LOS ANGELES — A wave of protests erupted across Los Angeles in mid-June 2025, following a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting undocumented immigrants. The demonstrations, organized under the “No Kings” movement, escalated over the weekend, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement. As of June 16, city officials reported nearly $20 million in damages resulting from the unrest.
The protests were sparked by President Donald Trump’s directive to intensify immigration enforcement in Democratic strongholds, including Los Angeles. In a Truth Social post, Trump accused Democrats of using immigrants to bolster voter numbers and expand social services, stating his administration would allocate all available resources to combat what he called “Mass Destruction Migration” .
The “No Kings” movement, which began as a response to perceived authoritarian tendencies in the Trump administration, organized nationwide protests on June 14. In Los Angeles, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in areas like West Hollywood, Los Feliz, and Pasadena to express their dissent. The protests celebrated LA’s diverse communities, with signs and speeches advocating for immigration rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and legal accountability .
While many protests remained peaceful, some areas experienced significant unrest. In downtown Los Angeles, clashes between protesters and law enforcement led to the deployment of tear gas and less-lethal munitions. A notable incident occurred when a driver ran over a protester’s leg at an intersection, an act currently under investigation as a hit-and-run .
The economic impact of the protests has been substantial. Businesses in areas like Little Tokyo reported significant losses due to property damage and decreased foot traffic. Rico Alsaffarini, owner of Mike’s Deli, stated, “We lost about 50% to 60%… that’s a huge amount,” highlighting the financial strain on local businesses .
In response to the escalating situation, Mayor Karen Bass imposed a curfew in downtown Los Angeles, initially set from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., later adjusted to start at 10 p.m. Bass credited the curfew and other crime prevention strategies for successfully protecting the downtown area, stating, “The curfew, coupled with ongoing crime prevention efforts, have been largely successful in protecting stores, restaurants, businesses and residential communities from bad actors who do not care about the immigrant community” .
The federal response included the deployment of approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles. This move was met with opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who filed a lawsuit challenging the federalization of the state’s National Guard, arguing that it violated constitutional limits .
As the city continues to grapple with the aftermath of the protests, the events have highlighted the deep divisions and tensions surrounding immigration policies and federal authority. The “No Kings” movement and the response it has elicited underscore the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement and civil liberties.