LA Protests 2025: A Day-by-Day Report on Immigration Raids, Unrest, and Federal Response

Day-by-Day Report of the 2025 Los Angeles Protests

Overview:
In early June 2025, ICE raids in Los Angeles ignited a week of escalating protests. Participants ranged from immigrant‐rights activists to union members, countered by heavy-handed crowd control and unprecedented federal troop deployments. Below is a concise daily breakdown.

June 6, 2025: Protests Erupt after ICE Raids

Key Events & Timestamps

8:00 AM PDT: ICE conducts pre-dawn raids at garment factories (e.g., Ambiance Apparel), a Home Depot in Westlake, and other sites, detaining 44 people for immigration violations and one for obstruction. Union leader David Huerta is arrested and hospitalized with head injuries sustained during his arrest.
7:00 PM PDT: ~200 protesters gather outside the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), chanting “Set them free!” LAPD declares an Unlawful Assembly at Alameda & Temple streets and orders dispersal.
8:24 PM PDT: Citywide tactical alert issued; LAPD deploys tear gas, pepper spray, and flash-bangs to break up clashes, marking the first use of crowd-control munitions.

Escalation

Initial peaceful demonstrations turn confrontational as demonstrators and officers clash; concrete projectiles thrown at police.

Government Responses

Local (LAPD): Tactical alert, mass arrest powers, and non-lethal munitions authorized.
Federal (ICE): “Operation At Large” continues with daily target of 3,000 arrests.
State: No state-level intervention yet.

Presidential Actions

None publicly issued on June 6.

June 7, 2025: Spread to Paramount & Compton; National Guard Federalized

Key Events & Timestamps

9:00 AM PDT: ICE raids extended to day-labor sites in Paramount and Compton; protesters confront agents, leading to injuries on both sides. DHS estimates 1,000+ demonstrators across LA.
12:00 PM PDT: 118 additional immigrants arrested; two protesters and three deputies injured—one protester by a thrown rock, two deputies by Molotov fragments. Two protesters charged with assault, one for Molotov possession.
3:00 PM PDT: Protester Nick Stern struck by less-lethal round; undergoes surgery for internal injuries.
6:00 PM PDT: Governor Newsom deploys California Highway Patrol to support LAPD.

Escalation

Use of improvised incendiaries and less-lethal rounds; multiple injuries highlight intensifying unrest.

Government Responses

State: CHP mobilized; Newsom publicly requests de-mobilization of federal forces.
Federal: President Trump federalizes 2,000 California National Guard troops (60-day authorization) and places 500 Marines on “prepared to deploy” status.

Presidential Actions

Authorization of Guard; no new public remarks.

June 8, 2025: Freeway Blockades, Vandalism, and Task Force 51

Key Events & Timestamps

11:30 AM PDT: Centro CSO rally and march to MDC draws hundreds.
2:00 PM PDT: Large demonstration at City Hall; LAPD issues another tactical alert, authorizing less-lethal munitions. National Guard and DHS deploy smoke and pepper spray at MDC.
6:00 PM PDT: Protesters block US 101 both directions, halting rush-hour traffic. At least 5 Waymo autonomous vehicles vandalized and torched; looting reported at Broadway corridor (6th & 8th Streets).
9:00 PM PDT: US Northern Command establishes Task Force 51 to coordinate military support; Glendale city council votes to terminate its ICE detention contract.

Escalation

Shutdown of major freeway and attacks on private property mark a shift to more disruptive tactics.

Government Responses

Local: LAPD intensifies crowd control; freeway closure enforcement.
Federal: Deployment of 300 additional California Army National Guard troops; Task Force 51 activated.
State: Newsom files suit against federal deployment for overreach.

Presidential Actions

In an X post, Trump praises military presence, berates Newsom and Bass, bans protest masks, and labels demonstrators “paid troublemakers”.

