Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

[. . .] On June 6th ICE raids occurred in Los Angeles targeting textile workers in DTLA and Home Depot “for hire” workers in Pomona and Westlake.

This caused civil unrest among the immigrant related population in LA which prompted the administration on June 7th to federalize and send 2000 State National Guardmen reportedly to quell any violence. On June 10th Trump has authorized the sending of 200 more National Guardsmen. These actions prompted Mayor Bass and Gavin Newsom to cite the administrations actions as escalatory and and unnecessary.

[. . .] Meanwhile, ICE is raiding small businesses like car washes across the southland, snatching up and essentially disappearing workers, shattering families and creating terror in city that was fine a week ago.

The population of Los Angeles, which numbers 12 and a half million souls, is 48 cent Hispanic and 35 percent foreign born.

All of this resulted in all hell breaking loose in DTLA on June 8th.

Five Waymo cabs were burnt to ash, the 101 freeway was shut down by protesters who were corralled and driven back by teargas and a phalanx of local police.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol arrested 42 people while 5 policeman sustained minor injuries.

The LAPD confirmed that number and said charges include failure to disperse, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, looting and arson.

Donald Trump as of June 10th has authorized the deployment of 700 US Marines to LA.

The following photo sets will further illustrate the chaos that erupted in Downtown Los Angeles on June 8th, 2025 under the second Trump administration.

Story and photos: Trump's Immigration Theatrics Triggers LA Again (photo set 1) and Photo set 2 by Robert Stuart Lowden

In these even darker-than-usual times, there was a joyous, fun, and friendly atmosphere. Unlike the Pasadena Rose Parade, people tended to be amiable and considerate; there was a sense of co-operation.

Various organizations represented community services. Some advertised free STD examinations and treatment, including AHF. (Near the parade route was also a tent offering free STD tests.) Other organizations present included Extraordinary Families: A Program of Allies for Every Child (their banner read, “foster with pride, adopt with love”); The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health; and Planned Parenthood.

The several pro-LGBTQ+ churches represented included First Unitarian Church, United Methodist Church (Hollywood and Westwood), and All-Saints Church (with the slogan “you are loved”).

During a time when corporations are caving to tr*mp and other Nazis (e.g., Target discontinuing DEI and Pride flags), plenty of corporations are continuing to participate in Pride. In the Pride Parade these included various banks, airlines (e.g. American), Mattel (with the slogan “play is for everyone”), and media like Universal (“pride is Universal”) and KTLA.

Local businesses also had large parade entries, including The Abbey, Mickey’s, Hamburger Mary’s, and Out of the Closet.

Full story and pictures: WeHo Pride Parade 2025 (part 1) and WeHo Pride Parade 2025 (part 2) by Spectator