In a weekend marred by violence, ‘No Kings’ protestors clashed with law enforcement in downtown Los Angeles, resulting in injuries to both police officers and horses. The Los Angeles Police Department reported that the tumultuous events unfolded during a massive protest against President Donald Trump’s policies.

Thousands gathered at Grand Park Saturday morning, joining a nationwide wave of demonstrations. As the day progressed, the initially peaceful protest descended into chaos. A faction of the crowd engaged in aggressive behavior, targeting police officers and their equine partners with brutal attacks.

According to LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, what began as a large-scale demonstration was marred by the actions of a few. “As the day progressed, a small group within the larger demonstration engaged in violent assaults on police, acts of vandalism, and other unlawful behavior,” he stated in a Thursday announcement addressing the riot’s aftermath.

Among the incidents reported, glass bottles were hurled at two police horses, causing minor injuries. An LAPD official confirmed that the horses received treatment and were not seriously harmed.

One hotheaded protestor, or a group of protestors, threw glass bottles at the two LAPD horses, according to an LAPD official with knowledge of the incident.

The horses suffered minor injuries for which they were treated, according to the official.

The injuries to the two animals came after an LAPD horse in November was injured in a Dodgers celebration, the official said.

Video shared on social media showed a protestor attempting to block a horse with his body, and receiving several kicks from the animal.

The officer injured in the weekend’s demonstration suffered a fall, with minor cuts and bruises that did not require treatment, according the official.

Three crime reports were completed for assault with a deadly weapon on LAPD officers, according to the department.

Protesters, many masked and promoting anti-ICE, anti‑war and pro‑Palestine causes, hurled insults at cops with megaphones, calling them “scumbags” and daring them to confront the growing crowd.

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McDonnell said the worst mayhem in the protest occurred around the Federal Metropolitan Detention Center on Alameda Street.  

The fence in front of the MDC was vandalized, according to police officials. Protestors broke a concrete bollard into pieces and threw the fragments at federal agents, the officials said.  

Authorities gave initial warnings to the protesters, who chucked pink smoke bombs, pieces of wood and water over the fences.

After subsequent warnings, officers shot tear gas at the rioters and began detaining them.

Demonstrators attempted to climb the fence to gain access to the federal facility. One protestor threw a blue smoke bomb at federal personnel, police said.

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LAPD officers on the ground and in helicopters responded to calls from federal authorities for help and ordered the protestors to disperse. The crowd refused to go, triggering a citywide “tactical alert” used by the LAPD in significant emergencies or civil unrest.

During such an alert, all on-duty officers are held over past their shift end times and only urgent and critical calls for service are prioritized. 

Teams of LAPD officers worked to break up the mob, containing a group on Alameda Street and conducting mass arrests. Some demonstrators fled onto the MTA rail line, police said, while others threw projectiles at officers near Alameda Street and Temple Street.

LAPD made 72 arrests in total, including 63 adults charged with failing to disperse and eight youths charged with the same. One adult was charged with possession of a dagger.

McDonnell said the LAPD is committed to protecting peaceful protest, but violence is unacceptable.

“We must protect people’s ability to speak, gather, and advocate,” said McDonnell. “There is no place for violence, property destruction, and attacks on community members or officers.”