June 9, 2025: Peak Violence, Looting, and Media Attacks

Key Events & Timestamps

10:00 AM PDT: SEIU-led rally in Grand Park sees thousands, including local lawmakers; David Huerta released on $50 000 bond.
5:30 PM PDT: Centro CSO press conference turns into march; Robert Young Federal Building façade vandalized, Mexican flags waved as symbols of solidarity and provocation.
7:00 PM PDT: CNN crew and security briefly detained; Telemundo van vandalized. Flash-bangs and rubber bullets deployed; looting at Apple, Adidas, CVS, and jewelry stores; several museums defaced.
9:00 PM PDT: Journalist Jason Carroll detained; leaked request from Governor Kristi Noem seeks expanded detention, drone surveillance, and military logistics.

Escalation

Widespread looting, targeted attacks on media, and cultural sites indicate peak unrest.

Government Responses

Federal: Guard swells to 4,100 troops plus 700 Marines; Marines arrive from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines.
State: California readies legal action to block troop presence.

Presidential Actions

Trump declares “These Lawless Riots Only Strengthen Our Resolve,” orders to “Liberate Los Angeles” and vows unlimited troop deployments via X posts.

June 10, 2025: Curfew, State of Emergency, Continued Clashes

Key Events & Timestamps

2:00 PM PDT: Protests erupt again at 300 N. LA St. Federal Building and other federal sites; unlawful assembly declared.
3:00 PM PDT: Arrests mount as protesters briefly occupy US 101; dozens detained los40.com.
6:00 PM PDT: A woman struck point-blank by less-lethal round sparks public outrage; video circulates widely
8:00 PM PDT: Mayor Bass declares State of Emergency and imposes 8 PM–6 AM curfew for downtown LA zones.

Escalation

Shooting of a protester with non-lethal ammunition amid curfew onset underscores volatility.

Government Responses

Local: Curfew enforcement, mass arrests, and continued use of foam rounds.
Federal: Guard at 2,100 (drawdown from peak) with 700 Marines still present.
State: Lawsuit against federal troop deployment moves forward.

Presidential Actions

No new statements, but troop posture remains unchanged.

June 11, 2025: Sustained Protests & Renewed Raids

Key Events & Timestamps

10:00 AM PDT: Three downtown protests face pre-curfew foam rounds and flash-bangs; dozens arrested.
12:00 PM PDT: ICE raids resume in Downey (Home Depot, L.A. Fitness, churches); ~300 migrants detained in post-June 6 operations, with CHIRLA reporting limited visitation access.
8:00 PM PDT: Second curfew night: scattered protests continue under heavy enforcement.

Escalation

Persistent low-level clashes and repeated raids keep tensions high as curfew nights become routine.

Government Responses

Local: LAPD curfew enforcement, continued use of non-lethal munitions.
Federal: Guard and Marines maintained; coordination issues noted between military and local authorities.
State: Litigation against Trump’s actions proceeds; hearings scheduled.

Presidential Actions

In an X post, Trump labels protesters “animals” and a “foreign enemy,” hints at invoking Insurrection Act, and vows “every asset” will be used.

Analysis of Escalations

June 6: Peaceful to violent transition with LAPD’s first tear-gas deployment.
June 7: Molotov cocktails and hospitalizations mark new violence.
June 8: Freeway shutdowns and property destruction intensify disruption.
June 9: Peak looting and attacks on media; military presence at its height.
June 10: Curfew imposition and controversial use of force sustain tensions.
June 11: Protests persist despite curfew; new raids keep momentum alive.

Federal & State Strategies

Federal: Escalating troop deployments (up to 4,100 Guard + 700 Marines), Task Force 51 coordination, and public threats of broader military authority.
State & Local: Curfews, emergency declarations, CHP support, and a high-stakes lawsuit contesting federal overreach. Community groups (e.g., CHIRLA, SEIU) push for humanitarian access and de-escalation.

