NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Los Angeles police arrested several violent activists after issuing dispersal orders as protests erupted across the city on Friday evening.
Thousands of protesters gathered in front of City Hall in the afternoon, before many marched on the federal prison, where a mob of violent rioters swarmed the area, pushing over a large construction waste dump and blocking the door to the building’s loading dock.
The LAPD shared a video on social media of the unrest, adding that authorities fired pepper spray and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
“We had hoped that the protests today would be peaceful, however, as you can see in this video, the violent rioters invited the LAPD for their actions,” the department wrote.
SEVERAL ARRESTS AFTER PROFESSIONALS OCCUPIED NYC HOTEL DURING ANTI-ICE DEMONSTRATION
A protester attacks a police officer with a skateboard during the “National Shutdown” protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Los Angeles on Jan. 30, 2026. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said at a press conference on Friday evening that five people were arrested for failing to disperse. The LAPD did not immediately confirm how many people have been arrested.
The unrest came as cities across the country took part in “ICE Out Everywhere” protests after the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good involving federal agents in Minneapolis.
Bass warned protesters against Trump’s immigration law to remain peaceful, saying violent riots are counterproductive.
“I think that protests are very important, but it is important that these protests are peaceful, so that there is no destruction of property,” said Bass. “That doesn’t affect management in any way that will bring about any kind of change.”
Bass asserted that violent protests “are exactly what I believe the administration wants to see happen.” He added, “Don’t be surprised if the soldiers enter our city again.”
AGITATORS CALL TIM WALZ’S OFFICE AT THE MINNESOTA CAPITOL TO DEMAND FUNDING JUSTICE
The LAPD issued a dispersal order around 5:45 p.m. local time, ordering all protesters in the Alameda Street area between Union Station and First Street to leave or face arrest.
Police also put the city of Los Angeles on alert due to violent disturbances on Alameda between Temple and Aliso streets.
Demonstrators take cover behind a dumpster they’re moving to try to block police during the “National Shutdown” protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Los Angeles on Jan. 30, 2026. (ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
While some protesters dispersed, others remained and continued to throw bottles and rocks at police, according to the LAPD.
In addition, the department said authorities were being hit with “rubbish, bottles and other objects,” which led authorities to declare an illegal assembly at the detention center.
An aerial view of the anti-ICE protest in Los Angeles on Friday, Jan. 30. (KTTV)
“Protesters clashed heavily with officers after multiple orders to disperse were issued,” the LAPD wrote in X. “The Metropolitan Division is on the scene. Subordinate homicides have been authorized due to violence against the police.”
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., appeared at an earlier protest Friday, chanting, “ICE out of LA” in front of police in riot gear.
“What I see here in the cell are people exercising their constitutional rights,” said Waters. “And now they are trying to release the smoke that makes everyone cry. It is in the air but people are not moving.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
In his remarks, Bass also linked protests to the recent arrest in Los Angeles of former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who has been charged with conspiracy to commit extortion and violating the FACE Act for his involvement in an anti-ICE protest that disrupted church services in Minnesota.
“Here you have a world-renowned journalist, Don Lemon. No one doubts that he is a journalist and that he was arrested for doing his job and that they tried to stop him from doing his job, it was an incredible misuse of our justice system,” he said. “And I think about this every day that this is the 250th year of our democracy, and I wonder how much our democracy is going to be destroyed with this administration.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
