Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Los Angeles on Sunday, blocking a major freeway and setting autonomous vehicles on fire. The demonstrations were in response to President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard.
Background
The clashes occurred on the third day of protests against Trump’s immigration crackdown in the region. The arrival of around 300 federal troops spurred anger and fear among residents.
Law Enforcement Response
Local law enforcement used tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs to control the crowd. Protesters directed chants of "shame" and "go home" at members of the National Guard, who stood shoulder to shoulder with long guns and riot shields.
Officials Speak Out
Governor Gavin Newsom deemed the deployment a serious breach and wrote to President Trump asking for their removal, stating it was inflaming tensions in the city. Mayor Karen Bass also condemned the deployment during her press conference, claiming it was chaos provoked by an administration with a different agenda rather than public safety concerns.
Mayor Bass stated:
"What we’re seeing here is chaos that is provoked by an administration. This isn’t about public safety… This isn’t about protecting anyone except one thing – it’s all about preventing Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from doing their jobs effectively."
She emphasized the need for ICE reform, stating:
"It doesn’t matter how many times I say it; no amount will change my position — we need ICE reform now! We must stop these violent attacks against our community!"
Protest Developments
By late afternoon, police cleared protesters off Interstate 101 after they blocked traffic along this major route. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore reported that 11 people were arrested as part of a larger effort to maintain order while allowing peaceful protests.
Chief Moore remarked:
"We have made arrests today. I want you all to know that we are committed as much as anybody else here today — including our federal partners — to not only keeping peace but also protecting life."
Marches and Gatherings
Protesters began gathering early Saturday morning near City Hall before marching through downtown streets. They chanted slogans such as "No justice, no peace!"
On Friday night into early Saturday morning, hundreds gathered outside U.S.-Mexico border crossing checkpoints at San Ysidro Port of Entry near San Diego, where they set fires along both sides before being dispersed by authorities using tear gas and other non-lethal force.
Impact of ICE Raids
In Los Angeles County alone, there have been over two dozen reported cases involving alleged ICE raids since March, according to reports compiled by the immigrant advocacy group Community Coalition Against Border Violence (CCABV). These incidents resulted in injuries ranging from minor bruises to serious trauma, with many victims reportedly targeted due to language barriers or lack of identification documents.
The protests reflect deep-seated concerns over immigration policies and the impact of federal actions on local communities.
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