Federal officials followed multiple immigration raids around Los Angeles on Friday with another one Saturday morning, this time at a Home Depot parking lot in Paramount.
And once again, protesters turned out in force.
The U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid at the Home Depot at 6400 Alondra Blvd., drew crowds that turned over shopping carts and other objects that were left in the street, while federal authorities in riot gear stood by.
The street filled with smoke from tear gas canisters and at least one protester could be seen on the ground bleeding in news footage, though the nature of the injury wasn’t clear.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that deputies were dispatched at about 11 a.m. Saturday to the Home Depot for traffic control and “general public safety” in response to federal activity there.
“What took place in Los Angeles yesterday was appalling,” ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons said in a statement Saturday. “As rioters attacked federal ICE and law enforcement officers on the LA streets, Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.
“Our brave officers were vastly outnumbered, as over 1,000 rioters surrounded and attacked a federal building. It took over two hours for the Los Angeles Police Department to respond, despite being called multiple times. The brave men and women of ICE were in Los Angeles arresting criminal illegal aliens including gang members, drug traffickers and those with a history of assault, cruelty to children, domestic violence, robbery, and smuggling.
“These violent rioters will be held accountable if they harm federal officers, and make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens. Sanctuary politicians would do well to remember that impeding our efforts only endangers their communities, law enforcement officers, and the detainees they claim to support.”
Also on Saturday, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino warned that some protesters could be prosecuted following Friday’s disturbances in downtown Los Angeles in respons to the raids.
“The right to assemble and protest does not include a license to attack law enforcement officers, or to impede and obstruct our lawful immigration operations,” Bongino wrote on X. “We are thoroughly reviewing the evidence from yesterday’s incident in Los Angeles and we are working with the US Attorney’s Office to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“The days of chaos ruling the streets are over,” Bongino said. “Either obey the law, or go to jail, there’s no third option.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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