For the third night in a row, a group of demonstrators gathered outside the federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown Los Angeles late Friday, continuing a series of anti-ICE protests that have again grown tense throughout the week.
Just after 10 p.m., protesters were seen blocking the roadway at Aliso and Alameda streets, waving flags and chanting as scattered traffic slowed to a crawl. An X post from LAPD’s Central Division warned drivers to avoid the area as demonstrators stood in the middle of the road, urging motorists to use Los Angeles Street for northbound and southbound traffic.
Video shared with KTLA showed people in the road, occasionally receiving support from passing cars, and some demonstrators shouting at LAPD officers and National Guard members in tactical gear. Federal officers reportedly requested LAPD backup around the same time for what was described as an assault on a federal officer, though no arrests were made and most of the crowd cleared the area by 1 a.m.
Friday’s demonstration was notably smaller and less confrontational than the previous two nights, which included multiple arrests and allegations of excessive force.
This string of protests began Wednesday following unconfirmed social media reports of immigration enforcement actions in the Los Angeles area, though ICE has not confirmed any immigration-related operations.
Authorities have not declared any of the three nights an unlawful assembly, and it remains unclear if the protests will continue into the weekend.
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