Los Angeles, CA – The city of Los Angeles was the scene of significant civil unrest and clashes on June 9, 2025, following early morning immigration enforcement actions conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The operation, officially titled ‘Operation Citadel Secure 2025’, targeted several neighborhoods known for their large immigrant populations, including Pico-Union and areas immediately surrounding the iconic MacArthur Park.
The enforcement actions by ICE officers focused on identifying and detaining individuals who had received final deportation orders but had not yet departed the United States. The operation, carried out under federal authority, resulted in the detention of approximately 50 individuals across the targeted areas.
Community Reaction and Organized Protest
News of the morning raids quickly spread through the affected communities, galvanizing local immigrant rights organizations and residents. By the afternoon, hundreds of individuals had converged on MacArthur Park to voice their opposition to the federal operation. The protest, organized by various groups including the ‘Los Angeles Immigrant Rights Alliance’, began peacefully, with participants carrying signs and chanting slogans against the ICE actions and broader federal immigration policies.
Organizers emphasized their commitment to peaceful demonstration and the constitutional right to protest. The initial hours of the gathering saw impassioned speeches and a visible display of community solidarity in the face of the enforcement activities that had occurred earlier in the day.
Escalation and Confrontation
The atmosphere shifted later in the afternoon as the large crowd moved from the park towards nearby streets. Tension flared as protestors encountered lines of officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Clashes erupted near Wilshire Boulevard, a major artery running alongside the park, leading to confrontations between protestors and police units, including specialized officers from the LAPD’s Metro Division.
During the escalation, authorities reported instances of property damage. Vandalism to storefronts in the vicinity of the clashes was observed and documented by law enforcement. In response to the volatile situation and damage, LAPD officers erected temporary barricades to control the movement of protestors and secure the area.
Arrests and Injuries Reported
The confrontations between protestors and police resulted in arrests. According to official statements, a total of 15 individuals were taken into custody by LAPD officers. The charges against those arrested varied, ranging from civil disobedience to more serious allegations of vandalism related to the property damage observed.
Both protestors and law enforcement personnel sustained minor injuries during the altercations. Officials confirmed that three LAPD officers and five protestors required medical attention for injuries sustained during the clashes. All reported injuries were described as minor.
Official Response and Calls for Calm
LAPD Chief Robert Garcia issued a statement later in the day confirming the details of the arrests and the number of officers and protestors injured. Chief Garcia addressed the police response and the efforts to contain the situation and restore order.
Mayor Karen Bass also addressed the events, acknowledging the community’s pain and frustration following the ICE operation. Mayor Bass called for calm and urged residents to express their views through peaceful means. She reaffirmed the right to protest peacefully while condemning the violence and property damage that occurred during the escalation.
The events of June 9 highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement in large urban centers like Los Angeles, where immigrant communities form a significant part of the population. The ‘Operation Citadel Secure 2025’ raids near MacArthur Park and the subsequent protests and clashes underscore the complex dynamics at play between federal enforcement priorities and local community responses.
