LOS ANGELES — The “National Shutdown” intended to paralyze the country’s economy reached a boiling point in Southern California Friday night as peaceful marches devolved into heated clashes between protesters and law enforcement. What began as a massive “ICE Out” demonstration, drawing upwards of 5,000 people to the streets of downtown Los Angeles, ended with tactical alerts and the deployment of chemical agents.
A City Under Siege
The day began with thousands of students, workers, and activists gathering at City Hall and Grand Park, responding to a nationwide call for “no work, no school, no shopping”. The movement—triggered by the recent fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis—sought to pressure the Trump administration to withdraw federal immigration officers from local communities.
While the afternoon remained overwhelmingly peaceful, the atmosphere shifted as darkness fell.
Midnight Clashes at the Detention Center
As the crowd marched toward the Metropolitan Detention Center—a facility frequently used by ICE—the situation turned volatile, with protesters attacking what appeared to be prisoner transport van leaving the federal facility. Federal officers were seen with protective shields attempting to retreat into the building after clearing a path for the van.
As the protest turned into a riot, video footage showed a group of agitators toppling a structure and dragging a large red construction dumpster to block the entrance to the facility’s loading dock. The rioters later set the debris on fire a short time later.
- Vandalism: Protesters spray-painted anti-ICE slogans across the walls of federal buildings.
In response, the LAPD went to a “tactical alert” and issued dispersal orders shortly before 6:00 p.m.. When the crowd refused to move, officers deployed pepper balls, tear gas, and other less-than-lethal munitions to break up the mob of roughly 200 people remaining outside the detention center.
The Fallout: Arrests and Ongoing Unrest
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, seemingly unaware of the immense violence taking place on the streets, tweeted out that “peaceful protest is a constitutional right. I urge Angelenos to exercise that right safely and not give this administration an excuse to escalate. Los Angeles stands together.”
The unrest in Los Angeles was mirrored across the country as part of the “National Shutdown,” which reportedly affected over 300 cities. Beyond the streets, the movement saw significant local impact:
- School Walkouts: Hundreds of high school students across Los Angeles joined University students in walking out of classes to join the downtown march.
- Business Closures: Numerous local businesses, ranging from coffee shops to bookstores, shuttered their doors in solidarity with the strike.
As of Saturday morning, activists are planning a second day of action with a major rally scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Los Angeles City Hall.
