Small World, Big Issues

What began as an outrage against aggressive immigration raids in Southern California, quickly escalated to one of the largest protest movements in recent U.S. history. With the shooting of two Democratic lawmakers, LA united with grief and anger. This was the beginning of the ‘No Kings’ protests.

Why did LA Erupt in Protests?

On June 6, ICE conducted waves of immigration raids across Southern California. Agents stormed homes, workplaces, even schools, detaining alleged undocumented migrants ¹.

One video, in particular, went viral on social media: a video of ICE agents handcuffing people in a Home Depot carpark ¹. 

Protesters were seen attempting to stop ICE agents from taking the alleged undocumented migrants, including a person lying on the road to prevent the van from passing ¹. 

The clip sparked widespread outrage, and later that evening, a swarm of protesters were seen outside Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, demanding an end to immigration raids ¹.

LA’s Culture and Importance of Undocumented Migrants

LA is a city built by immigrants. Over one-third of its population is foreign-born ². Among them are nearly 900,000 undocumented immigrants ³, who work, live and contribute deeply to the culture of LA. 

“Everyone has family or knows someone who doesn’t have papers,” says Maria Gutierrez, a protestor in Paramount ⁴. 

They work in LA’s farms, restaurants and homes ⁵. Immigrants are deeply intertwined with LA’s identity. Protests erupted because to the LA community, the raids felt personal. 

The Protests Turn Chaotic

After the LAPD declared the protest area as unlawful, protests erupted in Compton, downtown of LA, and Paramount. Protesters chanted “You are not welcome here!” ⁶ and handheld signs read “ICE OUT OF LA” ⁶. 

Thousands of people have attended these protests in solidarity of undocumented immigrants, advocating for their residency in LA ⁷. 

Majority of the protests were peaceful, but tensions ran high. Objects, including an electric scooter, were thrown at police cars. A few stores and restaurants were looted and cars set on fire ⁸.

Police responded with teargas, rubber bullets, and mass arrests ⁸. 

Trump Sends in Troops Without Permission

On the evening of June 7, Trump authorised over 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles claiming it was to “address the lawlessness” ⁹.

Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass rejected the order, calling it unlawful. But at 4am on June 8, troops were deployed anyway – the first time since 1965 troops have been sent without the state’s permission ⁹. 

Militarising the Protests 

The move was widely condemned by state officials and advocacy groups representing military families. Californian troops were frustrated and have expressed discomfort being pushed into a political agenda as Trump’s pawns ¹⁰. 

A federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s order, ruling it unlawful. But the administration immediately appealed the decision, allowing the troops to remain in LA until the case is resolved in court ¹¹. 

LA residents fear that the military presence will escalate tensions, rather than ease them. Reported by AFP News Agency, protestors state that Trump’s call for troops is an “intimidation tactic” and “escalating” the situation ¹². 

Two Democratic Leaders Dead

In the early hours of Saturday, two prominent Democratic lawmakers and their wives were shot ¹³. 

One couple, Minnesota State Governor Mark Hortman and State Representative Melissa, were fatally shot. The other couple survived multiple gunshot wounds and are recovering post-surgery ¹³. 

‘No Kings’ flyers were found in the suspect’s vehicle, leading Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, to believe that it was a ‘politically motivated assassination’ ¹³. 

The alleged shooter, 57-year-old Vance Boelter was impersonating a police officer. The tragic deaths have shaken the nation and further ignited political tension in the U.S ¹³.

The Rise of ‘No Kings’

Following the shootings, tens and thousands of people have rallied across the country ¹⁴. The movement, known as ‘No Kings’ symbolises opposition against authoritarianism and support for democratic values ¹⁵. 

Major U.S. cities have planned synchronised protests on June 14, forming one of the largest protest movements in recent memory ¹⁶.

Though mostly peaceful, some protests saw bricks and bottles being thrown as well as riots breaking out.

Food for Thought

The topic of undocumented immigrants is often controversial. 

Critics argue that undocumented migrants break the law and steal opportunities from American workers. But research has challenged these arguments ¹⁷. 

In 2022, undocumented immigrants paid 96.7 billion in federal, state and local taxes ¹⁸, funding education, infrastructure development and disaster relief ¹⁹. 

Despite contributing significant amounts in taxes, they receive limited tax benefits, not receiving health insurance or Social Security retirement benefits ²⁰. 

Additionally, they also make up 25% of farm employees, 19% of maintenance workers, often working long hours for low wages ²¹. 

Despite their limited rights, undocumented migrants keep society running. 

Conclusion

The “No Kings” protests are more than a response to immigration raids, they’re a refusal to accept Trump’s policies, authoritarianism and political violence. What started in LA has become a nationwide stand for democracy. Whether these protests lead to real systemic change is uncertain. But one thing is clear: LA and the nation stood up and they’re refusing to back down.

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References:

Image 1: Demonstrators take part in a protest against the Trump administration during the “No Kings” national rally in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trump’s military parade in Washington, DC. © Ringo Chiu, AFP

Image 2: A Waymo vehicle burns as protesters clash with law enforcement in the streets surrounding the federal building during a protest following federal immigration operations in Los Angeles,, on June 8, 2025. Demonstrators torched cars and scuffled with security forces in Los Angeles on June 8, as police kept protestors away from the National Guard troops President Donald Trump sent to the streets of the second biggest US city.Ringo Chiu, AFP Via Getty Images

Image 3: Protesters confront a line of U.S. National Guard in the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, on Sunday, following the previous night’s immigration raid protest. (Eric Thayer/The Associated Press)

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