Police used “non-lethal” weapons against protesters to clear areas announced under unlawful assembly which caused injuries to both protesters and journalists during protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles on June 6.
Downtown Los Angeles became home to consistent protests since June 6 in response to the rise of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles County.
Protesters called for the removal of ICE, along with the release of several activists and figures such as David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union, California, who was released on Monday after being charged with conspiracy to impede an officer, after protesting.
Protests began relatively peacefully, but tensions escalated with the arrival of police, the National Guard, and now the United States Marines as of Monday.
Protesters arrived daily with banners, flags and signs in front of the Wilshire Federal Building, which stands beside the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Metropolitan Detention Center, calling for the removal of ICE from LA neighborhoods.
Protesters marched over the 101 Freeway, successfully blocking off the traffic on both sides on June 8, with another attempt on Tuesday that was immediately met with resistance and arrests.
Protesters clashed on June 8 with police in riot gear, throwing rocks at the police cars from bridges and setting off fireworks.
According to the LAPD, as of Wednesday afternoon, almost 400 arrests related to the protests had been made, with the number of arrests increasing each day since June 7.
On Tuesday, protesters marched from LA City Hall down to 9th Street and back twice to avoid police and National Guard presence, chanting “peaceful protest” and similar phrases.
An anti-ICE protester being detained by LAPD officers and arrested. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa) 
A protester flips off LAPD officers as they close in on anti-ICE protestors in front of the Wilshire Federal Building. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa) 
LAPD officers form a barrier towards anti-ICE protesters, holding their batons outward to get them to move back at Alameda Street. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa) 
Anti-ICE protesters wave flags and wear Mexican paraphernalia in front of LAPD officers stationed at the Wilshire Federal Building. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa) 
An anti-ICE protester is detained by LAPD officers. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa) 
Anti-ICE protesters march onto the 110 Freeway in Los Angeles while waving flags and posters, successfully cutting off traffic. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa) 
Anti-ICE protesters push their way past police cars and onto the 110 Freeway in Los Angeles while waving flags and posters, successfully cutting off traffic. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa) 
LAPD officers corner and detain anti-ICE protesters in front of the Wilshire Federal Building, next to the LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 10. (Sam Villa) 
Riverside sheriff deputies stand guard in front of Los Angeles City Hall looking over anti-ICE protesters who marched in the street. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 10. (Sam Villa) 
Anti-ICE protesters march in the streets of Los Angeles after being deterred away from the Wilshire Federal Building by police. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 10. (Sam Villa) 
An anti-ICE protester tags a wall during a march after being deterred away from the Wilshire Federal Building by police. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 10. (Sam Villa) 
Protesters hold candles during a vigil in response to the ICE raids in Los Angeles County. The vigil began in Gloria Molina Grand Park before being led down to the Wilshire Federal Building on June 10. (Sam Villa) 
Father Brandon Busse stands in front of the California National Guard while holding flowers during a vigil in front of the Wilshire Federal Building. He along with several religious leaders led anti-ICE protesters down the streets of Los Angeles on June 10. (Sam Villa) 
Anti-ICE protesters march onto the 110 Freeway in Los Angeles while waving flags and posters, successfully cutting off traffic. Protesters called for the end of the ICE raids in Los Angeles County on June 8. (Sam Villa)
Tuesday also marked the start of the Downtown LA curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., which remains in effect for the near future.
On Saturday, protests continued in LA in participation of “No Kings Day”, beginning peacefully, but were deemed unlawful after the LAPD reported that some protesters began throwing objects at officers.
