June 2025 Los Angeles protests

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June 2025 Los Angeles protests
Part of 2025 United States protests against mass deportation
DateJune 6, 2025 – present
(2 days)
Location
Los Angeles County
Caused byDeportations during Trump's second term
GoalsEnding mass deportation carried out by ICE
MethodsPolitical demonstration, rioting, civil disobedience, civil unrest, arson
StatusOngoing
Parties
Lead figures
  • No official leadership
Number
Unknown
Casualties and losses
3 injured[1]
27 arrested[2]
6 injured[3][1]

The June 2025 Los Angeles protests are an ongoing series of civil disturbances in the Los Angeles, California, United States area. Protests began in Los Angeles on June 6 when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided the city to arrest illegal immigrants.[4][5][6]

On June 6, protests against the raids turned into street riots when protestors clashed with the Los Angeles Police Department and ICE. On June 7, protestors clashed with federal forces in Paramount and Compton during raids. President Donald Trump then federalized the California National Guard and deployed 300 guard members to the city under 10 U.S.C. § 12406.[7] According to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the Marine Corps are on standby in case of further violence.[8]

Background

[edit]
See also: Deportation in the second presidency of Donald Trump

In November 2024, following the presidential election, in which Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris, the Los Angeles City Council declared the city to be a sanctuary city.[9][10] Trump's immigration policy elicited concern from California's immigrant population.[11] Trump officials have warned that sanctuary cities would be the target of immigration crackdown efforts.[12]

In May 2025, the Trump administration began to implement a deportation strategy that involved targeting workplaces.[13]

Events

[edit]

June 6

[edit]

At approximately 9:15 a.m., an immigration raid was conducted within the Los Angeles Fashion District; two other raids occurred at a clothing wholesaler and a Home Depot.[14][15] Over 100 people were arrested at the three locations. Several federal agents responded to protests with stun grenades.[16] A clash between protesters and agents broke out at the Metropolitan Detention Center.[17] Agents present at the raid were identified with Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives patches.[18] Homeland Security Investigations stated that 44 people were "administratively arrested" and one person was arrested for obstruction;[19] Bill Essayli, the acting United States attorney for the Central District of California, said that David Huerta, the California president of the Service Employees International Union, was arrested for blocking a vehicle.[15] Huerta was injured and taken to the hospital, where he was transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center.[20]

Protests began following the arrests.[5][6] Clashes between protesters and ICE agents in riot gear occurred near the Westlake Home Depot.[21] ICE also arrested several people at a clothing store and clashed with activists.[5] After "some protesters hurled chunks of broken concrete toward officers," the Los Angeles Police Department engaged in intense standoffs with protestors in which tear gas, pepper spray, and flash-bang grenades were used to disperse the crowd.[5][22] Approximately 200 protesters remained at the facility by 7 p.m., when the Los Angeles Police Department ordered protesters to disperse. The police department authorized the use of less-lethal munitions the following hour. This was followed at 8:24 by a citywide tactical alert.[20]

June 7

[edit]

Protests against the raid continued through the following day.[23] According to Peggy Lemons, the mayor of Paramount, California, a confrontation near a Home Depot began after protesters observed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers staging near a local branch building.[24] The DHS estimated that one thousand people were protesting at the building.[25] Angelica Salas, the director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, stated that there were seven raids in which 45 people had been detained.[9] At least two people were injured.[24] According to The New York Times, the protests have delayed processing of detainees.[23] California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that California Highway Patrol units would be deployed to protect Los Angeles freeways.[26] By June 7, 118 undocumented immigrants had been arrested in Los Angeles, according to the DHS.[27]

In Paramount, protestors blocked a street with shopping carts and a recycling bin. Federal agents then deployed flash bang grenades and pepper balls, injuring two people.[28] World Socialist Web Site reporters reportedly sustained injuries while documenting the protests, including a reporter who was shot in the back with a rubber bullet by a US immigration officer.[29] According to an attorney with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, some protestors were throwing bricks, and others looked injured.[28] At 2:30 p.m., LAPD issued a dispersal order using loudspeakers. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies then used tear gas against the protesters to disperse them. One ICE agent sustained injuries after a rock thrown by a protestor struck the windshield on the vehicle they were driving and cut their hand.[1] Shortly after 5 p.m., an abandoned car in the area of the protest that had caught fire was put out by the Los Angeles Fire Department.[30] American flags were also set on fire while Mexican flags were waved by protestors. At around 8 p.m., two people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting police officers, including one who allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail, causing minor injuries to three deputies.[1]

Protesters also gathered at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angeles, with law enforcement forming a skirmish line to disperse the protesters.[31][32] Shortly before 11 p.m., protestors threw an object at and hit a police cruiser as it was leaving the area at an intersection in Downtown Los Angeles.[33] By night, the protests reached Compton, where several demonstrators threw glass bottles filled with a substance that smelled like gasoline.[34][8]

