Los Angeles Protests LIVE Updates
Los Angeles, June 10, 2025 – Tensions in Los Angeles reached a boiling point as escalating protests led to violent clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. In response to the deteriorating situation, former President Donald Trump, who has retained significant influence over Republican-led states and policy decisions, called for the immediate deployment of an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to the city.
The protests, initially sparked by the police-involved death of a 22-year-old Latino man in South Central LA, have now expanded into a broader movement addressing police brutality, racial injustice, and economic inequality. Demonstrators have flooded the streets for six consecutive nights, and what began as peaceful gatherings have turned increasingly volatile after sunset.
Protests Turn Violent
On Monday night, large groups of demonstrators converged around the LAPD headquarters, demanding justice and transparency. While much of the protest remained peaceful, isolated confrontations broke out in the downtown district around midnight. Protesters set dumpsters ablaze, smashed storefront windows, and clashed with police officers in riot gear.
According to the LAPD, over 120 arrests were made overnight, with charges ranging from vandalism and curfew violations to assault on law enforcement. Multiple officers were reported injured, including two hospitalized due to blunt-force trauma. Protester injuries were also reported, though an exact number remains unconfirmed.
Tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbang grenades were deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowd, drawing criticism from human rights organizations and local officials, who called the use of force “disproportionate” and “provocative.”
Trump’s Response
Amid mounting unrest, Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, calling for “law and order to be restored immediately” and blaming the Biden administration for a “failure of leadership.” Within hours, his team announced the mobilization of an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to assist California authorities. Though Trump is not the sitting president, his influence has continued to resonate in conservative-led military and policing policies in several Republican-majority states, which offered their Guard units under mutual aid agreements.
“We must restore peace in our great American cities,” Trump said in a video statement. “The chaos in Los Angeles is unacceptable. If the federal government won’t act, then we will.”
This announcement was met with sharp criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who accused Trump of stoking division and interfering in state matters. “California will handle this crisis through dialogue, accountability, and justice—not by militarizing our communities,” Newsom stated during a press briefing.
Community Leaders Call for Calm
Local activists and religious leaders have appealed for restraint on both sides, urging demonstrators to remain peaceful while calling on police to respect citizens' rights to assemble. Pastor Maria Delgado of the South LA Community Church emphasized the importance of nonviolence. “We cannot fight injustice with destruction. We need to organize, we need to vote, and we need to demand systemic change.”
Organizations such as Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and the Latino Action Network have been coordinating food drives, legal aid stations, and support tents for protesters, while also discouraging any acts of vandalism or violence.
Citywide Emergency Measures
Mayor Karen Bass declared a citywide state of emergency early Tuesday morning, authorizing an overnight curfew from 8 PM to 6 AM until further notice. Public transit in several downtown corridors has been suspended, and major highways are being patrolled to prevent protest-related blockades. Schools in affected areas will remain closed for the rest of the week, with classes shifting to remote instruction.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has also issued warnings after several small fires were reported in Koreatown and Westlake. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported due to the fires.
National Repercussions
The Los Angeles unrest has reignited national debate on policing reforms. Civil rights advocates are pressing Congress to reintroduce the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which previously stalled in the Senate. In response to the current protests, several Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Cory Booker, have renewed calls for federal oversight of local law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, conservative commentators argue that the unrest is the result of “soft-on-crime” policies and a failure to support law enforcement. Fox News pundits and right-wing social media channels have amplified Trump’s messaging, framing the protests as part of a broader breakdown in law and order under President Biden’s leadership.
Voices from the Ground
Many protesters say they feel ignored and pushed aside by a system that continues to marginalize minority communities. “We’ve been peaceful, we’ve marched, we’ve voted—and still nothing changes,” said 25-year-old protester Julian Reyes. “This is the voice of the unheard.”
Others expressed frustration at being portrayed as violent or radical. “We’re out here because someone died, not because we want to fight police,” said community organizer Alondra Vega. “But every time we take to the streets, they bring in the military. What message does that send?”
What Comes Next
As LA braces for another night of protest, the road ahead remains uncertain. City leaders have promised an independent investigation into the police killing that sparked the unrest, and the LAPD Chief has vowed full cooperation.
But for many in the streets, justice means more than disciplinary action. It means rethinking how policing works in Los Angeles, how communities of color are treated, and how long they must wait for meaningful change.
As of this writing, thousands remain mobilized across the city, and all eyes are on how state and federal leaders will respond in the crucial hours to come. Whether through continued protest or renewed political engagement, the people of Los Angeles are making it clear that they will not be silenced.