Protests in Los Angeles, driven by opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, have escalated into a larger movement with solidarity demonstrations popping up across various cities. The unrest follows President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to the city, citing a need to curb what he described as lawlessness.
The demonstrations erupted after a series of ICE raids, during which federal agents executed search warrants on four businesses accused of hiring undocumented immigrants and falsifying employment documents. Videos circulated on social media showed agents conducting operations at locations such as a Home Depot in Westlake and Ambiance Apparel in downtown Los Angeles.
Mayor Karen Bass expressed her outrage over the raids, stating, “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. We will not stand for this.”
Local activists, family members of detained workers, and union leaders converged at the sites of the raids, demanding justice. David Huerta, President of the Service Employees International Union California, was arrested during a confrontation with law enforcement, leading to charges of conspiracy to impede an officer. SEIU President April Verrett defended his actions, asserting that Huerta was “exercising his constitutional right to peacefully protest.”
As protests intensified, demonstrators gathered outside federal buildings, shouting slogans such as “ICE out of LA!” Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, emphasized the human impact of ICE’s actions, declaring, “Our community is under attack and is being terrorized. These are workers, these are fathers, these are mothers, and this has to stop.”
Violence erupted later as the LAPD declared an unlawful assembly amid reports of a small group of individuals throwing concrete at officers. The protests continued through the weekend, spreading beyond downtown Los Angeles to other cities like Compton and Paramount. Demonstrator Nabil Shukir stated, “We have a very beautiful community, a very strong community. And this is why we show up and we’re going to keep showing up.”
In response, the White House announced the deployment of thousands of National Guardsmen following claims of “violent mobs” attacking ICE officers. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated the administration’s hardline stance, highlighting a zero-tolerance approach to criminal behavior.
The situation reached a tipping point as reported incidents included rocks and bottles being hurled at patrol vehicles, along with several vehicles from self-driving car company Waymo being set ablaze. While some protests turned violent, Mayor Bass noted that the majority were peaceful and condemned the actions of fringe groups engaging in vandalism.
Bass has continued to place responsibility for the unrest on the federal government, describing the development of events as an experiment that puts residents at risk. California Governor Gavin Newsom labeled the National Guard deployment as a “complete overreaction,” announcing a lawsuit against the Trump administration concerning the intervention.
Demonstrations in solidarity with those protesting ICE have taken place nationwide, from New York to San Francisco, indicating a broader discontent with the federal handling of immigration issues. Activists have united in various cities, asserting the need to stand against the scapegoating of vulnerable populations, as seen in rallies across California.
As tensions simmer in Los Angeles, the future remains uncertain. Mayor Bass acknowledged law enforcement’s challenges while reflecting on the impact of the ICE raids on community dynamics and family structures. “If we want to look at the cause of what is happening here, I take it back to raids that took place on Friday,” she observed, highlighting the fear gripping the city.
President Trump defended the deployment of military personnel, claiming it was necessary for safety and asserting, “All I want is safety. I just want a safe area.” He emphasized the need for a strong response to deter similar actions in other cities.