In an interview with Fox News, White House Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations Tom Homan announced that the National Guard would be sent into Los Angeles that night.[35] That evening, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum deploying 2,000 members of the California National Guard to the protests[8] Trump invoked 10 U.S.C. § 12406 to nationalize the National Guard, the first time a president had deployed a National Guard force without approval from that state's governor since the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965.[36] In a post on X, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that active duty Marines were on "high alert" at Camp Pendleton.[37] Trump said masks would not be allowed to be worn at protests.[38]

June 8

[edit]

Protests died down in the early morning but were still ongoing, with organizers calling for another day of protesting.[39] Protests outside of Los Angeles City Hall, promoted by the Party for Socialism and Liberation under the slogan "National Guard go away, ICE out of LA", occurred around 2:00 p.m.[40][41]

300 National Guard troops were deployed to three separate locations in Los Angeles;[42][43] most of the troops were seen outside of federal buildings.[43] At the Metropolitan Detention Center, the National Guard and DHS officers used smoke and pepper spray to displace protesters and open a path for the DHS, Border Patrol, and other military vehicles to enter the facility.[44] National Guard troops also arrived outside the downtown Los Angeles Detention Center.[45] Homan noted while speaking to NBC News that "someone's going to lose their life" if the protests continue, also stating that Governor of California Gavin Newsom and mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass could potentially face federal charges over the response to the ICE raids.[43][46] Trump later threatened to "have troops everywhere" if the protests spread to other cities and said "if we see danger to our country and our citizens", the Marines would be deployed to the city.[47] Police had arrived to join the National Guard by noon.[43]

At 2:30 p.m., the LAPD Central Division said that the City of Los Angeles is on "tactical alert."[48] Subsequently, at 2:49 p.m., the LAPD Central Division said that less lethal munitions have been authorized for use to disperse the protest, individuals that are throwing objects at officers will now be detained and arrested, and that an unlawful assembly had been declared by the Incident Commander.[49]

Before 4 p.m., protestors entered the US 101 freeway in downtown Los Angeles and blocked traffic, causing police to subsequently shut down the freeway in both directions.[50]

Two Los Angeles Police Department officers were injured after motorcyclists attempted to breach a skirmish line and hit them at a protest in the the Alameda and Temple area. Both riders were detained and the officers were treated at the scene.[3]

Responses

[edit]

Local

[edit]

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass criticized the raids, stating that "[a]s 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. These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city",[6] adding later the comment that "[w]e will not stand for this."[6] On June 7, she said that "violence and destruction are unacceptable and those responsible will be held accountable" and "Everyone has the right to peacefully protest."[51]

California governor Gavin Newson condemned David Huerta's detention.[15] Representatives Jimmy Gomez, Luz Rivas, Norma Torres, and Lou Correa visited the detention center where the detained were held; Gomez alleged that they "didn't have access to food and water on a schedule" nor "access to their medicines."[6] The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department denied involvement in the raids.[52] The Los Angeles Police Department denied being involved in civil immigration enforcement.[53]

Newsom later criticized Donald Trump's decision to mobilize the California National Guard,[24] saying that it was "purposefully inflammatory" and that it would "only escalate tensions",[30][54] though he urged protesters to "never use violence" and to "speak out peacefully".[55] According to The New York Times, California Democrats had privately expressed concern that Trump would nationalize the state's national guard, but acknowledged that their legal options would be limited.[56] The Financial Times wrote that the order to deploy National Guardsmen would "intensify tensions between the Trump administration and California".[57]

Domestic

[edit]

The Trump administration urged Democrats to condemn the protests and accused "the Left" of having incited the protests;[20] the DHS accused Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom of contributing to alleged violence.[25] President Donald Trump praised the National Guard. He added they were unable to handle the task and they handled the fires badly.[38] Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem warned that protesters would be prosecuted.[23] Federal Bureau of Investigation director Kash Patel responded to Bass's post on X vowing to "not stand for this" with, "We will".[20] Todd Lyons, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, criticized the Los Angeles Police Department for purportedly not responding to the protests for over two hours.[23] Dan Bongino, the deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, stated that the bureau would investigate the protests.[58]

Stephen Miller, the deputy chief of staff for policy in the White House and the homeland security advisor to the president, stated on X, "Deport the invaders, or surrender to insurrection."[59] Miller added that, if the protests continued, the United States would cease to exist.[9]

International

[edit]

