Los Angeles Erupts in Protests After ICE Raids/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Federal ICE raids in Los Angeles led to mass detentions and ignited widespread protests downtown. Riot police clashed with demonstrators, deploying tear gas and pepper spray after crowds defied dispersal orders. Tensions mounted as city officials condemned the raids.
ICE Raids Trigger LA Unrest: Quick Looks
- ICE raids across Los Angeles detain dozens, including at Home Depot and fashion businesses.
- Protests erupted near federal buildings, with demonstrators hurling concrete at officers.
- Riot police deployed tear gas, pepper spray, and flash-bangs to disperse crowds.
- Protesters vandalized federal property with anti-ICE slogans and blocked entrances.
- SEIU California President David Huerta detained, reportedly injured while observing raids.
- Mayor Karen Bass condemned the raids for instilling fear and disrupting community safety.
- LAPD not involved in ICE operations, only in managing civil unrest.
- ICE has yet to comment on detentions or enforcement details.
- Unrest marks growing backlash against Trump’s mass deportation strategy.
Deep Look: ICE Raids Ignite Violent Protests Across Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES — Federal immigration raids across Los Angeles on Friday sparked a night of high-tension protests, confrontations with police, and a broader clash over President Donald Trump’s intensifying immigration crackdown.
What began as early morning enforcement operations quickly escalated into chaotic street demonstrations in downtown L.A., culminating in riot police deploying tear gas and pepper spray against crowds of angry protesters.
ICE Operations Trigger Immediate Outrage
According to local media, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents launched a coordinated citywide sweep, targeting various locations — including a Home Depot in the Westlake District, a clothing store in the Fashion District, and a warehouse in South Los Angeles.
Live footage captured military-style vehicles and unmarked vans filled with agents traversing L.A. streets. The raids, reportedly part of a larger, multi-city sweep, led to the detention of dozens of individuals.
“This is part of President Trump’s promise to execute record-breaking deportations,” one DHS official said anonymously, though ICE itself declined to comment on the exact number of arrests or operation details.
Protests Boil Over into Civil Unrest
As word spread of the raids, protesters mobilized quickly. Crowds gathered outside ICE-targeted locations and later converged on the Los Angeles Federal Building, where some of the detainees were believed to be held.
Demonstrators reportedly spray-painted anti-ICE messages, blocked facility entrances, and eventually faced off with Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers in full riot gear.
Chunks of concrete were hurled at police during the standoff. Officers responded with tear gas, pepper spray, and “flash-bang” grenades to disperse the crowd.
An LAPD spokesperson, Drake Madison, said that the department had declared an unlawful assembly, making all remaining protestors subject to arrest.
SEIU Leader Detained During Raid
Among those swept up during the day’s events was David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California. According to a statement from the union, Huerta was injured and detained by ICE while observing enforcement activity.
“David was exercising his First Amendment rights to observe and document what was happening. He was arrested without cause,” the SEIU statement read.
No further details about Huerta’s condition or potential charges were available by press time.
Officials Condemn Federal Action
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a sharply worded statement denouncing the raids. “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city,” she said.
Bass and other local leaders emphasized that LAPD was not involved in the ICE operation, underscoring the growing rift between federal immigration policy and local law enforcement priorities in sanctuary cities.
Tensions Reflect National Divide
The unrest in Los Angeles comes amid a broader national backlash against Trump’s immigration agenda. In recent weeks, Democratic-led states have passed laws shielding immigrants from federal enforcement and reaffirming sanctuary policies.
Trump, meanwhile, has increased pressure on states and cities, ordering legal action against jurisdictions that fail to comply with ICE and DHS directives.
What’s Next?
Friday’s events may mark a turning point in immigration protests, as activists and union leaders vow to continue mobilizing. In the hours following the protests, multiple civil rights groups announced plans to pursue legal action against ICE for alleged unlawful detentions and excessive force.
For residents and business owners in Los Angeles, the day’s chaos was a stark reminder that federal policy changes have real and immediate impacts on city life.
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