Table: Key Events and Escalations

Date	Time (PDT)	Event	Escalation Indicator	Government Response	Trump’s Statements/Actions
June 6	8:00 AM	ICE raids at Fashion District, Ambiance Apparel, Home Depot; 44 arrested		LAPD tactical alert	None
June 6	7:00 PM	200 protesters at Metropolitan Detention Center; unlawful assembly	Clashes with LAPD, tear gas used	LAPD uses crowd control measures	None
June 6	8:24 PM	Citywide tactical alert issued			None
June 7	9:00 AM	Raids in Paramount and Compton; 1,000 protesters; 118 arrested	Clashes, injuries, Molotov cocktail	Newsom deploys CHP; Trump federalizes Guard	Federalizes 2,000 National Guard
June 7	3:00 PM	Nick Stern injured by less-lethal rounds			None
June 8	11:30 AM	Centro CSO rally and march			None
June 8	2:00 PM	Protests at City Hall			None
June 8	2:30 PM	LAPD tactical alert; smoke and pepper spray used		300 Guard troops deployed	Praises Guard, bans masks
June 8	6:00 PM	US 101 freeway blocked; Waymo cars vandalized	Freeway blockade, vandalism	Task Force 51 established	Criticizes Newsom and Bass
June 9	10:00 AM	SEIU rally at Grand Park			None
June 9	5:30 PM	Centro CSO march; federal building vandalized	Vandalism, media attacks	Guard to 4,100; 700 Marines deployed	Orders “Liberation” of LA
June 9	7:00 PM	Media detained; looting at stores	Looting, media detentions		Calls for troops everywhere
June 10	2:00 PM	Unlawful assembly declared at federal buildings		Curfew, state of emergency	None
June 10	3:00 PM	Arrests begin; freeway briefly occupied	Freeway occupation		None
June 10	6:00 PM	Woman shot with less-lethal ammunition	Shooting incident		None
June 11	10:00 AM	Three protests; foam rounds and flash bangs used	Continued protests	Limited sheriff-military coordination	Calls protesters “foreign enemy”
June 11	12:00 PM	Raids in Downey; ~300 migrants detained	New raids		Mentions Insurrection Act

Los Angeles Pro-Immigration Protest Report (June 12–14, 2025)

June 12, 2025 (Thursday)

Midday (approx. 12:00–12:30 pm): Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem holds a news conference in downtown L.A., vowing to “liberate” the city from its “burdensome leadership”. During the event, Sen. Alex Padilla (D–CA) raises questions about the ICE raids and is forcibly removed and handcuffed by security while trying to speak. (Noem later tells a reporter she believed Padilla had “lunged forward” without identifying himself.)

Midday: In federal court in San Francisco, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer grants California’s emergency motion for a temporary restraining order, finding Trump’s federalization of the state Guard “illegal” and ordering all Guard troops under state control by the next day. The administration immediately appeals. Late Thursday, the Ninth Circuit stays Judge Breyer’s order pending a June 17 hearing, allowing Guard units to remain under federal command for now.

Afternoon: Small, largely peaceful demonstrations continue around federal buildings. (By late afternoon the LAPD had surrounded and dispersed one small rally near a Wilshire Blvd. federal facility with riot officers, but no major clashes are reported.) At City Hall, Mayor Karen Bass condemns the raids, calling them “terroriz[ing] our communities” and vowing “we will not stand for this”. (Bass had already imposed an 8:00 pm–6:00 am curfew in parts of downtown.) Federal and state leaders exchange sharp rhetoric: Gov. Newsom tweets that Trump must return control of the National Guard to California, while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt calls Padilla’s actions “childish”.

June 13, 2025 (Friday)

Morning–Noon: U.S. Marines deployed outside the Wilshire Federal Building carry out their first known detention. Reuters witnesses Marines zip-tie a 27-year-old civilian (Army veteran Marcos Leao) who approached a restricted area; he is held about two hours then handed to DHS agents. (U.S. Northern Command later clarifies that active-duty troops may “temporarily detain” civilians but must turn them over to police for formal arrest.) This comes as Marines (about 200 strong) and roughly 4,000 National Guard members guard federal sites in L.A. after last week’s raids.

