Escalation in Los Angeles: Police Deploy Tear Gas and Stun Grenades
Tensions in Los Angeles reached a boiling point as law enforcement officers resorted to tear gas, stun grenades, and baton rounds to disperse ongoing demonstrations. The protests, which have persisted for nearly a week, erupted in response to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the city.
Heavy Police Response to Growing Unrest
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), supported by the California Highway Patrol, reportedly discharged around 600 baton rounds in an effort to control the crowds. Alongside this, officers used pepper balls—projectiles that release irritating pepper spray—and physically wielded batons made from wood, metal, or polycarbonate to manage protestors and restore order.
Following a citywide curfew imposed by Mayor Karen Bass, over 200 individuals were arrested during Tuesday’s clashes.
Medical and Expert Warnings on Crowd-Control Weapons
Medical experts have raised alarms about the dangers posed by these crowd control methods. Dr. Rohini Haar, a medical adviser specializing in human rights, emphasized that weapons such as stun grenades, tear gas, and projectiles have a documented history of causing fatal injuries.
Echoing this, Kieren Doyle, a senior researcher tracking conflict-related events, characterized the current confrontations as the most intense in Los Angeles since the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.
Protests Sparked by ICE Raids and Political Backdrop
The demonstrations ignited in the wake of aggressive immigration raids by ICE within the city’s limits. In response, the federal government deployed thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles to suppress the unrest, despite opposition from California’s Governor Gavin Newsom.
President Donald Trump ordered an initial deployment of 2,000 National Guard personnel, later reinforcing this with an additional 2,000 troops and 700 Marines.
Destruction and Looting Amid Demonstrations
On Wednesday, unrest spilled into downtown Los Angeles, where protestors targeted various retail locations. Stores including Apple, Adidas, local jewelry shops, cannabis dispensaries, and pharmacies suffered vandalism and theft. The Apple Store on Broadway experienced smashed windows and stolen merchandise, while graffiti defaced the nearby Japanese American Museum.
Political Fallout and Continued ICE Operations
In the wake of these events, President Trump publicly criticized California state officials and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their handling of the escalating situation, demanding apologies for what he described as mismanagement. Meanwhile, the federal government has signaled that ICE raids will persist in Los Angeles through the coming month.
As Los Angeles grapples with this surge in unrest, the city remains on edge, caught between demands for justice and the challenges of maintaining public safety.
