Downtown Los Angeles descended into chaos for a third consecutive day on Sunday as protests against recent immigration enforcement actions turned violent, resulting in clashes with police, widespread property damage, and the burning of autonomous vehicles. The acrid smell of smoke and burning metal permeated the air as law enforcement deployed tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators who attempted to breach police lines near the Metropolitan Detention Center.
The normally vibrant city center took on an apocalyptic atmosphere with the constant wail of sirens, circling police helicopters, and intermittent explosions from crowd-control devices. Protesters, angered by recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and detentions, targeted the area surrounding the federal detention facility where numerous detainees are held. The demonstration escalated when participants began throwing projectiles including rocks, glass bottles, and fireworks at officers in riot gear.
Among the most dramatic incidents, at least three Waymo autonomous vehicles were vandalized and set ablaze by protesters. Social media footage showed crowds cheering as flames engulfed the self-driving cars, with the charred remains still smoldering after nightfall. The destruction occurred amid chants and slogans condemning current immigration policies, with many participants recording the chaotic scenes on their mobile devices.
Law enforcement authorities reported that the situation intensified when mounted police units faced off against demonstrators near both the detention center and Los Angeles City Hall. After repeated attempts to push through police barricades, officers responded with a coordinated deployment of crowd-control measures including baton charges, rubber bullets, and tear gas canisters that eventually dispersed the crowds. By evening, streets surrounding the protest zone were littered with debris including shattered glass, spent munitions, and the wreckage of burned vehicles.
“This is not just about immigration,” said protester Luis, who declined to provide his full name while holding a sign reading “Let our neighbors go through US.” “This is about who gets to belong in this country. America was built by immigrants, and we should be opening our doors, not shutting them,” he added, echoing the sentiments of many demonstrators who view current policies as fundamentally un-American. The protests mark the latest in a series of nationwide demonstrations responding to increased immigration enforcement actions under the current administration.
Authorities have not yet released official casualty figures or arrest totals from Sunday’s events, though eyewitness accounts and social media posts suggest multiple injuries on both sides. The Los Angeles Police Department has scheduled a press conference for Monday morning to address the ongoing situation and outline security measures for potential continued demonstrations. Business owners in the affected areas have begun assessing damage to property, while city sanitation crews prepare for a major cleanup operation in the protest zone.
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