All Day: Protests continue for an eighth straight day, mostly in downtown L.A. Law enforcement reports that nearly all demonstrators remain peaceful. Sheriff Robert Luna says “fewer than 1%” of participants have caused trouble. Only a handful are arrested on felony charges (e.g. assault, vandalism, looting) – “a big difference between legitimate protesters and people who come out to cause problems,” Luna notes. Police and Guard troops do not engage in large-scale clashes; a few projectiles or fireworks are reported but no serious injuries.

Local Government: Mayor Bass continues to defend civilian control. In a joint news conference (June 11) with local officials she asks, “Can the federal government seize power from a state and local jurisdiction?”. She reiterates that the curfew remains in effect (covering a square-mile of downtown) and will stay until “the cause of the turmoil ends”. Chief Jim McDonnell stresses police want peaceful protests and will only act if violence erupts.

Federal Government: The White House and federal agencies stand firm. President Trump publicly celebrates the appeals court’s decision to keep the Guard in L.A., claiming “if I didn’t send the Military into Los Angeles, that city would be burning to the ground… We saved L.A.”. The administration also announces a pause on most planned ICE workplace raids (farms, hotels, restaurants) nationwide for 30 days, citing labor needs and acknowledging that aggressive raids (like those in L.A.) have “sparked protests and pushback”. This ICE pause is presented as a response to concerns raised by Democrats and community leaders.

June 14, 2025 (Saturday – “No Kings Day”)

Pre-Dawn (7–9 am): Mayor Bass and law enforcement prepare for “No Kings” demonstrations (part of a nationwide anti-Trump protest day coinciding with the D.C. military parade). At 9:00 am she and police leaders hold a briefing urging peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights. Bass warns anyone attending, “Please do not give the administration an excuse to intervene,” emphasizing that the city has “zero tolerance” for violence or property damage. LAPD Chief McDonnell announces the downtown curfew (8 pm–6 am) will remain in effect “indefinitely” through the weekend. (Early on the 14th the city also orders Waymo to suspend its robotaxi service after at least five self-driving Waymo cars were burned in previous riots.)

Morning: Large crowds gather at multiple L.A. sites (e.g. City Hall, USC, UCLA, MacArthur Park). The Fox11 live blog notes dozens of local rallies with perhaps thousands overall. By mid-morning 10:25 am, LAPD reports that 523 people have been arrested since June 7 for protest-related offenses (most for curfew violations or vandalism); nine officers have been injured. Barricades and heavy police presence cordon off key areas. No major violent incidents are reported early Saturday. (In one example, about 200 people stage a protest at City Hall, but it remains peaceful under LAPD observation.)

Afternoon: Protests largely continue without major clashes. Some smaller confrontations occur – a few objects thrown or arrestable offenses – but law enforcement intervenes quickly. By late afternoon there are reports of dozens more arrests for curfew-breaking and vandalism. Officials (Bass, Luna, McDonnell) reiterate that peaceful protesters are welcome but anyone engaging in illegal acts will be arrested. Meanwhile, cars burned in earlier protests (including Waymo taxis) remain charred reminders of past unrest.

Evening: The 8:00 pm curfew comes into force. Authorities report most crowds have dispersed by curfew time. Mayor Bass and Sheriff Luna hold joint press calls emphasizing a return to calm. Bass thanks peaceful participants and repeats that federal raids are the “cause” of the turmoil – “if the cause ends, the curfew will go away,” she says. No unexpected escalations occur on June 14.

Related Protests in California

Demonstrations in other California cities mirrored the anger over L.A. raids. For example, on June 8 in San Francisco, hundreds of activists rallied at the downtown ICE office. Police declared an unlawful assembly and ultimately arrested 148 people amid clashes and property damage. In Santa Ana (Orange County) on June 9, a crowd of 100–1,000 protesters gathered at the federal building; after police declared it unlawful some demonstrators threw fireworks and objects, and dozens were arrested. Also on June 9, about 50 people marched in Sacramento to the local ICE field office. These solidarity actions – spanning the Bay Area to the Central Valley and beyond – underscored statewide resistance to the federal raids and the deployment in Los Angeles.

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