Heated Anti-ICE Protest in L.A. Ends with Unlawful Assembly Declaration

Apr 13, 2026, 2:33 AM

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A protest in downtown Los Angeles against the ongoing actions of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) grew heated Saturday afternoon, resulting in police declaring an unlawful assembly. The event attracted a few dozen anti-ICE protesters who gathered around noon, decorating the fence of the Metropolitan Detention Center with silicone phalli in various colors, including pink, purple, and human skin tones.

As the toys piled up outside the detention facility, some protesters spilled onto Alameda Street, carrying signs that read "Detention centers are concentration camps" and "No ICE." This demonstration is part of a broader wave of protests across the country, fueled by outrage over intensified federal immigration enforcement practices, particularly following the fatal shootings of two protesters and aggressive tactics employed by federal agents earlier this year in Minneapolis.

Around 12:40 pm, several LAPD vehicles arrived, instructing demonstrators to clear the street. An officer used a megaphone to announce, "Stay out of the street. You will not block traffic today." Although some protesters initially confronted law enforcement, they eventually retreated to the sidewalk in front of the detention center. As tensions escalated, LAPD officers approached the protesters on foot, leading to further confrontations.

By approximately 3:30 pm, the LAPD declared an unlawful assembly in the area, citing "acts of criminal behavior by multiple agitators." According to LAPD Lt. Bruce Coss, the protest was deemed unauthorized, and around 2:30 pm, officers observed protesters "obstructing the street" and "stopping cars," which prompted the evacuation order. Five individuals were arrested for failing to disperse as a result of the declaration.

By 4 pm, the street was cleared, with only a few dozen people remaining in the area—primarily members of the media. This protest follows the March 28 "No Kings" rally, which saw thousands converging in downtown Los Angeles, resulting in several arrests later that evening after more confrontational protests outside the Metropolitan Detention Center.

In a related incident, a teenage photographer reported being shot in the eye with a less-lethal projectile by a Department of Homeland Security officer during a previous protest. The University of Southern California freshman has since had his eye removed due to the injury, highlighting the escalating violence and tensions surrounding these protests.

As movements against ICE continue to gain momentum, the situation remains fluid, with activists vowing to keep fighting against the federal agency's policies. The events of Saturday serve as a reminder of the deep divisions and passionate responses that current immigration policies provoke in communities across the United States.

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