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Friday evening in downtown Los Angeles saw heightened tensions as anti-ICE demonstrators once again clashed with law enforcement. Whistles pierced the air while water bottles were hurled, escalating the situation. On the ground, video journalist Anthony Cabassa captured the unfolding scenes.
In response to the unrest, the Los Angeles Police Department initiated a tactical alert after protestors ignored orders to disperse.
While some media outlets like CNN, along with Democratic politicians, might frame these events as “non-violent” protests, those on the receiving end of thrown objects would likely disagree.
Earlier in the evening, the situation appeared to be de-escalating; however, the calm was short-lived as tensions flared once more.
It appears that the demonstrators are not heeding the guidance of LA Mayor Karen Bass.
The Los Angeles Police Department declared a tactical alert after protesters refused to disperse.
⚠️Community Advisory⚠️
Due to violent agitators on Alameda between Temple and Aliso the City of Los Angeles has gone to TACTICAL ALERT.
Federal Authorities are taking debris, bottles and other objects. Federal Authorities have declared an Unlawful Assembly at the Detention…
— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) January 31, 2026
Federal Authorities are taking debris, bottles and other objects. Federal Authorities have declared an Unlawful Assembly at the Detention Center and they have deployed pepper balls and tear gas.
CNN and Democrat politicians will likely describe this as a “non-violent” protest, but tell that to the people getting hit by water bottles:
Officials have shut down protests in downtown Los Angeles due to those the Los Angeles Police Department called “violent agitators.”
On social media, the LAPD said federal officials “declared an Unlawful Assembly” and used pepper balls and tear gas to disperse protesters who gathered for the “ICE Out” nationwide day of protest.
[…]
Aerial footage from Sky5 showed police have set up skirmish lines to push back the protesters.
Earlier this evening, things looked to be calming down — only to quickly heat back up again.
As of about 6:15 p.m., police “continue to gain compliance after the dispersal order was issued, however, protestors continue to remain and throw bottles and rocks at the officers,” they said.
A few minutes later, police clarified that “protestors are actively fighting with Officers after multiple dispersal orders were issued,” and less-than-lethal weaponry is being used “due to the violence against officers.”
It doesn’t seem as if they’re paying attention to LA Mayor Karen Bass:
Peaceful protest is a constitutional right. I urge Angelenos to exercise that right safely and not give this administration an excuse to escalate.
Los Angeles stands together.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 31, 2026
For Dem Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-23), meanwhile —who in 2018 encouraged supporters to publicly confront and harass Trump administration officials — there’s nothing to see here:
Los Ángeles, CA – I asked Rep. Maxine Waters and her thoughts on the protest turning violent, with multiple protestors and federal agents injured, she said she hasn’t seen any violence.
She just left the protest. pic.twitter.com/LridH0e6YH
— Anthony (@anthonycabassa) January 31, 2026
Although the LAPD says things are calming down at this hour, video is still being posted showing that there are plenty of angry protesters still creating mayhem:
BREAKING 🚨: Chaos, as LAPD are firing less than lethal into the crowd, multiple members of the media have been hit, including me. Police shot my legs as I was walking away from police line, and when I turned around they shot me twice in the stomach with less than lethal. pic.twitter.com/2fqLzKNXom
— Anthony (@anthonycabassa) January 31, 2026
This is an evolving situation, and RedState will keep you apprised of any further developments.