Protesters break windows at LAPD headquarters during confrontations with law enforcement over anti-ICE sentiments
Rioters Clash with Police as Los Angeles Erupts in Chaos: FNTV Update
It was a night of chaos downtown Los Angeles as rioters targeted the LAPD headquarters, clashed with authorities, and faced off against tear gas deployed by the police.
The LAPD's headquarters on West 1st Street became a battleground on Sunday evening as rioters shattered windows and were met by tear gas. The unrest was spurred by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that have sparked outrage in the city's immigrant community, particularly in areas with large Latino populations.
The downtown area was declared an "unlawful assembly" by the LAPD's Central Division, as rioters splintered into various locations, causing disruptions. Residents, businesses, and visitors were urged to stay vigilant and report any criminal activity.
Protests against ICE escalated over the weekend, with some demonstrators taking things too far. Footage from the protests showed individuals spitting on the American flag, setting it on fire, and hurling objects at police. The atmosphere in the city became increasingly divided, with local and national politics coming under the spotlight.
Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the acquisition of National Guard troops by President Donald Trump, stating that local law enforcement didn't require assistance. Trump sent 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Friday to assist with the anti-ICE riots. The Department of Homeland Security accused California's governor of siding with foreign criminals.
"California politicians must call off their rioting mob," the Department of Homeland Security posted on X, accompanied by footage from the riots.
While Democrats support the right to protest, Republicans are advocating for law and order. Democratic New Jersey Senator Cory Booker described the protests as "peaceful," despite violence and property damage reports, during a appearance on "Meet the Press" on Sunday. He accused the Trump administration of sowing chaos with their nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on the other hand, supported the deployment of the National Guard, calling it a "common sense" and "basic law enforcement" measure to protect law enforcement and people from violent assaults.
Contributions to this report came from our website's digital reporter Audrey Conklin, Louis Casiano, Stephen Sorace, and David Spector.
- The escalating protests against ICE took a turn towards violence, with the general news reporting on rioters' actions in Los Angeles mirroring opinions and discussions increasingly focused on crime-and-justice and politics.
- As the unrest in Los Angeles highlighted, war-and-conflicts and politics intertwine in a complex web, as demonstrated by the division between Democrats and Republicans over handling the anti-ICE riots.
- While reports of riots and clashes with police dominate the headlines, the nightmare for many residents and businesses persists, with the ongoing chaos amidst the downtown area embodying both general-news and political concerns.
