Dozens were arrested.
Violent clashes erupted across Los Angeles over the weekend, leading to dozens of arrests as protests against immigration enforcement intensified. Demonstrators rallied in response to federal immigration raids, particularly a large-scale operation in the city’s garment district, sparking widespread unrest.
By Sunday, a total of 41 individuals had been detained by various law enforcement agencies. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was responsible for 21 arrests, the California Highway Patrol apprehended 19 people, and one person was taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The arrests were tied to a range of serious charges including assault on law enforcement with a deadly weapon, looting, arson, and failure to disperse. Among the most severe accusations, one suspect was charged with attempted murder after allegedly using a Molotov cocktail.
The LAPD confirmed that 10 arrests had been made on Saturday related to unlawful assembly, while no arrests were reported on Friday. Authorities have withheld the names of those arrested.
The demonstrations mark a major flashpoint in the sanctuary city, as local, state, and federal law enforcement prepare for the possibility of more confrontations. Tensions erupted after immigration agents conducted sweeping operations in central Los Angeles, prompting outrage from activists and community members alike.
In response to the escalating violence, President Donald Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to deploy to the region. Roughly 300 troops had arrived by the weekend to assist local authorities. On Monday, Trump praised the decision on social media, stating that the intervention helped prevent greater destruction in Los Angeles.
Sunday saw a sharp escalation in violence. Protesters lit autonomous electric vehicles on fire, blocked major freeways, and hurled objects at police. National Guard forces were stationed near the Metropolitan Detention Center downtown, where advancing protesters were met with smoke grenades and crowd-control munitions deployed by law enforcement. Protesters temporarily shut down the 101 Freeway before state police intervened.
Four self-driving cars were destroyed in fires, resulting in explosions that echoed across parts of downtown. In the evening, police declared the situation an unlawful assembly, issuing dispersal orders and cordoning off sections of the city, particularly around the LA Live area where demonstrators had obstructed traffic.
The federal response has sparked backlash from political leaders. California Governor Gavin Newsom denounced the use of military force, accusing Trump of authoritarianism and threatening legal action. In a public statement, Newsom criticized the president’s broader approach to governance, accusing him of undermining democratic institutions and suppressing dissent. The governor arrived in Los Angeles Sunday night to coordinate the state’s response to the protests.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), meanwhile, reported on social media that it had taken 118 undocumented individuals into custody during its recent operations in the city, including five suspected gang members.
