Protests erupted across multiple cities in the United States on Wednesday evening, following a day marked by relative calm. A video showing federal agents apprehending a man in Los Angeles sparked outrage on social media, contributing to heightened tensions surrounding the Trump administration's immigration policies.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass and leaders from over 30 smaller California cities called for an end to federal immigration sweeps, which they claim have instilled fear in communities. Bass criticized the raids, stating, “When you raid Home Depots and workplaces... you’re trying to cause fear and panic.” This statement came shortly after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that troops could be deployed to other cities if law enforcement was threatened.
At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the concerns raised by Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom, asserting that “left wing riots” would not impede ICE operations. In response to ongoing protests, Bass imposed an overnight curfew in downtown Los Angeles, which resulted in approximately 200 arrests for failure to disperse.
Protests also took place in cities such as New York, Atlanta, and Chicago, with varying degrees of police interaction. In St. Louis, a peaceful protest concluded without incident, while in New York, police arrested five individuals after clearing demonstrators from an intersection.
In a related development, the Trump administration filed a response to California’s request for a temporary restraining order aimed at limiting the deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles. The Justice Department argued that the state’s objections were without merit and emphasized the president's authority to deploy military forces as necessary.
As protests continued, reports indicated that more than 700 individuals had been arrested nationwide since the demonstrations began, with Los Angeles accounting for the majority of these arrests. The Los Angeles Police Department reported over 380 arrests, primarily for failure to disperse, while other cities also reported arrests related to protests.
In California, the ongoing immigration raids have particularly targeted carwashes, which employ a significant number of immigrant workers. Activists expressed concern over the raids, highlighting the emotional toll on families affected by detentions.
As tensions remain high, local leaders and community members continue to advocate for immigrant rights and call for an end to federal immigration enforcement actions that they argue disrupt families and communities.