Anti ICE Protest: Protesters Remain Resolute March in thousands on 101 Freeway Los Angeles, Clash with Security

Los Angeles, June 8–9, 2025 – A wave of intense unrest has swept through Los Angeles as protesters, enraged by aggressive ICE immigration raids and federal troop deployment, spilled onto the streets and highways, engaging in violent confrontations with law enforcement.

What’s Happening

* Thousands of demonstrators gathered in multiple parts of the city—particularly downtown and near the Metropolitan Detention Center—to protest recent ICE arrests.

* In a bold escalation, protesters surged onto the 101 Freeway, halting traffic in both directions. Riot police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, flash-bangs, and batons in an attempt to regain control.

* Fires were lit, vehicles were damaged—including one reportedly set ablaze on the 710 Freeway—and tensions surged near multiple commercial locations, signaling growing chaos.

️ Federal Response & Allegations of Lawlessness

* President Trump ordered the deployment of up to 2,000 National Guard troops under federal authority and placed active-duty Marines on “high alert.” He described the unrest as being driven by “violent, insurrectionist mobs.”

* Federal agents used aggressive crowd control methods to disperse demonstrations and secure immigration facilities.

⚖️ Political Fallout & State Pushback

* Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the federal deployment as “unlawful” and a breach of California’s sovereignty. He issued a formal demand for the withdrawal of troops.

* Mayor Karen Bass labeled the deployment a “chaotic escalation,” calling for protesters to remain peaceful while voicing concern about rising tensions in the city.

* Prominent political figures, including members of Congress, criticized the move as a dangerous overreach, with some warning that the situation is being used as a political distraction.

⚠️ The Stakes & Wider Implications

Civil liberties: This is the first National Guard deployment in California without state approval since the 1960s, raising legal and constitutional questions.

Immigration backlash : The protests were sparked by recent ICE raids that detained over 100 undocumented immigrants, intensifying public outrage.

Public disruption: Highway shutdowns caused major traffic gridlock and safety concerns, drawing national attention to the scale of the unrest.

Takeaway

Los Angeles has become the epicenter of a larger national battle over immigration, civil rights, and federal authority. The federal deployment of troops without state consent is unprecedented in modern times. As protesters clash with law enforcement on freeways and in city centers, the country is forced to grapple with the balance between security, protest rights, and the limits of executive power.