The Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly in downtown Los Angeles Sunday afternoon, ordering protesters to disperse as demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement escalated for yet another day.
This comes as rioters could be seen torching and vandalizing Waymo driverless cars. Cam Higby was on the scene capturing footage of the mayhem.
"The Waymo autonomous driving vehicle continues to burn, the federal building is over run. No police or national guard to be seen," Higby wrote.
Officers moved in to make arrests after the riot was declared.
Officers moved in to make arrests as rioters stormed onto the freeway.
"All persons must leave the area or be subject to arrest," LAPD said in a statement. LAPD on Saturday night released a statement characterizing the demonstrations as "peaceful" despite reports of protesters setting fires and attacking officers.
Police in riot gear moved to clear crowds gathered near the federal detention center after rioters threw objects at law enforcement. The direct action was part of a weekend of unrest in which agitators took aim at ICE agents conducting workplace enforcement and attempting to detain illegal immigrants who have committed violent crimes.
President Donald Trump had ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, with hundreds initially being stationed around federal buildings downtown to protect property and personnel.
Despite the presence of the National Guard, demonstrations that turned to riots continued throughout the day. Protesters shut down streets, chanting, “Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE” and “Up up up with the immigrants, down down down with Trump.”
In Boyle Heights, protesters assembled at Mariachi Plaza and marched toward downtown while waving foreign flags. Outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, the crowd briefly scattered after tear gas was deployed by authorities but regrouped once the air cleared.
Trump warned public officials on Sunday that those who interfere with federal deportation efforts could face legal consequences.
"Officials who stand in the way of law and order, yeah, they will face judges,” he told reporters, according to NBC News.
Border czar Tom Homan echoed the warning, stating that public officials could face arrest if they impede immigration enforcement. Homan added that he would not rule out referring officials to the Department of Justice for prosecution, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Governor Newsom responded to the demonstrations by urging protestors to remain peaceful.
“Don’t give Trump what he wants. Stay calm. Stay peaceful,” Newsom posted on X.
