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 crowds continuing to swell as protesters began marching. They filled some downtown streets and peacefully moved into Boyle Heights.
After marching for about an hour, a large group of protesters settled outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in downtown LA. At the complex’s loading dock, protesters threw items at federal agents, who were dressed in riot gear and guarding the entrance. A portion of the crowd pushed a large construction dumpster in front of the loading dock’s entrance after federal agents deployed pepper balls and tear gas. Others vandalized parts of the building.
“Peaceful protest is a constitutional right,” Mayor Karen Bass wrote in a post to X. “I urge Angelenos to exercise that right safely and not give this administration an excuse to escalate.”
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The clash prompted the LAPD to issue a tactical alert, ordering officers to remain on duty regardless of their schedules. LAPD issued tactical alerts during past demonstrations, including the anti-ICE protests last June and during the Dodgers’ World Series win last year.
“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 wrote on a post to X. “Federal Authorities have declared an Unlawful Assembly at the Detention Center and they have deployed pepper balls and tear gas.”
Dozens of LAPD officers responded to the federal building and formed skirmish lines shortly after departement issued the tactical alert. Police issued a dispersal order and told protesters to leave the area by 5:56 p.m. or risk arrest.
The large crowd blocked the road, preventing several buses from passing through the intersection near the federal building.
LAPD officers slowly pushed the crowd out of the intersection and dispersed protesters from the area. The crowd threw bottles at rocks at the officers, according to police.
“Protestors are actively fighting with Officers after multiple dispersal orders were issued. Metropolitan Division is now on scene,” LAPD wrote in a post to X. “Less than lethal has been authorized due to the violence against officers.”
Officers arrested “violent agitators” after issuing several dispersal orders, police said. It was unclear how many people were taken into custody.
Most of the crowd dissipated after 10 p.m., but a small group returned to the federal building and set a fire inside the large dumpster parked by the loading dock.
Firefighters arrived several minutes after the blaze began, but backed away after a few protesters blocked their truck from reaching the loading dock.
As firefighters waited for LAPD officers to arrive, some federal agents exited the building and began dispersing the crowd, while others began extinguishing the flames.
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L.A. businesses and schools join National Day of Action
The idea for a nationwide protest came from demonstrations in Minnesota after thousands staged a general strike calling for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to halt its immigration raids. After seeing the energy and support across the country, grassroots organizations began posting on social media calling for a larger day of action, asking people to not to go to work or school.
Since last summer, the Trump administration has ramped up its efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. Several cities across the country have seen an increase in immigration raids, which community members say are instilling fear in residents.
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Owners of some small businesses said they needed to stay open to make money, but Nikki High, the owner of Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena, decided it’s more important to show solidarity and that they have their neighbors’ backs.
“To let people know we can withhold our dollars, we can withhold the economy, to ensure that every person here is safe,” High said.
Other businesses, like Sonder One yoga studio with multiple locations across the city, say they can’t close completely and will be planning on sharing some of their profits with immigrant rights groups.
Picaresca Café in Boyle Heights was closed for business and is using its storefront as a space for community members to come together and is providing materials to make posters.
“Ultimately, we thought that if we aren’t going to run the operation as usual, we have to do something for our community,” said Reina Esparza, the café manager.
Students also participated in the day of action by walking out of their classrooms, including dozens from La Habra and Sonora high schools. They walked out on Friday morning and began marching toward L.A. City Hall. Cars driving by have been honking and shouting their support for the students.
“I’m really glad to see so many people, especially people that I know, having the courage to come out here and do this,” said Ysa Asi, a student who walked out.
The Los Angeles Unified School District posted a statement supporting students and their right to “advocate for causes that are important to them.” The district said schools will remain open and provide a safe space for students.
“Schools have developed activities and spaces where students can exercise their First Amendment rights safely on campus, allowing them to make their voices heard while remaining in a secure learning environment,” the LAUSD said.