Carlos González Gutiérrez, the consul general of Mexico in Los Angeles, said that at least 11 Mexican nationals were arrested and that they would be offered legal services.[20]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "2,000 National Guard troops will be sent to L.A. amid clashes over immigration raids". The Los Angeles Times. June 7, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  2. ^ Garcia, Jorge; Barbakh, Arafat (June 8, 2025). "National Guard deployed in Los Angeles amid protests against immigration raids". Reuters. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "2 LAPD officers injured by motorcyclists". ABC News. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  4. ^ "California leaders condemn Ice raids in LA: 'We will not stand for this'". The Guardian. June 7, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d Dallow, Lily (June 6, 2025). "Police use flash-bangs, tear gas to quell ICE raid protests in L.A." KTLA. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e Uranga, Rachel; Ellis, Rebecca; Harter, Clara; Vives, Ruben; Mehta, Seema; Purtill, Corinne (June 7, 2025). "ICE raids across L.A. spark backlash; Trump officials vow to continue operations". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  7. ^ Trump, Donald (June 7, 2025). "Department of Defense Security for the Protection of Department of Homeland Security Functions". The White House. Retrieved June 8, 2025. In light of these incidents and credible threats of continued violence, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I [Donald J. Trump] hereby call into Federal service members and units of the National Guard under 10 U.S.C. 12406...
  8. ^ a b c Aleaziz, Hamed; Rosenhall, Laurel (June 8, 2025). "Trump to Send National Guard to LA to Quell Immigration Protests: Live Updates". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c Raji, Tobi; Ables, Kelsey (June 7, 2025). "National Guard to mobilize amid L.A. protests, Trump's border czar says". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  10. ^ Sternfeld, Marc (November 19, 2024). "L.A. to become a 'sanctuary' city for migrants in response to Trump threat". KTLA. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  11. ^ Vives, Ruben; Garrison, Jessica; Uranga, Rachel; Plevin, Rebecca (January 22, 2025). "'Freaked out': Fear, uncertainty grip California's immigrant community as Trump rolls out crackdown plan". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  12. ^ Davies, Emily (June 7, 2025). "Trump has often demonized large cities over handling of migrants". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  13. ^ DePillis, Lydia; Londoño, Ernesto (June 7, 2025). "Trump Targets Workplaces as Immigration Crackdown Widens". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  14. ^ "ACLU Statement on ICE Raids in Los Angeles | ACLU of Southern California". www.aclusocal.org. June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  15. ^ a b c Mayorquín, Orlando; Jiménez, Jesus (June 6, 2025). "Agents Use Military-Style Force Against Protesters at L.A. Immigration Raid". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  16. ^ El-Bawab, Nadine; Moore, Jack; Hutchinson, Bill. "Trump deploys 2,000 National Guard members after LA immigration protests". ABC News. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  17. ^ "What to know about the Los Angeles immigration protests after citywide ICE operations". CBS News. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  18. ^ Mayorquín, Orlando; Jiménez, Jesus (June 6, 2025). "Agents Use Military-Style Force Against Protesters at L.A. Immigration Raid". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  19. ^ "Immigration officials target 3 Los Angeles sites in raids condemned by area leaders". NBC News. June 7, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  20. ^ a b c d e Huamani, Kaitlyn; Harter, Clara; Uranga, Rachel; Ellis, Rebecca; Vives, Ruben (June 7, 2025). "Immigration raids roil L.A., dozens of people detained. What we know so far". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  21. ^ Kiszla, Cameron (June 6, 2025). "Immigration agents raid several L.A. businesses, encounter protesters". KTLA News. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  22. ^ Ross, Jane; Gorman, Steve (June 7, 2025). "Riot police, anti-ICE protesters square off in Los Angeles after raids". Reuters. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c d Jiménez, Jesus; Mayorquín, Orlando; Dwyer, Mimi; Facio-Krajcer, Ana (June 7, 2025). "Chaos in L.A. County as Protesters Clash With Immigration Agents Again". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  24. ^ a b c Uranga, Rachel; Gomez, Melissa; Purtill, Corinne; Hussain, Suhauna (June 7, 2025). "After 2 days of clashes over immigration raids, National Guard will be sent to L.A., official says". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  25. ^ a b Caldwell, Alicia (June 7, 2025). "National Guard to Be Deployed to LA After ICE Protests, Fox Says". Bloomberg News. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  26. ^ Turner, Austin (June 7, 2025). "Los Angeles immigration protests ramp up after day of ICE operations across city". CBS News. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  27. ^ Jansen, Bill (June 7, 2025). "Immigration enforcement in Los Angeles sparks clash between federal agents, protesters". USA Today. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  28. ^ a b Uranga, Rachel; Gomez, Melissa; Purtill, Corinne; Hussain, Suhauna (June 7, 2025). "Chaos erupts at Paramount Home Depot as protesters confront immigration agents". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  29. ^ "Protests continue in Los Angeles in response to fascist immigration raids". World Socialist Web Site. June 7, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  30. ^ a b "Live updates: Protests erupt outside Los Angeles-area Home Depot amid federal enforcement operations". NBC News. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  31. ^ "Live updates: Trump to deploy National Guard in L.A. amid protests over immigration raids". NBC News. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  32. ^ Rosenhall, Laurel; Mayorquín, Orlando; Dwyer, Mimi; Jiménez, Jesus. "The Los Angeles Police declared an unlawful assembly for a block in downtown Los Angeles that included the Metropolitan Detention Center, a site of protests over the past two days. The police ordered protesters to disperse, saying on social media that officers were authorized to use less-than-lethal munitions". The New York Times.
