Los Angeles witnessed a third straight day of mass protests on Sunday, June 8, 2025, as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in response to sweeping federal immigration raids and the controversial deployment of the National Guard by former President Donald Trump. What began as peaceful rallies quickly escalated into violent confrontations near the Metropolitan Detention Centre, where several detainees are being held following the raids.
Protesters—many waving signs and chanting slogans like “shame” and “go home”—faced off against National Guard troops clad in riot gear, backed by Los Angeles Metro Police. Authorities used tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades to disperse crowds after some demonstrators reportedly threw rocks and concrete at federal agents.
The Trigger: ICE Raids and Federal Troop Deployment
The protests erupted late Friday after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents began conducting aggressive immigration sweeps across Southern California. Latino-majority neighborhoods, including Paramount and Compton, quickly became flashpoints. Demonstrators gathered outside locations like Home Depot, which allegedly served as a staging ground for Border Patrol vehicles.
As of Sunday morning, ICE reported 118 arrests, with several high-profile activists and even a prominent union leader taken into custody during protests.
The situation escalated when President Trump invoked a rarely used federal provision allowing troop deployment in cases of “rebellion or threat of rebellion.” He authorized US Northern Command to take control of the California National Guard—without state consent—and ordered 2,000 soldiers into Los Angeles for a minimum of 60 days.
Tensions Boil Over: Sunday Highlights
- Unlawful assembly declared: After protesters surrounded the detention center, chanting and throwing objects, LAPD declared an unlawful assembly and used force to disperse the crowd.
- Multiple protest zones: Demonstrations spread across downtown LA, Paramount, Compton, and the 101 Freeway, which was temporarily blocked by protestors.
- Clashes in Paramount: On Saturday, protesters clashed with Border Patrol near a Home Depot, where authorities responded with pepper balls and tear gas.
- Arrests continue: Sunday saw continued arrests, with protesters charged for obstruction, vandalism, and unlawful assembly.
Political Fallout
California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly condemned the National Guard deployment, calling it a “serious breach of state sovereignty” in a letter to Trump. He warned that the federalization of state forces would inflame tensions, rather than restore order.
“This is not about law and order,” Newsom stated. “This is about chaos engineered by the federal government to justify overreach.”
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that if unrest continues, Marines from Camp Pendleton may be deployed—a suggestion Newsom slammed as “deranged.” Hegseth fired back, accusing California officials of losing control of the streets.
LAPD Stance and Community Response
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stressed that his department is not assisting ICE in civil immigration enforcement and follows a strict policy against detaining individuals based on immigration status. However, the department is working in tandem with the National Guard to secure government buildings and maintain order.
Immigration advocates, many of whom have staged regular peaceful protests, expressed outrage at the deployment and called for nationwide solidarity marches.
A Nation Watching
With immigration once again taking center stage in the national discourse, the events in Los Angeles are now seen as a flashpoint in the broader debate over federal vs. state authority, immigration policy, and civil liberties. Tensions remain high, with more protests expected in the coming days—and the eyes of the nation watching closely.