A crowd clashed with federal agents after thousands of protesters marched through downtown Los Angeles as part of a national call to action following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal immigration officers and the surge in immigration operations across the U.S.
Demonstrators began gathering on Friday afternoon in front of LA City Hall, with the crowds swelling as protesters began marching. They moved through downtown streets, peacefully making their way into Boyle Heights, turning the area into a hub of activism and voices echoing unity and frustration.
After marching for about an hour, a large group of protesters settled outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in downtown LA. Tensions escalated when protesters began throwing items at federal agents adorned in riot gear guarding the entrance. As the situation intensified, a portion of the crowd pushed a large construction dumpster to block the loading dock’s entrance, exacerbating the confrontation after federal agents responded with pepper balls and tear gas. Some demonstrators even vandalized parts of the building, conveying their anger towards the administration’s immigration policies.
“Peaceful protest is a constitutional right,” stated Mayor Karen Bass in a post to X. “I urge Angelenos to exercise that right safely and not give this administration an excuse to escalate.” Her call for peace resonated amidst the chaos unfolding in the streets.
The clash prompted the LAPD to issue a tactical alert, ensuring officers remained on duty regardless of their schedules. This wasn’t the first time such a measure was used; LAPD enforced tactical alerts during past demonstrations, signifying the seriousness of the current situation.
“Due to violent agitators on Alameda between Temple and Aliso the City of Los Angeles has gone to TACTICAL ALERT. Federal authorities are taking debris, bottles and other objects,” LAPD said in a post to X. They additionally declared an Unlawful Assembly at the Detention Center and deployed pepper balls and tear gas, indicating the extent of their response to the growing unrest.
As the police formed skirmish lines shortly after issuing the tactical alert, they also initiated a dispersal order, urging protesters to vacate the area by 5:56 p.m. or face arrest. The crowd, however, resisted this command, leading to heightened tensions as they blocked traffic and clashed with law enforcement.
With protesters throwing bottles and rocks at officers, the LAPD escalated their response, stating, “Protesters are actively fighting with Officers after multiple dispersal orders were issued. Metropolitan Division is now on scene.” In the midst of this turmoil, officers arrested several individuals described as “violent agitators,” though the exact number remained unclear.
The majority of the crowd began to dissipate after 10 p.m., but a small faction returned, igniting a fire inside the large dumpster situated at the loading dock. Firefighters responded promptly; however, they were obstructed from reaching the blaze by some protesters. As tensions continued to mount, federal agents exited the building to assist in extinguishing the flames while dispersing the remaining crowd.
L.A. Businesses and Schools Join National Day of Action
The call for nationwide protests was ignited by demonstrations in Minnesota, where thousands staged a general strike demanding the cessation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. In response, grassroots organizations began rallying across social media, urging citizens to refrain from attending work or school to demonstrate their solidarity.
Since last summer, the Trump administration has ramped up its efforts to tackle illegal immigration, leading to a noticeable uptick in immigration raids. The anxiety these actions have generated within communities is palpable, with many residents conveying feelings of fear and uncertainty.
While some business owners opted to keep their stores open to maintain revenue, others like Nikki High, owner of Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena, chose solidarity over business gains, emphasizing the importance of community safety and support. “To let people know we can withhold our dollars, we can withhold the economy, to ensure that every person here is safe,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, other businesses, like Sonder One yoga studio, decided to continue operations partially, pledging to donate some of their profits to immigrant rights groups. Picaresca Café in Boyle Heights took an activist stance by closing its doors and transforming the space into a gathering hub for community members, providing materials for poster-making, further enriching the sense of togetherness among activists.
Students also made their presence known during this day of action, walking out of classrooms in solidarity. High schoolers from La Habra and Sonora rallied together and marched towards LA City Hall, their spirits lifted by honks and cheers from passing cars. “I’m really glad to see so many people, especially people that I know, having the courage to come out here and do this,” expressed Ysa Asi, a participating student.
The Los Angeles Unified School District supported the students’ right to advocate for important causes, stating that while schools remained open, they also fostered safe environments for students to express their First Amendment rights. The district added that activities and spaces were developed for students to make their voices heard while remaining secure on campus.
