June 12, 2025: Los Angeles has seen escalating unrest over the past week following immigration raids, with nearly 400 people arrested amid widespread protests. The demonstrations intensified after President Donald Trump deployed more than 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines across the city to support immigration enforcement — a deployment reportedly larger than those in Iraq and Syria.
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The protests have occasionally turned violent. Authorities report several serious charges including assault on police officers and possession of weapons such as Molotov cocktails and guns. Despite a citywide night curfew, clashes continued, with officers firing crowd control projectiles that injured at least one young woman.
Protesters lit fireworks near the federal building, a focal point of the unrest, while others held a dance party simultaneously. Police in riot gear, including mounted units, pushed demonstrators away from the civic center and City Hall, using wooden rods to disperse crowds.
In response to the federal troop deployment, California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit seeking to block the military’s involvement, arguing it infringes on the state’s sovereignty. The Trump administration defended the action, calling it “lawful statutory and constitutional power” to protect federal personnel and property. The dispute is scheduled for a court hearing on Thursday.