LA unrest continues with riots four days after ICE raids

Los Angeles police on Monday declared an unlawful assembly order for the city’s Civic Center area on the fourth day of protests and riots that followed immigration enforcement raids. FBI director Kash Patel on Monday said his agency would help restore law and order in the city. The Los Angeles FBI field office planned to federally prosecute rioters who assaulted law enforcement, assistant director Akil Davis said on Sunday.

President Trump also deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles over the weekend. He federalized control of the troops to deploy them over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s objections. They were authorized to protect federal personnel and property and could remain in Los Angeles for 60 days. The National Guard began to arrive in the city on Sunday, according to Mayor Karen Bass.

What’s happened so far? Protests which began on Friday escalated into violent riots. Demonstrators on Friday afternoon gathered outside a detention center, where some of the protesters said hundreds of immigrants were being held. Protesters also blocked Los Angeles St. At least 800 people breached the first security layer of a federal law enforcement building on Friday, assaulting immigration officers and spray-painting vehicles, according to Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin.

Over the next two days, rioters also blocked metro train tracks and major roads, constructed barricades, attacked law enforcement, and set cars on fire in downtown Los Angeles. They threw chunks of concrete, electric scooters, and fireworks at officers from an overpass, according to the Associated Press. Los Angeles law enforcement began using rubber bullets, tear gas, and other less-lethal munitions to attempt to disperse rioters. By Sunday evening, 39 people had been arrested, police said at a news conference. 

What led to the riots? Federal agents arrested illegal immigrants at several locations around Los Angeles on Friday. Mayor Bass on Friday said that the immigration enforcement actions were sowing terror and disrupting public safety. She was contacting immigrant rights groups, she said. Several groups called for emergency protests to demand the release of immigrants.

What did California officials say? Newsom and Bass both blamed the riots on the Trump administration. Newsom on Monday said Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles caused further chaos and violence. 

How many people have been hurt? There’s no official count yet. Two police officers suffered injuries after being hit by motorcycle-riding rioters, according to Los Angeles police. A British photographer needed surgery after being hit with a sponge bullet, according to the BBC.

What property damage has occurred so far?Along with vandalizing federal properties, rioters burned at least five Waymo driverless cars, according to local news. The cars are estimated to cost $150,000 to $200,000 each. Looters also broke into businesses in the 6th Street and Broadway historic area, according to Los Angeles police.