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Protesters filling the streets. Helicopters circling overhead. Tear gas smoke drifted in the air. The National Guard deployed in the nation’s second largest city despite the objections of the state’s governor.
After a series of immigration raids across the Los Angeles area, demonstrators gathered in various parts of the city to denounce the arrests. In some cases people threw rocks at authorities. Law enforcement’s response—including tear gas, arrests, and the deployment of troops—transformed the city into a flashpoint over immigration enforcement.
By Sunday, hundreds of National Guard troops patrolled a federal building on the orders of President Trump, who bypassed state leadership in calling up the soldiers.
Though peaceful at times, the protests were tense, and demonstrators were met with tear gas, “less lethal” projectiles and arrests. State and local officials condemned the deployment of the National Guard, with many urging protesters to demonstrate peacefully. Through it all, freelance photographers Ted Soqui and J.W. Hendricks covered the events for CalMatters. These are their photos.
Federal immigration authorities face off against protesters during an ICE raid at Ambiance Apparel in downtown Los Angeles on June 6, 2025. Photo by J.W. Hendricks for CalMattersFirst: A person holds flash bang grenade canisters deployed by law enforcement during an immigration raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at the Ambiance Apparel clothing factory in Los Angeles’ Fashion District. Last: A crowd gathers near the clothing factory on June 6, 2025. Photo by Ted Soqui for CalMattersFirst: Police tape near the Ambiance Apparel clothing factory in Los Angeles’ Fashion District following an immigration raid by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on June 6, 2025. Last: Demonstrators protest against ICE immigration raids in downtown Los Angeles on June 8, 2025. Photo by Ted Soqui and J.W. Hendricks for CalMattersOfficers with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department fire “less lethal” munitions upon protesters in Compton on June 7, 2025. Photo by J.W. Hendricks for CalMattersProtesters clash with officers of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department in Compton on June 7, 2025. Photo by J.W. Hendricks for CalMattersFirst: An officer with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department puts out a fire in Compton on June 7, 2025. Second: A demonstrator carries rocks during a protest in downtown Los Angeles on June 8, 2025. Third: Police vehicles parked on the 101 freeway during a protest against ICE immigration raids in downtown Los Angeles on June 8, 2025. Last: California Highway Patrol troopers attempt to clear demonstrators from the 101 freeway in downtown Los Angeles on June 8, 2025. Photo by J.W. Hendricks and Ted Soqui for CalMattersCalifornia National Guard soldiers stand with shields outside the Federal Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, on June 8, 2025. Photo by Ted Soqui for CalMattersProtesters demonstrate against ICE immigration raids and the deployment of the National Guard in downtown Los Angeles on June 8, 2025. Photo by Ted Soqui for CalMattersProtesters demonstrate against immigration raids in Compton on June 7, 2025. Photo by J.W. Hendricks for CalMatters
CalMatters is a Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. It works with more than 130 media partners throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences, including Embarcadero Media.
