LOS ANGELES, CA - During a late January protest opposed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that turned violent outside a federal detention center in Los Angeles, several agitators were reportedly arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) following ignored dispersal orders given by police.
On January 30th, thousands of protesters gathered in front of City Hall during the early afternoon before a portion of the massive crowd made their way over to a nearby federal detention center, where chaos reportedly ensued. Agitators reportedly blocked the loading dock entrance of the detention facility with a large dumpster, leading to the LAPD employing crowd control tactics.
According to a social media post from the LAPD Central Division regarding the anti-ICE protest, the agency claimed agitators were “fighting with officers after multiple dispersal orders were issued,” adding that officers were given authorization to utilize less-lethal munitions to restore order.
In a follow-up post by the LAPD, the agency shared a video of the then-active scene, emphasizing, “We had hoped that demonstrations today would be peaceful; however, as you can see in this video, the violent agitators invited LAPD due to their actions.”
An unlawful assembly was declared shortly after officers came under attack by rioters and agitators, with one of the suspects taken into custody for allegedly using a slingshot to fire nondescript metal objects at officers. Others within the crowd reportedly hurled bottles and rocks at officers attempting to disperse the crowd.
Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters was also reportedly present during the protest-turned-riot, participating in anti-ICE chants while claiming that what she was observing at the detention center was "people exercising their constitutional rights” while attempting to vilify officers for their use of less-lethal munitions.
During a news conference following the unlawful assembly, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said at least five arrests were made during the incident, although the LAPD has yet to confirm an exact number publicly. Mayor Bass further emphasized that while peacefully protesting is “extremely important,” violent rioting does little for whatever cause they’re advocating for, warning would-be rioters that if they keep said antics up, "[don't] be surprised if the military reenters our city.”
The identities of those arrested during the incident have not been publicly shared by officials as of this writing.
On January 30th, thousands of protesters gathered in front of City Hall during the early afternoon before a portion of the massive crowd made their way over to a nearby federal detention center, where chaos reportedly ensued. Agitators reportedly blocked the loading dock entrance of the detention facility with a large dumpster, leading to the LAPD employing crowd control tactics.
According to a social media post from the LAPD Central Division regarding the anti-ICE protest, the agency claimed agitators were “fighting with officers after multiple dispersal orders were issued,” adding that officers were given authorization to utilize less-lethal munitions to restore order.
In a follow-up post by the LAPD, the agency shared a video of the then-active scene, emphasizing, “We had hoped that demonstrations today would be peaceful; however, as you can see in this video, the violent agitators invited LAPD due to their actions.”
An unlawful assembly was declared shortly after officers came under attack by rioters and agitators, with one of the suspects taken into custody for allegedly using a slingshot to fire nondescript metal objects at officers. Others within the crowd reportedly hurled bottles and rocks at officers attempting to disperse the crowd.
Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters was also reportedly present during the protest-turned-riot, participating in anti-ICE chants while claiming that what she was observing at the detention center was "people exercising their constitutional rights” while attempting to vilify officers for their use of less-lethal munitions.
During a news conference following the unlawful assembly, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said at least five arrests were made during the incident, although the LAPD has yet to confirm an exact number publicly. Mayor Bass further emphasized that while peacefully protesting is “extremely important,” violent rioting does little for whatever cause they’re advocating for, warning would-be rioters that if they keep said antics up, "[don't] be surprised if the military reenters our city.”
The identities of those arrested during the incident have not been publicly shared by officials as of this writing.
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