On Sunday in Los Angeles, thousands of demonstrators clashed with National Guard troops, igniting one of the most intense protests in the city’s recent history. What began as a protest against the administration’s immigration crackdown quickly spiraled into dramatic street confrontations.
Morning saw troops and officers in riot gear lining up outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, where waves of federal agents have detained migrants this week. Armed with long guns and shields, they faced protesters brandishing homemade barricades. As tensions mounted, law enforcement unleashed tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang devices to disperse the crowd.
By midday, the 101 Freeway was blocked in multiple southbound lanes. Some demonstrators climbed over barriers to hurl rocks, chunks of concrete, electric scooters, and fireworks at state patrol units stationed on the overpass below. California Highway Patrol officers took shelter until the roadway was cleared late in the afternoon.
In a startling turn, at least four self-driving Waymo cars parked nearby were set ablaze, sending black smoke billowing skyward and underlining the unpredictable mix of high-tech and grassroots energy driving the unrest.
The Los Angeles Police Department declared the gathering an unlawful assembly in the early evening. Many protesters dispersed, but a core group remained, using park chairs and street furniture to reinforce their blockade. The skirmishes lasted hours before calmer voices prevailed.
Sunday marked the third consecutive day of demonstrations across Greater LA, following coordinated actions on Friday and Saturday in downtown, Paramount, and Compton. Federal authorities report over 100 immigrant arrests and dozens more detained during the protests.
California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly urged President Trump to withdraw the National Guard deployment, calling it a breach of state sovereignty. Legal experts note this is the first such activation without a governor request since the 1960s.
As the sun set on the city, protest leaders vowed to press on, spotlighting wider questions around immigration policy, civil liberties, and the use of federal troops on American streets. For now, Los Angeles braces for what may come next.
Reference(s):
Protesters clash with National Guard troops in LA – What do we know?
cgtn.com
