Thousands of Angelenos flooded downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, protesting against Donald Trump’s decision to deploy their state national guard. The protesters shut down a major freeway, overwhelming the area around city hall and the federal courthouse. Despite this, the national guard played a minimal role in the events.
The crowd of protesters was both vocal and boisterous, but remained largely peaceful. They directed insults at Trump and the immigration enforcement teams responsible for the recent mass arrests of undocumented migrants in the area. The protesters converged on the Metropolitan detention center, where arrested individuals were being held, as well as a nearby dock that the national guardsmen were using.
Protesters fearlessly approached the heavily armed guardsmen, with one organizer using a bullhorn to declare, “We’re not afraid of you!” Banners displayed messages like “National Guard LOL” and walls were adorned with profane graffiti decrying ICE, LAPD, and police. Shortly after noon, guardsmen used tear gas to clear a path for DHS and Border Patrol vehicles to pass, but the crowd quickly returned.
Both the Los Angeles police department and the sheriff’s department shot flash-bangs and rubber bullets at protesters, causing distress but not serious harm. The LAPD hemmed in the national guardsmen, making it impossible for them to intervene in crowd control. Protesters split into two groups, blocking traffic by the 101 freeway and lining bridges to shout slogans and insults.
Unlike the national guardsmen, the LAPD refrained from using tear gas and avoided more extreme crowd control measures. California leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, criticized Trump for exacerbating tensions by requisitioning the state national guard. Newsom called the incident a breach of state sovereignty and urged Trump to revoke the order.
Some protesters endured insults and thrown water bottles as LAPD officers attempted to maintain control. In isolated incidents, officers manhandled or arrested individuals who physically confronted them or damaged police cars. A few protesters engaged in vandalism, spray-painting graffiti and damaging property. However, most protesters focused on expressing their anger through slogans and placards.
Protest organizer Angelica R argued that protesters were exercising their First Amendment rights and that Trump’s actions were reminiscent of a dictatorship, not its prevention. The national guard’s role and purpose were unclear, with few guardsmen deployed and many appearing to pose for photos without helmets or shades.
As the protests grew in size, the LAPD struggled to coordinate their response. Eventual clashes and counter-movements occurred when protesters heeded calls to move to different locations. The size of the protests took everyone by surprise, causing confusion and challenging law enforcement’s ability to manage the crowd.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/08/los-angeles-protests-dispatch
