What began as a Fourth of July demonstration in downtown Los Angeles turned into a tense confrontation between protesters and federal personnel outside a major federal building.
According to Newsweek, the protest, opposing U.S. immigration enforcement efforts, grew increasingly volatile as demonstrators were met with military and federal agents, culminating in the use of less-lethal munitions and a mass dispersal order.
Crowds started gathering by 9:30 a.m. outside Los Angeles City Hall for what was planned as a protest against federal immigration policies. Chants criticizing deportations and U.S. foreign involvement echoed through the streets as marchers made their way through 1.5 miles of downtown streets.
By mid-afternoon, the demonstrators arrived at their intended destination—the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building on Alameda Street. This building houses the federal immigration court and quickly became the center of the unrest as protesters crowded its perimeter.
Marchers shouted messages like “No more occupation! No more deportation!” in protest of ongoing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. The climate turned tense as federal defenders, including U.S. Marines and agents with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), were seen positioned outside the building with riot control equipment.
Showdown Forms Outside Federal Immigration Building
The Los Angeles Police Department later confirmed via X, formerly known as Twitter, that protesters had begun confronting members of the National Guard and Federal Protective Service by the late afternoon. Authorities had reportedly prepared for unrest, given tensions sparked by an earlier protest in June, where crowds resisted ICE raids in the city.
According to independent journalist Anthony Cabassa, as the demonstration intensified, military forces and federal authorities donned tactical riot gear, including gas masks, in preparation to break up the crowd. He reported that law enforcement declared the protest an unlawful assembly and ordered everyone to disband. Cabassa also described a particularly volatile moment when protesters blocked a DHS van trying to access the federal building’s garage. He noted there were physical altercations between the military personnel and demonstrators as the sun set and the crowd continued to swell.
Authorities Disperse Protesters After Sunset Clash
By 10:17 p.m., a dispersal order authorized by a Los Angeles Police Department incident commander had cleared the area. LAPD stated that at that time, the crowd had fully disbanded and no major injuries were publicly reported.
The protest reflects ongoing tensions sparked in part by President Donald Trump's recent response to anti-ICE demonstrations. Following large-scale protests against deportation raids in Los Angeles on June 6, the president ordered the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines nationwide, a move that drew vocal opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
This led to increased federal presence across several West Coast cities, notably in facilities housing immigration agencies or courts. Demonstrations like the one on July 4 have become a flashpoint in the national debate on immigration enforcement practices and the militarization of urban security.
Federal Response Scrutinized As Protests Persist
Journalist Anthony Cabassa’s real-time updates during the demonstration highlighted the escalation, capturing images and incidents that circulated widely on social media throughout the night. His posts showed DHS police delivering dispersal orders while armored personnel formed barricades and used crowd-control tactics. He noted, "Tensions are very high, and protest size is growing as the sun sets," underscoring the growing unrest around federal enforcement of immigration laws and criticism over using military-grade responses to civilian demonstrations.
As public attention continues to focus on how protests are managed, especially in major urban centers like Los Angeles, critics and supporters of both sides weigh in on how to balance public safety with the constitutional right to speak out against government policies.
Calls for Accountability and Further Response Expected
Newsweek reached out to both the Department of Homeland Security and the LAPD for further comments, though neither had issued statements immediately, as inquiries were made outside standard business hours. At this time, no arrests or injuries have been officially confirmed by law enforcement, and no charges or citations have been publicly disclosed. Advocacy groups are expected to request investigations into the response tactics used during the demonstration.
With national attention drawn towards immigration enforcement and protests nationwide continuing into the summer, it remains to be seen how federal and state authorities respond to calls for oversight and policy changes. Many in Los Angeles and beyond will be watching closely.
