"The city's a warzone" Los Angeles descends into chaos amidst immigration protests and escalated police response
Law enforcement forces disperse demonstrators in Los Angeles cityscape
Updates Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Print Copy link Protests against the latest immigration policies by the Trump administration are ongoing in Los Angeles, causing chaos and unrest.
A large contingent of protesters gathered outside a federal building in downtown LA on Monday afternoon (local time) to demonstrate against the U.S. government's controversial immigration policy. Initially, the protests were peaceful, but soon police forces began pushing demonstrators back and dispersing the crowd, firing tear gas and rubber bullets.
One protester hurled a water bottle at officers, resulting in police escalating their response by using explosive devices. Protesters were urged to disperse, with one officer stating, "This city's a warzone, but we're handling it."
Navidi Navidi's take on the protests in Los Angeles "Trump's strategy is deliberate and dangerous" Demonstrators chanted anti-ICE slogans like "I stand with all migrants," and "ICE out of LA" while holding signs reading "Fascism must go away." A small group of National Guard troops initially patrolled the area near the federal building, with Los Angeles police on the scene as well.
Barricades were erected near Highway 101, blocking access in several areas. In one incident, a man fired paintballs at security forces, but the incident was quickly deescalated without further incident.
A large gathering also occurred at Grand Park in solidarity with a detained union leader, as thousands demonstrated and demanded the rights of migrants. Continued protests have been disrupting local traffic and causing significant chaos throughout the city.
Trump responds harshly
The recent immigration raids by ICE, primarily in Southern California, prompted protests initially. According to reports, dozens of individuals were arrested during the sweeps, leading to widespread condemnation of the federal government. Critics claim these measures were intended to instill fear in communities.
In response to the protests, President Trump mobilized at least 4,000 National Guard soldiers over the weekend and an additional 2,000 on Monday. The U.S. Department of Defense also dispatched around 700 regular Marine Corps troops to Los Angeles, marking a significant escalation. These soldiers, who were trained for military operations and war, have now been deployed in American cities to control protests instead of their intended military tasks.
Trump's deployment of the National Guard against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom reflects a rare and historic intervention in urban civil disturbances related to immigration enforcement.
Notable Figures
- Donald J. Trump, U.S. President
- Gavin Newsom, Governor of California
- Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles
USA*ProtestsPoliceU.S. Military*Los AngelesCaliforniaNational Guard*Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)*
Enrichment Data:
Emergency Declarations and Domestic Tensions
- Mayor's Emergency Proclamations: In response to the ongoing civil unrest and the escalating police response to protests, Mayor Bass declared a state of emergency, citing the need to address the impact on the city's residents and protect public safety[1].
- Civil Liberties Concerns: Human rights groups have raised concerns over the disproportionate use of force and excessive force by police during the protests[1][4].
Injuries and Stages of Protests
- Hospitalizations and Injuries: Multiple individuals have been hospitalized with injuries stemming from altercations between police and demonstrators, including one protester who was hit by a car that rammed through the crowd[2].
- Nightly Protests: Protests have continued each night, with varying degrees of intensity, and have resulted in numerous arrests as well as damaged property[3].
Summary Table
| Aspect | Current Status (June 11, 2025) ||-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|| Protests | Ongoing, with escalation in police response, injuries, and property damage[1][2][3] || Local Response | Emergency proclamations, police presence, ongoing disorder[1] || Community Sentiment | Fear, anger, demands for reform and end to immigration raids[1][2] || Federal Response | Significant militarization efforts, including National Guard and Marine Corps deployment[2][3] |
The chaotic and volatile situation in Los Angeles continues, with ongoing protests, significant police presence, and the deployment of U.S. military forces escalating tensions and further dividing the city.
- The ongoing protests in Los Angeles against the US government's immigration policies escalated into chaos, leading to clashes between demonstrators and the police, resulting in injuries and property damage. The US military, including the National Guard and Marine Corps, have been deployed to control the situation, causing concern over civil liberties and intensifying the political tensions.
- In the midst of this general-news and crime-and-justice crisis, the US President, Donald Trump, mobilized thousands of National Guard soldiers and regular Marines in response to the protests, disrupting traffic, causing unrest, and sparking debate over the appropriateness of such a militarized response in domestic affairs.
