Anti‑ICE protesters use dumpster to block DTLA federal building as they clash with officers
BREAKING: LAPD on ‘TACTICAL ALERT’ as clashes erupt between violent anti‑ICE agitators and agents outside federal building in Los Angeles pic.twitter.com/PrRVBy9e3r
— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) January 31, 2026
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Anti‑ICE protests in downtown Los Angeles turned chaotic as demonstrators clashed with federal agents after a large march on Friday, January 30. The protest was tied to a national call for justice in the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis.
Videos show protesters pushing a large dumpster to block the entrance of a federal building in downtown Los Angeles. The crowd can be seen moving forward and using the dumpster as a barrier.
As tensions escalated, protesters tore down security booths and threw objects at the building. The unrest led the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to put officers on a citywide tactical alert.
Anti-ICE protesters descend on Edward R Roybal Federal Building
Large crowds gathered outside LA City Hall on Friday as part of the nationwide "ICE Out" protest. The demonstration grew quickly as more people arrived and began marching through downtown streets and into Boyle Heights.
At first, the march stayed calm. After about an hour, a large group moved to the Edward R Roybal Federal Building. The situation changed there. Federal agents in riot gear were guarding the entrance near a loading dock. Protesters started throwing objects, and tensions rose fast.
🚨 BREAKING: Absolute MAYHEM breaking out at the federal facility in Los Angeles, as rioters descend on the building
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 31, 2026
Teargas and pepper balls being deployed by agents
WE HAVE TO STOP TOLERATING THIS! pic.twitter.com/DgQgXelS7J
The clash revolved around a large red construction dumpster, which protesters used to block the entrance to the detention center. At first, only a few people pushed the dumpster forward. Within seconds, more protesters rushed in to help, trying making it move faster and closer to the entrance.
As the dumpster moved forward slowly, other protesters stayed close and kept watch. They appeared to shield the people pushing it and block the view of federal agents. Aerial footage shows protesters ducking down behind the dumpster and using it as cover as they slowly move ahead of the entrance.
Other videos show federal agents firing pepper balls and what appeared to be tear gas. Agents did not move back, and some protesters were forced to retreat. A large pile of cardboard and debris was left near the parking entrance.
Other protesters damaged parts of the building. Some sprayed anti-ICE messages on concrete barriers, and others vandalized the structure. Around 6.30 pm, the LAPD used a helicopter to tell protesters to leave immediately.
The unrest led the LAPD to put out a tactical alert. Officers had to stay on duty. Many protesters covered their faces with masks or scarves, and some wore gas masks while agents tried to push the crowd.
Nationwide anti-ICE protests grow after fatal federal shootings
The anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles are part of a larger wave of demonstrations happening across the country. People are protesting against federal immigration policies and ICE's actions.
The protests grew stronger after two US citizens, Good and Pretti, were shot and killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Demonstrators are calling for less enforcement and more oversight of ICE and federal agents.
The rallying cry for Friday's nationwide protest was “No School. No Work. No Shopping,” meant to send a message to the Department of Homeland Security. The call led to a student walkout in New York City as well as protests in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Chicago, Washington, DC, and other cities.
