Protests that have ranged from peaceful marches to violent clashed between demonstrators and law enforcement officers continued over the weekend in Southern California, with well over 500 people arrested since deportation raids began June 7.
Police said 38 people were arrested during the No Kings protest Saturday in downtown Los Angeles, where tens of thousands of people assembled to denounce the policies of President Donald Trump. The LA rally was part of a series of simultaneous protests nationwide.
The downtown gathering was the largest of several held in Southern California counties. The demonstration began around 9:45 a.m. and was mostly peaceful until police ordered the crowd on Alameda Street between Aliso and Temple streets to disperse at about 3:45 p.m.
Police on foot and on horseback cleared protesters who refused to leave the area. By around 4:30 p.m., the LAPD used tear gas and less-lethal rounds after some people in the crowd reportedly threw bricks, bottles, rocks, fireworks and other objects. An hour later, police in riot gear and mounted officers began clearing protesters who remained.
On Sunday police arrested 35 people were arrested for curfew violations, one for failure to disperse, one for resisting, obstructing or delaying a police officer and one for resisting arrest, the LAPD reported.
Three officers were injured during the No Kings protest, according to the department.
On Monday, police said a 30-year-old demonstrator suffered a broken finger while police attempted to take him into custody and he allegedly resisted.
Since the daily demonstrations started June 7 to protest federal immigration raids in the LA area, police on Monday reported 575 arrests related to protest activity including vandalism and looting. Ten officers have been injured during demonstrations.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass had urged the crowds to remain lawful and said most of Saturday’s demonstrators followed that advice.
“Sometimes people who aren’t even a part of the main protest hang around, and then that’s where you can have trouble,” she told KTLA as an 8 p.m. curfew took effect. “I think that is happening off and on right now, but I do think at the end of the day, this will have been a successful, peaceful day.”
Ahead of the Saturday protest, Bass said public safety agencies took steps to prepare for the demonstrations. The LA Fire Department also arranged for extra personnel to be on call and deployed specialized medical aid teams to the downtown are.
The California Highway Patrol and the city’s Emergency Operations Center also provided tactical support and logistical assistance, respectively.
Bass last week said the 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew covering a 1-square-mile section of downtown LA would remain in place indefinitely.
After the curfew went into effect Saturday night, some demonstrators lingered and reportedly marched southbound on Broadway toward Sixth Street.
The curfew is for a portion of downtown between the Golden State (5) and Harbor (110) freeways, and from the Santa Monica (10) Freeway to the junction of the Arroyo Seco (110) Parkway and 5 Freeway. The area includes Skid Row, Chinatown and the Arts and Fashion districts.
The No Kings protests were meant as a counterpoint to military parade in the nation’s capital. The parade Saturday celebrated the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army.
Protesters returned to the streets Sunday following the No Kings event, as sporadic immigration enforcement raids continue throughout the Southland.
Last week, Trump deployed 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines after demonstrations attempted to disrupt continuing immigration enforcement operations. Saturday was also Flag Day the president’s 79th birthday.
Updated June 16, 2025, 12:31 p.m.
