Demonstrators clashed with the US National Guard and police in Los Angeles on Sunday, where tear gas and pepper spray were fired at the crowd protesting against the anti-immigration raids by authorities. US President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops to the streets of Los Angeles after protests erupted when federal immigration authorities arrested dozens of people across Los Angeles as part of an immigration crackdown.
Police officers stand amid tear gas during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles (Source: Reuters)
Trump also threatened to deploy Marines to the demonstrations for the "escalating situation", even as California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom called the troop deployment unlawful, saying it would only escalate tensions.
(Source: Reuters)
In a post on X, Newsom said Trump's move came "despite protests already being managed by the LAPD".
"Los Angeles: Remain peaceful. Don't fall into the trap that extremists are hoping for," he said, adding that "We didn't have a problem until Trump got involved."
Fans hold up protest signs in the stands after the game between Sporting Kansas City and Los Angeles FC at BMO Stadium (Source: AFP)
"This is a serious breach of state sovereignty -- inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they're actually needed. Rescind the order. Return control to California," he said in another post over the deployment of the National Guard.
Demonstrators take cover behind a makeshift barricade as Los Angeles police officers shoot at them with non-lethal ammunition as clashes erupt next to City Hall during a protest (Source: AFP)
Meanwhile, unrest continued for a third day, with protesters angry at the action by immigration officials--which began in broad daylight on Friday in a city with a large Latino population-- that has resulted in dozens of arrests of what authorities say are illegal migrants and gang members.
An attendee is seen at the 2025 LA Pride Parade on June 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Source: AFP)
Meanwhile, protestors burned at least three self-driving Waymo cars on Sunday, with two others vandalised as protesters roamed around a limited area in downtown Los Angeles. Traffic was halted on a key freeway for over an hour while scores of people thronged the roadway.
A Waymo vehicle is burning, as protesters clash with law enforcement in the streets surrounding the federal building during a protest following federal immigration operations in Los Angeles (Sources: AFP)
They were moved off by California Highway Patrol officers, who used flash-bangs and smoke grenades. By early afternoon, LAPD officers established containment lines some distance from federal buildings, preventing contact between angry demonstrators and the scores of armed National Guardsmen from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, who had gathered in helmets and camouflage gear.
Demonstrators wave flags from atop a wrecked car, standing beside burning Waymo vehicles, as protesters clash with law enforcement in the streets surrounding the federal building during a protest following federal immigration operations in Los Angeles (Source: AFP)
As night fell, a few dozen people -- many wearing masks and hoodies -- remained in hotspots, with some lobbing projectiles and fireworks.
A demonstrator wears goggles and a face mask during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles (Source: Reuters)
Law enforcement has arrested at least 56 people over two days, and three officers have suffered minor injuries, LAPD said.
