The Los Angeles Police Department issued a variety of dispersal orders in parts of downtown Los Angeles on Friday evening, after hundreds took to the streets to protest the widespread immigration raids that hit Southern California a few weeks ago.
On Friday, the LAPD said demonstrators blocked both sides of Alameda Street by placing traffic barriers in the road. Police issued a dispersal order around 7 p.m., ordering everyone to leave the area between Aliso and Temple streets.
Officials said the crowd quickly dispersed after, but that Alameda Street, between First and Aliso streets, and First Street, between San Pedro and Alameda streets, would remain closed until further notice.
At 8:28 p.m., police said all traffic was open on Alameda.
Just before 9 p.m., officials said units would be clearing the Sixth Street Bridge following protests in the area, and are issuing a traffic advisory requesting the public to not stop cars on the bridge.
Earlier in the day, ICE and anti-Trump demonstrations were also reported around LA City Hall and at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, where sports fans staged a walkout in the 12th minute of the LA Galaxy’s match against Vancouver. The fan group, Angel City Brigade, said it was “protesting the LA Galaxy administration’s silence in the wake of recent ICE raids, citing the lack of support for their community.‘’
Earlier in the day, as many as four people were detained by federal agents at around 11 a.m. on Friday at the Santa Palm Car Wash at 8787 Santa Monica Blvd., according to multiple media reports.
West Hollywood officials condemned the raid.
“On a day meant to honor the ideals of liberty, democracy, and freedom from oppression, we instead confront a deeply troubling reminder of federal overreach,” they said. “Independence Day should be a time for reflection and reverence, not fear and persecution.”
ICE officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday evening.
Earlier social media posts showed federal officials, including both Marines and Department of Homeland Security, clad in riot gear and moving protestors and reporters away from the Metropolitan Detention Center. Activists have since dispersed the area, reports showed.