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After thousands of people gathered in downtown Los Angeles for a day of demonstrations, the atmosphere shifted from peaceful to violent with escalating unrest leading the police to use tear gas.
LAPD issued a warning stating, “The demonstration has taken the street. A DISPERSAL ORDER has been issued for all persons located on Alameda south of Aliso and North of Temple to immediately leave the area.”
“These violent rioters are fighting against LAW and ORDER,” the statement continued.
Earlier in the day, LA Mayor Karen Bass pleaded with the public to protest peacefully.
During a news conference, Bass urged the marchers in Los Angeles to avoid providing any justification for the Administration to intervene, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the peace.
“Let’s make sure we show the world the best of L.A. and our country. Let’s stand in contrast to the provocation, escalation, and violence of this Administration.”
This comes as thousands are protesting across Los Angeles and nationwide Saturday, June 14, against the Trump administration, which also coincides with a military parade in D.C. and the president’s 79th birthday.
The protests follow several days of nationwide protests against federal immigration raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
A man spits on a burning American flag during an anti-ICE protest in Los Angeles. (Oliya Scootercaster/FreedomNewsTV)
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna announced Friday that nearly a dozen deputies were injured during the ongoing riots after protesters launched rocks, Molotov cocktails and “high-grade pyrotechnics” at them.
Since Saturday, June 7, the LAPD has made over 500 arrests related to protest activity, according to the LAPD.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has continued to try and cast blame for the escalating protests on Trump, claiming that they were peaceful demonstrations before the National Guard and his rhetoric accelerated the conflict.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Newsom‘s office said that the Trump administration “didn’t even tap into the additional resources available to clean up their mess.”
“Let’s be clear: The National Guard wasn’t needed in Los Angeles. State and local law enforcement were responding, and federal agencies didn’t even tap into the additional resources available to clean up their mess. Calls for troops to handle a protest show a basic misunderstanding of how public safety works — which is rather shocking for someone who used to have a badge.”
Fox News Digital’s Alex Koch, Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, and Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected]
