Background of the LA Protests
HOLY HELL!
Look at what’s happening in LA!
Someone call the National Guard!
Oh, wait… that’s Jan 6… my bad 😳pic.twitter.com/Lioi15FdxT
— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) June 8, 2025
The streets of Los Angeles have been engulfed in tension as the LA protests erupted in response to federal immigration sweeps that began on Friday, June 6, 2025. These operations, led by ICE, targeted multiple locations in central Los Angeles, resulting in at least 44 detentions, though some reports suggest over 120 arrests by late Saturday.
🚨 OVERNIGHT IN LA: Low IQ Illegal Aliens light themselves on FIRE after dousing Jeep with gasoline and lighting it.
Do you feel bad for these guys?
📹 via @iAnonPatriot pic.twitter.com/4OyDaSZiMG
— Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) June 8, 2025
The LA protests have drawn thousands of Angelenos to City Hall, the federal courthouse, and the Metropolitan Detention Center, where detained protesters are being held. The demonstrations, initially peaceful, were a direct reaction to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and his controversial deployment of the National Guard to the city.
Waymo self-driving taxis set ablaze in downtown Los Angeles during the third day of demonstrations opposing ICE and Donald Trump’s immigration policy. [Photograph: Jonathan Alcorn/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock]
Escalation and Clashes in Downtown LA
OMG… A Blackhawk helicopter has landed in California carrying “dozens of boxes of ammunition, less lethal weaponry. You see these tanks with flammable labels on the side—as if they were getting ready for a major battle.” This is REALLY bad. pic.twitter.com/X9N1mytyHX
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) June 8, 2025
The LA protests turned chaotic over the weekend, particularly on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Protesters clashed with law enforcement near Union Station and the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building. A driver was arrested after allegedly veering a van toward demonstrators, circling multiple times in an apparent attempt to intimidate. Sounds resembling gunfire were reported from the vehicle, though LAPD Officer Tony Im stated there was no confirmation of actual gunfire, and no injuries were reported from this incident. The driver fled after striking a utility pole but was later apprehended by Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputies.
This is the current situation in Los Angeles, United States. US seems to be preparing to deploy Marines after the National Guard was deployed and yet failed to control the violence and rioting. Situation is going out of hand. US is the new Third world. pic.twitter.com/iyZjr8BeOV
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 9, 2025
The LAPD declared downtown Los Angeles an unlawful assembly by Sunday night, expanding the order from the Civic Center to the entire downtown area. “Downtown Los Angeles has been declared as an UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY. You are to leave the Downtown Area immediately,” the LAPD Central Division announced via X at 9:35 PM PDT.
Downtown Los Angeles has been declared as an UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY.
You are to leave the Downtown Area immediately.
— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) June 9, 2025
At least 10 people were arrested during the LA protests, with three officers sustaining minor injuries. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell described the violence as “disgusting,” noting that masked protesters threw commercial-grade fireworks, hammers, cinder blocks, and concrete at officers and the public.
A protester strikes a Waymo self-driving vehicle with a skateboard while another burns in the background during a demonstration against federal immigration raids. [Photograph: Jill Connelly/Reuters]
101 Freeway Shutdown and Waymo Vandalism
Cars set ablaze in Los Angeles in the United States during rioting. pic.twitter.com/ax5fVV5f5Y
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 9, 2025
The LA protests spilled onto the 101 Freeway, where demonstrators threw objects onto southbound lanes, damaging multiple police vehicles. The LAPD shut down the freeway until further notice, with the California Highway Patrol arresting 17 individuals. “Due to demonstrators throwing objects onto the SB lanes of the 101 Freeway and damaging multiple police vehicles, the 101 SB Freeway will remain closed until further notice,” the LAPD Central Division posted on X at 7:50 PM PDT. Adding to the chaos, several Waymo self-driving cars were vandalised near Olvera Street, with at least two set ablaze, sending thick black smoke into the sky.
⚠️Traffic Advisory⚠️ Due to demonstrators throwing objects onto the SB lanes of the 101 Freeway and damaging multiple police vehicles, the 101 SB Freeway will remain closed until further notice.
— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) June 9, 2025
National Guard Deployment Sparks Outrage
President Trump’s decision to deploy 2,000 National Guardsmen to Los Angeles, federalizing California troops to protect federal buildings, has fueled the LA protests. Governor Gavin Newsom called the move a “serious breach of state sovereignty” and announced plans to sue the Trump administration on Monday, June 9, 2025.
The California National Guard wasn’t even deployed in Los Angeles yet when this rant was posted.
Facts matter. pic.twitter.com/su1WjFW9cF
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 8, 2025
“He’s putting fuel on this fire ever since he announced he was taking over the National Guard in a legal act and a moral act, an unconstitutional act. And we’re going to test that theory with a lawsuit tomorrow,” Newsom stated on MSNBC. He further criticised Trump on X, saying, “Donald Trump has manufactured a crisis and is inflaming conditions.”
Donald Trump has manufactured a crisis and is inflaming conditions.
If he can’t solve it, we will.
To the bad actors fueling Trump’s flames — California will hold you accountable. https://t.co/QSjnHCrEOS
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 9, 2025
California leaders, including Mayor Karen Bass, echoed Newsom’s call to rescind the deployment. “The last thing this city needs is civil unrest that is provoked,” Bass said. The presence of the National Guard has intensified tensions, with protesters waving signs like “NATIONAL GUARD LOL” and “Be brave. They can’t arrest us all. NO ICE” amid tear gas and flash-bangs used by police to disperse crowds.
Glendale Ends ICE Contract Amid Protests
In a related development, the City of Glendale terminated its contract with Homeland Security and ICE to house federal detainees in its jail, a decision announced on Sunday. This move followed scrutiny from activists who argued it violated sanctuary city laws. “This local decision reflects our core values: public safety, transparency, and community trust. The Glendale Police Department does not enforce immigration laws and remains fully compliant with SB 54,” the city stated. Since January, 82 people had been detained by ICE in Glendale’s jail for six to 12 hours without booking or fingerprinting.
LAPD’s Role and Response
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell addressed claims that his department ignored ICE’s calls for help during the Los Angeles immigration raids protests. “It didn’t happen,” he said, clarifying that police responded within 38 minutes despite no advance notice of the federal operation. “We are overwhelmed,” McDonnell added, condemning the violence against officers and the public during the Los Angeles protests immigration raids. He emphasized that the LAPD does not engage in immigration enforcement, saying, “Federal authorities have the right to be able to do what they’re doing. We don’t engage in that activity.”
FBI Seeks Suspects in Paramount Assault
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of suspects who allegedly assaulted a federal officer and vandalized property in Paramount on Saturday, June 7, 2025. The incidents occurred near Alondra Boulevard, with one suspect caught on video throwing rocks at law enforcement vehicles. The violence in Paramount, though outside Los Angeles, has been conflated by some media with the LA protests, prompting U.S. Rep. Nanette Barragán to clarify, “We have everything under control… the Sheriff’s [Department] in Paramount got everything under control yesterday and LAPD has cleared out downtown last night without the help of National Guard.”
Community and Official Reactions
The LA news cycle has been dominated by the LA protests, with local leaders and residents expressing anger and fear. Mayor Bass condemned the ICE raids, stating, “As a mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place.” The City Council added, “We condemn this in no uncertain terms: Los Angeles was built by immigrants and it thrives because of immigrants.” Protester Eli Lockwood of Hacienda Heights told LAist, “We have to stand united against the attacks on the immigrant community because an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.” Meanwhile, Anna Benedict of Echo Park insisted the demonstration was largely peaceful, saying, “I mean, everybody here wants to be peaceful.”
Ongoing Developments
As night fell on June 9, 2025, the LA protests continued, with police patrolling on horseback and using tear gas and less-lethal munitions to disperse crowds. An Australian reporter, Lauren Tomasi, was struck by a rubber bullet while covering the unrest. The LA protests reflect deep divisions, with Trump and his allies labeling demonstrators as “violent mobs,” while local leaders urge de-escalation. Governor Newsom’s lawsuit and the ongoing Los Angeles protests immigration raids signal a turbulent road ahead for California and the nation.
