Mostly peaceful ‘No Kings’ protest in downtown L.A turns tense after police escalation

On Saturday, June 15, thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of downtown Los Angeles as part of a nationwide protest against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement raids and erosion of democratic norms.

The “No Kings” rallies, which took place across the country, drew protesters from across Southern California. What began as a day of lively protest and community gathering in downtown Los Angeles, however, ended in tear gas, rubber bullets and chaos after law enforcement moved to disperse demonstrators. 

Throughout the late morning and early afternoon, the mood near City Hall was festive and non-confrontational. Although tensions have been high in previous demonstrations, the “No Kings” protests remained relatively pleasant throughout the day. 

Even drivers who got stuck in the middle of the protest traffic seemed to be in a good mood.

“Who cares about the traffic?” said Mark Rockwell, a Los Angeles County resident who sat in his car near City Hall. Rockwell, who had paused in his vehicle on the corner of Temple and Spring Streets, honked his horn in support. “I’m happy to be stuck in the middle of it,” he added. “So many good people are coming out to protest this horrible regime.”

On the streets, clusters of people danced to “La Macarena” in the City Hall Park Center. Just off Spring Street, a crowd gathered around a large art installation depicting the U.S. Constitution, while people chanted and waved flags. Along the sidewalks, local vendors sold hot dogs and ice cream, while volunteers moved through the crowd offering free snacks and bottles of water to marchers.

But just after 4 p.m., the mood shifted dramatically.

Officers in riot gear quickly formed lines along Aliso Street and, within minutes, issued a dispersal order over loudspeakers, citing unlawful assembly. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) — some on horseback —  moved in on demonstrators and began deploying crowd-control measures.

Without substantial warning, law enforcement began firing less lethal rounds into the crowd, causing confusion and panic among protestors. Demonstrators who had positioned themselves in front of the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building found themselves suddenly kettled and media personnel were also pushed back as people tried to escape the stampede of incoming police horses. 

One demonstrator, Andrew Guerrero, told CALÓ News he was shot twice with less lethal rounds during the police kettle. Guerrero is a UCLA law student and Harvard PhD candidate in carceral studies. He said he felt compelled to show up to the protest because so many of his family and community members are terrified to even set foot outside their homes. 

Guerrero confirmed that leading up to the police escalation, protestors had remained peaceful. “It was definitely the LAPD and law enforcement that initiated that violence by pushing forward unnecessarily,” he stated.

“They just started charging,” Guerrero recalled, describing how an older man was shoved by law enforcement. “He started getting hit with sticks, and then a couple of us, trying to help him, started getting hit with sticks. He got pushed. And then that's when I got shot—and other folks got shot too.” The older man, now identified as Arturo Abrego, was ultimately evacuated safely. However, Guerrero said that anyone who tried to assist Abrego was either struck by projectiles or trampled by police horses.

At the intersection of Alameda and Los Angeles Streets, officers paused temporarily to reposition and put on respirator masks. Shortly after, tear gas canisters were launched into the crowd near the overpass. 

Both journalists and demonstrators alike were caught in the chaos. Many reporters documenting the events were tear-gassed and forced to flee on foot. Footage and firsthand accounts of the incident are circulating widely on social media.

As the crowd dispersal turned increasingly disorganized, there was even confusion among law enforcement agencies. According to the LA Public Press, LAPD got caught in a crossfire of tear gas and less-lethal munitions — some reportedly deployed by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies. Uploaded radio transmissions underscore apparent communication breakdowns between the two agencies.

This is one of many documented escalations by law enforcement over the past week. The most recent incident raises fresh concerns about the use of force at public demonstrations and the treatment of members of the press during protest coverage.

Despite the abrupt end to the gathering, demonstrators emphasized that the day had largely remained peaceful.