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Amidst a storm of protests and arrests in downtown Los Angeles, immigration officials appear to be stepping up operations across Southern California as federal officials pledge to promote crackdowns on workers and residents without proper documentation.
The immigrant sweep spread fear and uncertainty throughout the region, forcing some to hide. Supporters say federal agents are reported outside of schools, at work and even churches.
At the same time, officials from the Los Angeles Police Department are reporting an increase in success in eliminating violence and property damage at the city’s core thanks to the 8pm curfew imposed this week.
Los Angeles was the central stage of national immigration debate when federal immigration officials supported by armored vehicles carried out an immigrant raid in downtown clothing districts on Friday, with the government prioritizing deportation.
The sweep was filled with swift and intense backlash from community members who surrounded the scene to protest enforcement action. More conflicts have continued over the weekend in Paramount in pockets around the county where agents are detaining immigrants without proper documentation, and more conflicts have since occurred, White House officials said.
On Wednesday, masked federal agents detained at least 12 people from Downey businesses, but community members were able to discourage them from taking one man without proper documentation.
In the video of the encounter, the unidentified man can be seen sitting on the ground surrounded by masked agents who were chasing him. The man discovered immigration and customs enforcement at his job and rode a bike, but one of the masked men grabbed his tires and defeated him, ABC7 reported.
Melyssa Rivas documented members of the community peering into federal agents with questions about why they were chasing men. It is unclear why the agent urged him to leave the scene.
“It looked like a complete temptation scene in the film, but it was scary,” Rivas told ABC 7.
Downey Councillor Mario Trujillo said at a press conference Wednesday that the attack “creates chaos and fear” in the community.
As the response from the federal government increased, they first brought the National Guard and then the Marines – so did the demonstration.
At 7:30pm on Wednesday, LAPD announced it would arrest all remaining protesters in downtown. Fifteen minutes later, the protest was surrounded by dozens of protesters outside the county courthouse.
Apparently resigned to their fate, protesters sat on the road and began writing numbers of bail support in their arms. Over 100 law enforcement officers surrounded them on the block.
A day ago, Mayor Karen Bass enacted curfews in most of downtown Los Angeles from 8pm to 6am to slaughter violence and vandalism. That night, 17 people were arrested on suspicion of violating the curfew, police said.
The curfew, which is expected to remain for several days, covers downtown civic centers, including city hall, major county criminal courts, LAPD headquarters and federal buildings.
As hundreds of people have been protesting peacefully for several days, some have had the opportunity to rob a business or throw things at them in law enforcement while hiding in the crowd.
To accommodate, LAPD changed some of its tactics. According to law enforcement agencies familiar with the plan, police are now issuing spray orders much earlier that day, targeting anyone who is throwing things right away.
Meanwhile, protesters have complained between police lines that they are being enclosed or “kettleded” and are effectively trapped. Law enforcement ranks are also boosted by mutual assistance from surrounding police agencies, which has increased its effectiveness, officials say.
LA County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman on Wednesday released charges that included assault on peace officers, arrests, vandalism, vandalism, commercial robbery and reckless driving on a misdemeanor against five individuals related to protests.
Hundreds of protesters marched from Pershing Square to city hall, where the sea otter warned protesters to leave the area. Dozens of LAPD officers supported by LA County Sheriff’s deputies have declared the rally as an illegal council.
Authorities fired the so-called less lethal ammunition and scattered the crowd. Police charged into the crowd on horseback, and several demonstrators fell to the ground. Officers pushed hundreds of protesters into Gloria Molina Grand Park, where they gathered and began chanting “shame.”
Times staff writers Andrea Castillo, Richard Winton and Hannafly contributed to this report.
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