  33. ^ "Demonstrators hit police cruiser in downtown L.A." NBC News. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  34. ^ Dwyer, Mimi (June 7, 2025). "As night fell, some demonstrators in Compton started to throw glass bottles filled with a substance that smelled like gasoline at the police". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  35. ^ Bedigan, Mike; Graziosi, Graig (June 8, 2025). "Trump's border czar says he's sending National Guard to fight LA anti-ICE protests as clashes continue into second day". The Independent. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  36. ^ Hubler, Shawn; Rosenhall, Lauren (June 7, 2025). "Trump Is Calling Up National Guard Troops Under a Rarely Used Power". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  37. ^ Rosenberg, Carol (June 7, 2025). "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a post on X that active duty Marines were "on high alert" at Camp Pendleton, about 100 miles south of Los Angeles, and could also be mobilized". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  38. ^ a b Trump, Donald [@realDonaldTrump] (June 8, 2025). "Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest". Retrieved June 8, 2025 – via Truth Social.
  39. ^ "Protests dying down, no sign of National Guard". NBC News. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  40. ^ Lloyd, Jonathan (June 8, 2025). "Protest begins outside Los Angeles City Hall". KNBC. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  41. ^ Party for Socialism and Liberation [@pslnational] (June 8, 2025). "TOMORROW! SUNDAY 2PM: NATIONAL GUARD GO AWAY! ICE OUT OF LA!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 8, 2025 – via Twitter.
  42. ^ "LA immigration protests live updates: 'An alarming abuse of power': Democratic governors respond to Trump National Guard deployment". ABC News. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  43. ^ a b c d "Los Angeles protests live: Troops sent by Trump arrive in LA with more immigration raid protests expected". BBC News. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  44. ^ "Federal authorities deploy less-lethal weapons at Metropolitan Detention Center". Los Angeles Times.
  45. ^ "National Guard arrives in LA". BBC News. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  46. ^ Edwards, David (June 8, 2025). "Trump border czar warns L.A. protesters: 'Someone's going to lose their life'". MSN. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  47. ^ "'We will have troops everywhere' if protests grow - Trump". bbc.com. BBC. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  48. ^ LAPD Central Division [@LAPDCentral] (June 8, 2025). "The City of Los Angeles is on Tactical Alert" (Tweet). Retrieved June 8, 2025 – via Twitter.
  49. ^ LAPD Central Division [@LAPDCentral] (June 8, 2025). "The use of less lethal munitions has been authorized by the Incident Commander. Persons throwing items at officers will be detained and arrested. An UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY has been declared by the Incident Commander" (Tweet). Retrieved June 8, 2025 – via Twitter.
  50. ^ "Live updates: Protesters march to L.A. federal building amid controversial National Guard deployment". NBC News. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  51. ^ Bass, Karen [@MayorOfLA] (June 7, 2025). "This is a difficult time for our city" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  52. ^ El-Bawab, Nadine; Moore, Jack (June 7, 2025). "California Gov. Newsom says federal government to deploy National Guard in wake of immigration protests". ABC News. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  53. ^ Vives, Ruben; Uranga, Rachel; Mehta, Seema (June 6, 2025). "Multiple immigration sweeps reported across L.A., with a tense standoff downtown". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  54. ^ Mangan, Dan; Doherty, Erin (June 8, 2025). "Trump to deploy National Guard in response to Los Angeles immigration protests". CNBC. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  55. ^ Davies, Emily (June 7, 2025). "Newsom, in a Saturday night post on X, urged demonstrators to "never use violence" and "speak out peacefully."". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  56. ^ Hubler, Shawn (June 7, 2025). "California Democrats have braced for months for the possibility that President Trump would seek to deploy U.S. troops on American soil, in this way, particularly in Democratic-run jurisdictions". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  57. ^ Grimes, Christopher (June 7, 2025). "Trump to send national guard to quell immigration protests in LA". Financial Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  58. ^ Fields, Ashleigh (June 7, 2025). "Bongino, Patel defend ICE amid unrest over Los Angeles raids". The Hill. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  59. ^ Aleaziz, Hamed (June 7, 2025). "Stephen Miller, President Trump's deputy chief of staff, posted on social media throughout Saturday about the Immigration and Custom Enforcement activity in Los Angeles and the resulting protests". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2025.