celebrations by cities near Los Angeles. These actions have intensified community concerns about the impact of federal policies on local populations. Demonstrators have been actively opposing the increased presence of military personnel and federal agents in the city, with some reports indicating that the protests have drawn support from a wide range of community groups.
Independent journalist Anthony Cabassa noted that the deployment of federal forces has led to a significant escalation in tensions, with demonstrators facing off against Marines and federal agents in what has been described as a ‘confrontation’ rather than a peaceful protest. The clashes underscore the growing divide between federal immigration enforcement policies and the concerns expressed by residents in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.