LA ICE protests, Day 2: Paramount, downtown LA at center of car fires, smoke bomb explosions
Agents in riot gear toss smoke bombs, explosions in LA
Agents in riot gear have made their way to the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles as there were exchanges of smoke bombs, tear gas and fireworks between law enforcement, protesters, and agitators with no ties to immigration advocacy.
LOS ANGELES - Anti-ICE protests broke out for the second day in a row in Los Angeles County. This time, cars were lit on fire, rocks were thrown at border patrol agents, and the Trump administration is sending the National Guard to Paramount and downtown Los Angeles on Saturday.
The clashes between federal law enforcement and civilians come as border patrol officers have made their way to Southern California in gray SUVs and attire resembling riot gear this weekend. Their presence has alarmed Angelenos, prompting witnesses and activists to suspect the staging of ICE raids.
FOX 11 caught the tense moments in Los Angeles County's Paramount neighborhood on Saturday as protesters, alleged agitators, and federal agents all clashed with one another.
Below are live updates of the ongoing protests happening across Los Angeles (all times listed in Pacific Standard Time):
11:45 p.m.: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass shared her reaction to Trump calling the National Guard and the ongoing ICE raids taking place in her city.
LA Mayor reacts to Trump sending National Guard
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass spoke with FOX 11 to share her reaction to the anti-ICE protests and President Donald Trump blasting her leadership on social media.
11:20 p.m.: Protesters running away from police were spotted running along the downtown LA train tracks.
Protesters run along train tracks to avoid police
Protesters and potential onlookers running away from police were spotted running along the downtown LA train tracks. The shocking scene comes as LAPD threatened to arrest anyone for breaking dispersal orders that were issued earlier Saturday night.
10:30 p.m.: The scene in downtown Los Angeles has calmed down significantly compared to the smoke bomb detonation and alleged taunts by federal agents that took place between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
10 p.m.: FOX 11's Laura Diaz reports it was federal law enforcement who threw smoke bombs at protesters in downtown Los Angeles around 8:30 p.m.
Agents in riot gear toss smoke bombs, explosions in LA
Agents in riot gear have made their way to the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles as there were exchanges of smoke bombs, tear gas and fireworks between law enforcement, protesters, and agitators with no ties to immigration advocacy.
9 p.m.: LAPD has declared unlawful assembly in downtown Los Angeles for North Alameda Street between East Aliso Street and East Temple Street. LAPD adds the armed guards can shoot nonlethal pepper bullets at those who refuse to comply.
8:30 p.m.: Law enforcement in riot gear have made their way to downtown Los Angeles. Smoke bombs have been tossed around the scene. It is unknown if they were members of the National Guard.
Armed law enforcement arrive in LA
Law enforcement in riot gear made their way to downtown Los Angeles. Smoke bombs were thrown across the scene as Los Angeles County is in Day 2 of anti-ICE protests. It is unknown if these are members of the National Guard.
7:15 p.m.: A separate street protest has begun at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles.
6:05 p.m.: Karen Bass issued the following statement in response to the unrest in Paramount:
"This is a difficult time for our city. As we recover from an unprecedented natural disaster, many in our community are feeling fear following recent federal immigration enforcement actions across Los Angeles County.
Reports of unrest outside the city, including in Paramount, are deeply concerning. We’ve been in direct contact with officials in Washington, D.C., and are working closely with law enforcement to find the best path forward.
Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable."
5:25 p.m.: President Donald Trump confirms on his Truth Social page that he will take matters into his own hands over the anti-ICE protests.
"If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved," Trump said on Truth Social.
4:50 p.m.: The Trump administration will send the National Guard to Los Angeles County in the wake of the 2-day protests, FOX News reports.
4:45 p.m.: A white sedan is set on fire several blocks from the center of the Paramount protests. The fire broke out at Atlantic Avenue and Alondra Boulevard.
Car set on fire near Day 2 of anti-ICE protests
A car was set on fire a short distance from the site of the anti-ICE protests in Paramount.
3:30 p.m.: A group of Customs and Border Protection officers left the Paramount scene with windows cracked. FOX News' Bill Melugin reports the rocks pelted at the CBP agents could have died from the attacks in Paramount.
2:30 p.m.: FOX 11's unmarked news vehicle got broken into, windows smashed, body spray painted with "F*** ICE" and had its tires slashed. FOX 11's Matthew Seedorff said the team had parked the car in the Home Depot parking lot, which was near the tense Paramount scene.
2 p.m.: A small fire was started along Alondra Boulevard outside the Home Depot in Paramount.
Noon: Federal agents fire nonlethal at alleged agitators in Paramount.
11:45 a.m.: Arrests being captured on FOX 11's cameras in Paramount. FOX 11's Matthew Seedorff reports the Paramount scene is not believed to be an ICE raid, but more likely a staging area.
11 a.m.: Protesters and federal authorities came face to face at a business center across the street from a Home Depot in Paramount.
Day 1 of LA protests
The backstory:
On Friday, protests broke out in Los Angeles's downtown and Westlake areas. Dozens of people were taken into custody following the clash between federal law enforcement staff and the public.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Protests break out after dozens taken into custody by federal agents
ICE raid: Protesters clash with officers in DTLA
Protests in downtown LA turned violent Friday night as officers and protesters clashed. An unlawful assembly was declared.
Nationwide arrests
Big picture view:
The recent raids come in the wake of President Donald Trump's nationwide push for mass deportations.
Internal government data shows ICE arrests during President Donald Trump's second term have already surpassed 100,000 this week, including over 2,000 arrests on both Tuesday and Wednesday. This marks a dramatic increase from the daily average of approximately 660 arrests during the first 100 days of the Trump administration.
These numbers reportedly move closer to the stated goal of top administration officials, such as White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who has pushed for ICE to conduct "a minimum" of 3,000 arrests each day.
The Source: This article used information provided by previous FOX 11 coverage and updates provided by crews at the scene.