A tense Friday evening descended into chaos in downtown Los Angeles as federal immigration raids ignited furious protests, culminating in a dramatic standoff between demonstrators and helmeted police in riot gear.
The city became a flashpoint, reflecting the deep divisions fueled by President Donald Trump's intensified crackdown on undocumented migrants.
After a day of targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations saw dozens reportedly taken into custody across the city, tensions quickly escalated after nightfall. Live Reuters video showed Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers, armed with batons and what appeared to be tear gas rifles, forming lines against angry crowds. As authorities issued dispersal orders, the confrontation turned volatile. Some protesters hurled chunks of broken concrete towards officers, who responded with volleys of tear gas, pepper spray, and "flash-bang" concussion rounds to break up the gathering. While the immediate aftermath regarding arrests remained unclear, an LAPD spokesperson, Drake Madison, confirmed an unlawful assembly had been declared, subjecting non-compliant individuals to arrest.
Earlier in the day, the sheer scale of the federal operation was evident as caravans of unmarked, military-style vehicles and vans brimming with uniformed agents streamed through Los Angeles streets. ICE agents targeted various locations, including a Home Depot in the Westlake District, an apparel store in the Fashion District, and a South Los Angeles clothing warehouse, according to the Los Angeles City News Service (CNS). Local media reported scores of individuals detained in these sweeps, marking the latest wave in President Trump's aggressive push to arrest and deport undocumented migrants in unprecedented numbers.
Crucially, the LAPD's presence was solely to manage civil unrest, not to participate in the immigration enforcement itself. Protesters, incensed by the raids, had spray-painted anti-ICE slogans on a federal court building and converged outside a nearby jail believed to be holding some detainees. Impromptu demonstrations had also erupted directly at some raid sites earlier in the day. Among those impacted was David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) of California, who was injured and detained by ICE at one location. The SEIU stated Huerta was arrested "while exercising his First Amendment right to observe and document law enforcement activity," though details of his injury or any charges were not immediately available, and ICE did not respond to Reuters' inquiries.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass sharply condemned the federal actions, asserting that "these tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city." Her statement underscores the growing friction between federal immigration policies and local urban leadership, particularly in cities that serve as havens for large immigrant populations. The events of Friday highlighted not only the federal government's unwavering commitment to its immigration enforcement agenda but also the fierce resistance it continues to face on the ground.
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Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that additional news organisations could be barred from the White House, hours after announcing bans on CNN, MS NOW and Politico over coverage he described as “fake news”.
German voters cast ballots on Sunday in two state elections that could add to the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his government faces growing public frustration and a resurgent far right.
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World leaders are set to gather at the United Nations General Assembly in New York for several days of high-level debate, with Iran, Ukraine, artificial intelligence (AI) and a range of global crises expected to dominate discussions this week.
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