Just hours after thousands gathered in downtown Los Angeles for a day of demonstrations, the atmosphere shifted from calm to chaotic as escalating tensions prompted police to utilize tear gas. 

“The demonstration has moved onto the street. A DISPERSAL ORDER has been issued for all individuals present on Alameda south of Aliso and North of Temple to immediately vacate the area,” the LAPD announced in a warning on X.

“These violent rioters are fighting against LAW and ORDER,” the statement continued. 

Earlier in the day, LA Mayor Karen Bass pleaded with the public to protest peacefully.

“As people march across Los Angeles today, my plea is for everyone to refrain from giving the Administration a reason to intervene,” Bass stated during a news conference. 

“Let’s make sure we show the world the best of L.A. and our country. Let’s stand in contrast to the provocation, escalation, and violence of this Administration.”

This comes as thousands are protesting across Los Angeles and nationwide Saturday, June 14, against the Trump administration, which also coincides with a military parade in D.C. and the president’s 79th birthday. 

The protests follow several days of nationwide protests against federal immigration raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. 

California Highway Patrol (CHP) cars, some damaged, are lined up along the 101 freeway after officers cleared protesters from the area in Los Angeles, California on June 8, 2025.   (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna announced Friday that nearly a dozen deputies were injured during the ongoing riots after protesters launched rocks, Molotov cocktails and “high-grade pyrotechnics” at them.

Since Saturday, June 7, the LAPD has made over 500 arrests related to protest activity, according to the LAPD.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has continued to try and cast blame for the escalating protests on Trump, claiming that they were peaceful demonstrations before the National Guard and his rhetoric accelerated the conflict.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Newsom‘s office said that the Trump administration “didn’t even tap into the additional resources available to clean up their mess.”

“Let’s be clear: The National Guard wasn’t needed in Los Angeles. State and local law enforcement were responding, and federal agencies didn’t even tap into the additional resources available to clean up their mess. Calls for troops to handle a protest show a basic misunderstanding of how public safety works — which is rather shocking for someone who used to have a badge.”

Fox News Digital’s Alex Koch, Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, and Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report. 

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com