Over the weekend, parts of the city of Los Angeles once again became a riot hub, complete with structures and vehicles set on fire, cinder blocks and other dangerous objects thrown at law enforcement, and major thoroughfares intentionally blocked by thousands, impeding travel on LA's critical freeway system. Despite the mainstream media's promises to cover President Donald Trump and his actions more neutrally in his second term, coverage accompanied by images and videos of the violence was scant, a move that will surely shape public perception of what's happening in the city.
Protests erupted in the City of Angels on Friday, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids targeting illegal aliens at multiple city locations, including the Fashion District in downtown LA and a Home Depot parking lot, arresting more than 100 people.
The demonstrations turned violent when protesters clashed with ICE agents and the Los Angeles Police Department, hurling concrete chunks and prompting the use of tear gas and flash-bang grenades to disperse crowds. By evening, the unrest had escalated, leading to a citywide LAPD-issued tactical alert as approximately 200 rioters remained near the Westlake Home Depot, defying police orders to disperse.
