50 people arrested hours after hundreds gathered for another anti-ICE protest in DTLA

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Last updated: Monday, February 2, 2026 7:46AM GMT
ABC7 Eyewitness News

DOWNTOWN, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Two protests in downtown Los Angeles on Friday and Saturday were overall peaceful before the night fell, and smaller groups of demonstrators faced off with law enforcement.

Thousands of people showed up for the "ICE Out" protest on Friday. Then on Saturday, hundreds of people gathered for an anti-ICE protest outside of L.A. City Hall.

A peaceful protest in DTLA turned chaotic after nightfall. Video shows tense moments as police declared a dispersal order.

AIR7 was overhead on Friday as a group of protesters began targeting federal agents guarding the loading dock of the federal detention center. The crowd threw trash and debris toward the shielded agent, video shows. The agents fired back with pepper balls and irritant sprays.

In total, eight people were arrested during the chaos, according to LAPD.

One person was taken into custody for assault with a deadly weapon on an officer, one was arrested for a curfew violation, and six people were arrested for failure to disperse.

Again on Saturday, dispersal orders were issued, and an unlawful assembly was declared near the Federal Building.

Two protests in downtown L.A. on Friday and Saturday were overall peaceful before the night fell, and smaller groups of demonstrators faced off with officers.

AIR7 video shows fireworks going off near the intersection of Alameda Street and Temple Street.

Federal agents deployed tear gas after agitators in the crowd outside began throwing fireworks, rocks and bottles at them, according to police.

It appeared several people were lined up along a wall in handcuffs, likely being taken into custody.

In an update on Sunday, police said 50 people were arrested.

Feb 01, 2026, 5:34 AM GMT

Dispersal order issued for small group of protesters in DTLA, police say

A dispersal order has been issued, and unlawful assembly has been declared in downtown Los Angeles in the area of Commercial Street and Alameda Street.

According to Los Angeles police, demonstrators began throwing bottles, rocks and industrial-sized fireworks at federal agents in the area, and tear gas was deployed into the crowd.

Police warned that anyone who does not leave the area will be subject to arrest.

Eyewitness News crews on the ground said the peaceful anti-ICE protest earlier in the day ended, and the crowd left before a smaller group of demonstrators began to face off with law enforcement.

AIR7 flew over the scene and saw a handful of protesters in the street in the area shortly before 9:30 p.m. Fireworks were seen going off.

Carley Gomez Image
Feb 01, 2026, 1:06 AM GMT

Hundreds gather for anti-ICE protest in downtown LA

Hundreds of people gathered for another anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday.

Hundreds of people gathered for another anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday.

Tensions escalated on Friday night after the "ICE Out" protest also in downtown L.A.. Los Angeles police said eight people were arrested after demonstrators began to clash with officers and dispersal orders were issued.

Demonstrators hit the streets again on Saturday in protest of the Trump administration's immigrant actions. People are demanding federal agents to leave their neighborhoods.

This comes in the aftermath of the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota, which sparked national outrage.

An estimated 500 people gathered for Saturday's protest outside of City Hall. The protest was organized with a message to be peaceful, and was in accordance with the "ICE Out of Everywhere" national day of action.

The 50501 Women's March and Common Defense joined forces to organize Saturday's protest, with participants demanding Congress block funding to the Department of Human Services until federal ICE agents and Customs and Broder Patrol are removed from local communities. They say they hope the rally magnifies their voices for those who have lost their life in custody, as well as American citizens who have been killed while protesting.

"We're in the middle of something that has happened for years. This is a cycle that has happened. It happened with the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears, this happened with Nazi Germany, this happened with the transatlantic slave trade. We are repeating history, and we have the power to stop the cycle and do something about it," said high school junior Ava Pributsky.

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Feb 01, 2026, 12:59 AM GMT

8 arrested during chaos after protest in downtown LA on Friday, LAPD says

Tensions escalated when protesters started clashing with officers following the "ICE Out" protest in downtown Los Angeles on Friday.

Tensions escalated when protesters started clashing with officers outside the federal detention center following the "ICE Out" protest in downtown Los Angeles on Friday.

Demonstrators were seen throwing trash and debris at federal officers at the loading dock of the building.

Los Angeles police officers were called in to push the angry crowd back and restore order in the area.

In total, eight people were arrested during the chaos, according to LAPD.

One person was taken into custody for assault with a deadly weapon on an officer, one was arrested for a curfew violation, and six people were arrested for failure to disperse.

Rob McMillan Image
Jan 31, 2026, 11:09 PM GMT

Hundreds of anti-ICE protesters rally in downtown Riverside

Hundreds of anti-ICE protesters rallied in downtown Riverside, one of many such demonstrations across Southern California and nationwide.

Hundreds of anti-ICE protesters rallied in downtown Riverside on Friday, one of many such demonstrations across Southern California and nationwide.

The peaceful protest was held on the steps of downtown's historic courthouse, with demonstrators holding signs that said "Solidarity is the only way we win" and "Only we can save us! We must resist!"

"Policies are important but people matter more," protester and Riverside resident Edith Guillen-Pereda told ABC7. "I think it's really important to send a message of 'I'm tired of being tired and I'm tired of hatred.'"