Clashes erupt in LA after ICE raids
Tensions escalated in downtown Los Angeles as helmeted police in riot gear confronted protesters following a series of federal immigration raids that resulted in the detention of dozens of individuals. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) lined up on the streets, equipped with batons and tear gas rifles, as they faced demonstrators who had gathered to protest the raids.
The unrest began earlier in the day when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted coordinated operations targeting various locations, including Home Depot stores and a doughnut shop, leading to the detention of over 45 people. These raids were part of the Trump administration's intensified immigration enforcement efforts, prompting immediate protests from immigrant rights advocates and community members.
As night fell, the LAPD declared an unlawful assembly, warning protesters that failure to disperse could result in arrest. Clashes erupted, with some demonstrators throwing concrete at officers, who responded with tear gas, pepper spray, and flash-bang grenades. It remains unclear if any immediate arrests were made during the confrontations.
Among those detained was David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California, who reportedly sustained injuries during the protests. His arrest has drawn criticism from local officials and advocacy groups, who argue that the federal actions were excessive and politically motivated.
Local leaders, including Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom, condemned the federal operations, describing them as chaotic and cruel, and highlighting the fear they instilled in immigrant communities.
These events in Los Angeles reflect a broader national trend of increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has sparked similar protests and tensions in other cities across the United States.
