For a third consecutive day, immigration protests in Los Angeles spiraled into violent clashes. Originally opposing President Trump’s National Guard deployment and ICE raids, the protests quickly escalated. Demonstrators targeted California Highway Patrol vehicles and took over the 101 Freeway.
“Tonight we had individuals out there shooting commercial-grade fireworks at our officers that can kill you,” said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. One protester even threw a Molotov cocktail, while another drove a motorbike into a police line. A small fire broke out behind the LAPD skirmish line.
Ten LAPD and seventeen CHP officers were arrested, and officials fear more violence. “It’s increasingly worse and more violent,” McDonnell warned.
Frustration grew as McDonnell accused outsiders of hijacking peaceful protests. “It was even more disgusting that many…come in from other places just to hurt people,” he said, repeating the word “disgusting” in reference to rock and firecracker attacks on police.
City officials are now considering a curfew. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump’s troop deployment, calling it “purposefully inflammatory” and a threat to public trust. The unrest began after federal agents arrested at least 44 people in immigration raids Friday.