Immigration raids spark fear, anger throughout Los Angeles, police grasp the squirter

Amid protests and arrests storms in downtown Los Angeles, immigration authorities appear to be strengthening operations across Southern California as federal officials vow to suppress unfocused workers and residents.

Immigration sweeps spread fear and uncertainty throughout the region and forces some hiding places. Advocates say federal agents report in schools, workplaces and even outside churches, according to advocates.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Police Department officials reported an increasing success, amid a curfew at 8 p.m. this week, planning violence and property damage at the heart of the city.

Los Angeles has been the center stage of the national immigration debate since Friday when federal immigration officials were supported by armored vehicles and carried out an immigration attack in the downtown clothing area, with the government prioritizing the deportation.

The sweep was met with rapid and fierce opposition from community members who surrounded the scene to protest the law enforcement action. White House officials say more confrontations took place over the weekend at Paramount, and since then, agents have detained undocumented immigrants in pockets around the county — about two-thirds of people have no criminal record so far.

Masked federal agents detained at least 12 people from Downey’s business on Wednesday, but community members were able to stop them from catching an undocumented man.

In the video of the encounter, an unidentified person can be seen sitting on the ground, surrounded by masked agents, who chase him. ABC7 reported that the man found ice at work and rode his bike on his ice, but one of the masked men grabbed his tire and caused him to fall.

Melyssa Rivas recorded community members, causing the Federal Agents to question why they were chasing men. It is not clear what prompted the agent to leave the scene.

“It looks like a complete kidnapping scene, which is horrible,” Rivas told ABC 7.

Downey MP Mario Trujillo said in a press conference Wednesday that the raid was “causing severe damage and fear” in the community.

As the federal government's reaction intensified – first introduced the National Guard and then the Marines – so did the demonstrations.

At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, LAPD announced that they would arrest all protesters who remained in the city. Fifteen minutes later, the protests reduced dozens of protesters outside the county court.

The protesters seemed to have resigned and protesters began to sit on the road, writing bail support on their arms. More than a hundred law enforcement officers surrounded them in the neighborhood.

A day ago, Mayor Karen Bass issued a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. in much of downtown Los Angeles to quell violence and vandalism. Police said that night, 17 people were arrested for suspected curfew violations.

The curfew is expected to stay for several days, including the downtown civic center, including the city hall, the main county crime court, the LAPD headquarters and federal buildings, which are targeted by the protests and have caused property damage and arrests.

As hundreds of people have been peacefully protesting for several days, some have taken the opportunity to steal local businesses or throw things at law enforcement while hiding in the crowd.

In response, LAPD has changed some of its strategies. Police are now issuing a dispersal order earlier in the day and immediately throwing items against anyone, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the plan.

Meanwhile, protesters complained that they were released or “kettle” between police lines and were effectively trapped. The mutual aid and interaction between surrounding police agencies has also improved law enforcement and its effectiveness, officials said.

Los Angeles County. Atti. Nathan Hochman announced Wednesday that it included attacks on peace officials, boycotting arrests, conspiracy to commit vandalism, destruction of Vaderism, commercial theft and misdemeanors, reckless driving of five people linked to the protests.

Hundreds of protesters marched from Pershing Square to Town Hall on Wednesday night, with Los Angeles police warning protesters to leave the area. Dozens of LAPD officials supported by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Representative declared the gathering illegal.

Authorities fired deadly ammunition, causing crowds to spread. Police riding horses were rushed into the crowd and several protesters fell to the ground. The officers pushed hundreds of protesters into the Gloria Molina Grand Park, where they gathered and began to chant: “Shame.”

Times worker Andrea Castillo, Richard Winton and Hannah Fry contributed to this article.