LOS ANGELES — After three days of tense demonstrations against immigration raids, downtown Los Angeles became the centre of unrest this weekend. Police declared the area an “unlawful assembly” as crowds clashed with officers, vehicles were set ablaze, and reports of looting surfaced.
The protests began on Friday, triggered by sweeping Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations targeting undocumented immigrants in neighbourhoods across the city, including Westlake and Paramount, areas with large Hispanic populations.
One protester described the atmosphere as “chaotic and raw,” while authorities struggled to contain the crowds. Police horses and riot squads were deployed, and the Federal Building where detainees were reportedly held became a flashpoint. Graffiti covered its walls and objects were hurled at officers.
A British photographer required surgery after being struck by a sponge bullet, and an Australian reporter was wounded by a non-lethal round while covering the events.
In a stark escalation, President Donald Trump publicly declared, “Things look really bad in LA. Bring in the troops!” The president had already mobilised 2,000 National Guard personnel to the area, a move sharply criticised by California’s Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who both called for calm and restraint.
“This kind of military approach is the wrong way to respond to community concerns,” Governor Newsom said, emphasising the need for dialogue rather than force.
The City of Glendale, responding to local tensions, announced it would terminate its contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The move reflects growing unease about federal immigration enforcement’s impact on community trust.
“The City recognises that the ICE contract, regardless of how it is managed, has become divisive,” Glendale officials stated in a release. “This decision is not politically driven but rooted in public safety and accountability.”
Despite calmer scenes on Sunday evening, some violence continued. Our correspondent witnessed a car driving towards protesters, forcing many to flee for safety.
Federal agents reported arresting dozens of undocumented immigrants during recent raids, including 44 at a job site on Friday alone. ICE has stepped up operations nationwide under the Trump administration, aiming to detain thousands daily.
Local leaders remain caught between calls for order and the rights and dignity of immigrant communities. Los Angeles police urged protesters to disperse peacefully, but the underlying tensions remain palpable.
The protests in LA illustrate a growing divide over immigration enforcement and the role of federal power in local communities. As the city braces for further demonstrations, voices on all sides warn of the risks of escalation.
