Los Angeles police arrest violent agitators after downtown protests
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Los Angeles police arrested several violent agitators after issuing a dispersal order as protests broke out in the city Friday evening.
In the afternoon, thousands of protesters gathered in front of City Hall, many marching to the federal detention center; where a mob of violent agitators swarmed the area, pushing a large construction dumpster and blocking the entrance to the building’s loading dock.
The LAPD shared video of the unrest on social media and added in a separate post that authorities used pepper spray and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
“We hoped today’s demonstrations would be peaceful, but as you can see in this video, violent agitators called out the LAPD for their actions,” the department wrote.
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A protester attacks a police officer with a skateboard during a “National Shutdown” protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Los Angeles on January 30, 2026. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Five people were arrested for failure to disperse, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said at a news conference Friday evening. LAPD did not immediately confirm how many people were arrested.
The unrest emerged as cities across the country joined “Ice Everywhere” protests following the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis involving federal agents.
Bass warned protesters gathering against the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrants to remain peaceful, arguing that violent unrest is counterproductive.
“I think the protests are extremely important, but it is equally important that these protests are peaceful, that there is no vandalism,” Bass said. “This does not impact management in a way that creates any change.”
Bass maintained that violent protests were “exactly what I believe this administration wants to happen.” “Don’t be surprised if the army re-enters our city,” he added.
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The LAPD issued a dispersal order around 5:45 p.m. local time, ordering all protesters in the area of Alameda Avenue between Union Station and First Street to leave the area or face arrest.
Police also placed the city of Los Angeles on tactical alert for violent agitators in Alameda between Temple and Aliso streets.
Protesters take shelter behind a dumpster they are carrying to barricade police during a “National Shutdown” protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on January 30, 2026 in Los Angeles. (ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
While some protesters dispersed, others remained and continued to throw bottles and rocks at officers, according to the LAPD.
Additionally, the department said federal officers were hit with “debris, bottles and other objects,” resulting in authorities declaring an unlawful assembly at the detention center.
Aerial view of the anti-ICE protest in Los Angeles on Friday, January 30. (KTTV)
“Protesters are actively fighting with police officers after multiple dispersal orders have been issued,” the LAPD wrote to X. “The Metropolitan Division is currently on scene. Less than lethal force was authorized due to violence towards officers.”
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., attended the protest early Friday, chanting “ICE is from Los Angeles” in front of officers wearing riot gear.
“I see people here in the detention center exercising their constitutional rights,” Waters said. “And of course now they’re trying to throw tear gas at everyone. It’s in the air, but people aren’t moving.”
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In his own remarks, Bass also linked the protests to the recent arrest of former CNN host Don Lemon in Los Angeles; Don Lemon was charged with conspiracy to commit disenfranchisement and violating the FACE Act for participating in an anti-ICE protest that disrupted services at a church in Minnesota.
“We have a world-famous reporter here, Don Lemon. No one questions that he is a reporter; arresting him for doing his job and trying to restrict his ability to do his job is nothing short of an egregious abuse of our justice system,” he said. “And every day I think about this being the 250th anniversary of our democracy, and I wonder how much more of our democracy will be eroded with this administration.”
This is an evolving story. Please check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
