Photos: A fierce pushback on ICE raids in L.A. from protesters, officials

www.latimes.com

A series of surprise U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps in downtown Los Angeles on Friday prompted fierce pushback from elected officials and protesters, who decried the enforcement actions as “cruel and unnecessary” and said they stoked fear in the immigrant community.

Tensions remained high in downtown into the evening. The Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly and ordered about 200 protesters who remained gathered by the Los Angeles Federal Building to disperse around 7 p.m.

The use of so-called less-lethal munitions was authorized at 8 p.m. following reports of a small group of “violent individuals” throwing large pieces of concrete at officers, police said. A citywide tactical alert was issued shortly thereafter.

Protesters with their hands in the air next to two Mexico flags.

Protesters continue to march toward a law enforcement line Saturday as Los Angeles residents push back against the ICE raids in Compton.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles County Sheriff's officers stand around the perimeter of a fire.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officers control the perimeter of a fire that was ignited along Alondra Boulevard on Saturday in Compton.

(Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times)

Demonstrators hold up fists in protest in cars on the street

Demonstrators protest outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and the Metropolitan Detention Center in response to ICE raids in Los Angeles.

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

LAPD officers clear the streets and check on a man who fell down as protesters gather in response to ICE raids.

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

An anti-ICE protester throws back a tear gas canister.

An anti-ICE protesters throws back a tear gas canister at Los Angeles County sheriff’s officers on Saturday in Compton.

(Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times)

A protester carries the Mexican flag during a protest at night in Compton on Saturday.

A protester carries the Mexican flag during a protest in Compton on Saturday.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

L.A. police clear the street outside the Metropolitan Detention Center on Friday.

(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

Department of Homeland Security police arrest a demonstrator lying on the ground outside the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Department of Homeland Security police arrest a demonstrator during a protest outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in response to ICE raids.

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

A pair of immigrant rights activists walk past new graffiti saying abolish police.

A pair of immigrant rights activists walk past new graffiti denouncing the police while joining a protest over multiple immigration sweeps across Los Angeles by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Demonstrators near sunflowers protest outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Demonstrators protest outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and the Metropolitan Detention Center.

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

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