Police Disperse Unlawful Assembly at Los Angeles Protest

Police in Los Angeles declared an unlawful assembly on the evening of March 16, 2024, and issued a dispersal order for demonstrators gathered near the Metropolitan Detention Center. The protests, part of the “No Kings Day” events, had drawn significant crowds earlier in the day, but tensions escalated as night fell.

The situation intensified around 19:00 local time when the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) instructed those gathered to leave the area between Alameda Street and Aliso Street. In a message shared on social media, the LAPD stated, “A dispersal order for the area of Alameda between Aliso and Temple has been ordered … All persons in the area of Alameda and Aliso/Commercial must leave the area. All persons in the area have 15 minutes to comply. If you remain in the area you may be subject to arrest or other police action.”

The protests earlier in the day were marked by calls against various policies attributed to President Trump, including his administration’s stance on transgender rights, foreign policy, and immigration enforcement. Demonstrators voiced opposition to plans for deporting undocumented immigrants and criticized the administration’s handling of the federal government shutdown and university funding.

The Metropolitan Detention Center has emerged as a focal point for anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sentiments. As the evening progressed, confrontations between police and protesters increased, leading to the deployment of nonlethal crowd control measures. The LAPD used tear gas and nonlethal projectiles to disperse the crowd, which included a line of officers on horseback attempting to push back the protesters.

By 20:30, the situation had calmed significantly, with many demonstrators choosing to leave the vicinity of the detention center. Police worked to reestablish a presence on the streets adjacent to the federal facility. As of 21:00, the LAPD reported no arrests had been made during the confrontations.

The events in Los Angeles reflect broader national tensions surrounding immigration and civil rights, as protests have erupted in various cities across the United States. The response of law enforcement to these gatherings continues to draw scrutiny from both activists and community members as they navigate the complex dynamics of public protest and police authority.