Los Angeles police arrested 50 protesters during rowdy anti-ICE rallies across the city over the weekend – as videos emerged of the chaos and one of the state’s top prosecutors called the agitators “anarchists.”
Most of the arrests occurred in downtown Los Angeles amid reports of escalating violence, including an alleged assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.
One person was arrested for a curfew violation, and six others were taken into custody for failure to disperse, according to ABC7 Eyewitness News.
First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli circulated video of protesters clashing with police as several federal officers are seen carrying a screaming protester. Officers wearing helmets and carrying zip ties repeatedly yell, “Get back, get back, get back,” the video sgiws
“We were prepared for violent agitators and successfully arrested those who crossed the line from protesting to criminal conduct,” Essayli told The Post. “We will not permit these anarchists to assault federal property or personnel.”
A total of 50 protesters — 47 adults and one juvenile — were detained and later released after a report was filed, LAPD confirmed to The Post.
An officer said authorities also received additional reports of assault with a deadly weapon on an officer, vandalism to a truck, and one injury report.
Only one protester remains in jail for evading a felony charge.
The LAPD did not comment on how many officers were deployed or whether they were working with federal officers sent in by the Department of Justice.
The protests began Friday and intensified into the night. By 9:20 p.m. Saturday, the LAPD ordered crowds to disperse, declaring the assembly unlawful, NBCLA reported.
“We’re not playing. We have surged federal officers to protect our property and our employees. I have authorized probable cause arrests for those who break the law, and they will be charged federally,” Essayli wrote on X on Saturday.
Aerial video showed fireworks being set off near the intersection of Alameda Street and Temple Street, where several arrests were made.
Federal authorities confiscated bottles, rocks, and industrial-size fireworks and deployed tear gas into the crowd, the LAPD said.
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