'ICE Out' protesters swarm downtown LA calling for immigration raids to end

Thousands of protesters turned out in downtown Los Angeles Friday in one of several planned demonstrations calling for the withdrawal of federal immigration agents.

The massive downtown protest was one of several “ICE Out” events expected in the L.A. region and around the country Friday and Saturday in response to the Trump administration’s immigration actions, which many have described as overreaching and unconstitutional.

It was overwhelmingly peaceful, but as night fell, some protesters clashed with Los Angeles police, which issued a dispersal order shortly before 6 p.m. The LAPD also cited “violent agitators” on Alameda street between Temple and Aliso in going to tactical alert. Television footage showed a group of protesters throwing objects at federal agents guarding the entrance to the downtown detention center.

Around 7 p.m., the LAPD said arrests had been made after objects had been thrown at officers, also resulting in "less than lethal munitions being deployed."

Crowds of protesters participate in an "Ice Out" demonstration in downtown Los Angeles.

(

FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

/

AFP

)

The protests are also in response to the killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti — both fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis — and the deaths of people held in ICE custody.

By mid-afternoon, there appeared to be as many as 5,000 people or more assembled downtown. Initially, many people gathered on Spring Street in front of City Hall and around a flatbed truck that was being used as a makeshift stage. Other protests were planned in Santa Monica, Culver City, Torrance, El Monte, Monrovia and Pasadena.

Later, the crowd moved along Temple Street toward the Metropolitan Detention Center. Shortly before 3 p.m., people were heading toward Chinatown.

Many carried signs with the words, "ICE OUT" and other pointed messages referencing the immigration raids and President Donald Trump.

People fill the streets during an "ICE Out" protest that became a march in downtown Los Angeles Jan. 30,2026.

(

Jae C. Hong

/

AP

)

Steve Frintner, 66, from Burbank was marching with his son and daughter.

"There's people who have been out here every time for these rallies, but there's got to be more of us," he said. "We all have to show that we're not going to stand for what this administration has been doing to our country."

Frintner said marching was a little tough for him physically, but he felt it was important to be there. In addition to the shootings in Minneapolis, he noted the fallout from ICE activity in L.A., Chicago, Portland and other cities.

"This is the kind of thing that in other societies our country fought against, and now we are seeing it happening on a daily basis," he said. "And I don't know how people can not see what the problem is."

There did not appear to be a large law enforcement presence early Friday afternoon. However, LAist reporters did spot a few Los Angeles city police and county sheriff's vehicles around the crowd perimeter.

Demonstrators sit in grass in downtown Los Angeles during an "ICE OUT" protest on Jan. 30, 2026. The protesters are calling for an end to federal immigration raids and reacting to recent fatal shooting by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

(

Frank Stoltze

/

LAist

)

Matt Carlin, 48, of Los Angeles said he decided to participate in the protests because he believes "a line has been crossed" by federal authorities, whom he repeatedly called "fascists" and accused of acting as secret police. He said the deaths in Minnesota were "disgusting" and "upsetting," but were the logical progression of an administration that wants to rule by fear.

"It's unacceptable and it's time for people to stand up," he told LAist. "And I think doing it on a weekday sends a stronger message, and not shopping and not getting on Facebook and Instagram."

He said it's important to show supporters of the Trump administration that "we're serious about this."

People gather during a protest on Jan. 30, 2026, in downtown Los Angeles.

(

Jae C. Hong

/

AP

)

Christina Sanchez Lopez said she and her husband gave their three children — ages 3, 6 and 8 — the option of going to school or to the protest. They chose the latter.

"We've had conversations about what ICE is doing," Sanchez Lopez said. "We're Mexican, we're in L.A., so we've had to have the real conversations with them.

"And they know to a certain extent how dangerous it is for families in L.A. especially brown people like us," she said, her voice quivering with emotion. "So it's important to them, it's important for me to bring my kids so they can see we're not alone, and we're all helping each other."

She said she is a "proud Mexican" born in the U.S., and that it is important for her and her family to speak up for those who cannot.

Uma Sanasaryan, 50, said she is originally from the former Soviet Union. She said she has seen people get "snatched up" in her Atwater Village neighborhood — a violation of human rights.

"I am an immigrant myself and we literally escaped Soviet tyranny to come to the United States so that we could feel free and have the freedom of speech and, you know, the ability to pursue our dreams," she said. "To do things with our lives that we could never do anywhere else."

Sanasaryan noted she is a naturalized citizen, but that doesn't ease her concern.

"They could come for me they could come for anyone," she said. "It doesn't matter anymore."

The Department of Homeland Security has said immigration agents were targeting violent criminals, but there has been ample evidence to the contrary.

Reports released last year noted that about half of the thousands of people held in ICE custody had no criminal convictions.