Police arrested dozens at a massive Los Angeles demonstration protesting President Donald Trump over the weekend.
The No Kings demonstration was part of a nationwide protest against the Trump administration, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which event organizers described as “masked secret police terrorizing our communities.” Throughout the day, thousands participated in the event in California’s largest city before the demonstration grew tense. In the late afternoon, a small group of protesters began clashing with authorities outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, the site of other protests in recent months and where ICE holds detainees.
The Los Angeles Police Department went on tactical alert in reaction to the chaos, deploying tear gas. On Sunday, the LAPD said it arrested 75 people in connection with the confrontation the prior day. Authorities declared an unlawful assembly after a small group of between 150 and 200 protesters began throwing rocks, bottles, and concrete at officers with the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE. Video footage showed violent graffiti saying “Kill Your Local ICE Agent” was painted on walls near the detention center.
At least two officers were hit by concrete chunks and required medical care, officials told KTLA. Some people appeared to come prepared for the chaos, wearing respirators, goggles, and other protective equipment.
The LAPD reported the first acts of vandalism shortly before 5 p.m. and issued an order for lingering protesters to disperse around 45 minutes later. Those who refused to disperse, including vandals, were arrested following warnings. The event was supposed to end at 5 p.m. Saturday.
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Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, which includes Los Angeles County, issued a warning to the small crowd of rioters.
“To those who were smashing concrete blocks and throwing them at our officers, we have you on video,” he said in a post to social media. “We will find you and arrest you too. You’ve been warned.”