Enraged LA protesters flood the streets, say they are not afraid of Trump

Thousands of Los Angeles residents flooded downtown streets on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in outrage over Donald Trump’s controversial decision to commandeer California’s National Guard.

The protest caused significant disruption, including halting traffic on the 101 freeway.

However, despite their presence, the National Guard remained mostly inactive throughout the day.

Surrounded by protesters and a swarm of Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) cruisers, the guardsmen played a minimal role in managing the massive demonstration.

The protest was loud and energetic but largely peaceful.

It began near city hall and the federal courthouse.

Demonstrators were seen voicing anger at Trump and at federal immigration officers.

This followed mass arrests of undocumented migrants in the area two days earlier.

Protesters then marched to the Metropolitan Detention Center, where many recently arrested individuals were being held.

Nearby, around 50 National Guard troops equipped with riot gear and semi-automatic weapons had established a staging area near a loading dock.

Despite the heavy military presence, protesters boldly confronted the guardsmen.

Activist John Parker, using a bullhorn, shouted, “We’re not afraid of you!”

Protest signs mocked the troops, including one that read, “National Guard LOL.”

Surrounding buildings and walls were covered in graffiti, with messages such as “Fuck ICE,” “LAPD can suck it,” and “Kill all cops.”

Around midday, guardsmen accompanied by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers fired tear gas into the crowd, to allow a caravan of DHS and Border Patrol vehicles to pass through.

Although this temporarily scattered the demonstrators, many returned soon after, some wearing protective masks.

This marked the extent of the National Guard’s direct engagement with the protesters.

By early afternoon, the crowd had grown to several thousand as marchers from other parts of the city, including Boyle Heights and city hall, converged on the federal complex.

The gathering spilled into surrounding streets, stalling traffic, while drivers caught in the chaos honked in support.

The LAPD initially tried to disperse the crowd, warning of arrests. Dozens of patrol cars formed a barrier and attempted to push protesters back.

Riot officers deployed flash-bang grenades and fired rubber bullets, mostly into the air.

However, whether intentionally or not, LAPD vehicles boxed in the National Guard at their staging area, limiting their mobility and preventing further involvement.

As the protest split into two groups, one settled around Alameda and Temple Streets.

The other surged down off-ramps to the 101 freeway, blocking the major traffic artery.

Police responded with more flash-bangs to force protesters back.

Above the scene, crowds on overpasses shouted “shame!” and chanted profanities, some in Spanish, at Trump and federal authorities.

In contrast to other law enforcement agencies, such as the county sheriff’s department, the LAPD appeared cautious, avoiding the use of tear gas and refraining from more aggressive tactics.

The sheriff’s department reportedly injured a photojournalist with a “less lethal” round the day before.

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly condemned Trump’s decision to deploy the state’s National Guard without their consent, accusing him of worsening the situation.

By mid-afternoon, Newsom called on the president to revoke the order, criticizing it as a violation of state sovereignty.

“We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved,” he said.

Tensions remained high on the streets.

LAPD officers endured verbal abuse and were pelted with water bottles whenever they attempted crowd control.

In a few isolated clashes, officers arrested or subdued protesters who became physically aggressive or damaged police vehicles.

One fast-moving LAPD cruiser reportedly hit a cyclist.

Vandalism was sporadic.

Protesters spray-painted buildings and cars, damaged a few vehicles, and set fire to a line of Waymo autonomous vehicles, one of which had a shattered windshield.

Despite these incidents, most demonstrators focused on nonviolent expression, wielding placards and chanting slogans.

“This is not the making of a dictatorship, this is the description of one,” said a protest organizer identified only as Angelica R, citing fears of government reprisal.

She emphasized that the protests were an exercise of First Amendment rights in response to oppressive immigration policies.

The National Guard’s preparedness and intentions were unclear.

While Trump requisitioned 2,000 troops, only about 300 were reported in Los Angeles.

Early in the day, some guardsmen seemed disengaged, posing for media photos with visors up and sunglasses on despite cloudy weather.

Mayor Bass criticized their presence as “posturing,” while Representative Maxine Waters mockingly asked, “Who are you going to shoot?”

It was only after the protests intensified that the guardsmen assumed a defensive posture with riot gear.

The sheer size of the demonstrations caught authorities off guard.

LAPD cruisers raced between city hall and the federal complex in apparent confusion, while protest leaders struggled to coordinate movement amid the sea of thousands.

As calls to redirect to city hall were made, demonstrators instead collided with crowds marching in the opposite direction, evidence of a mass protest whose scale and momentum few had anticipated.

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